This is topic Carpal Tunnel & LD/any info? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by Punkie (Member # 5402) on :
 
My both hands are extremely painful for over 18 month. They can be numb, tingle or burn. It disturbs my sleep quite a lot.

As I though it is another LD symptom which will dissapear, I tried to pull through it. But the evoked potential test found complete breakage of my nerves in carpal tunnel.

I asked about some physical therapy, but neuro said it's way past that point.

He wrote for one hand endoscopic and the other needs "big" cut, due to extensive damage.

Can LD mimic Carpal Tunnel including nerve testing. Neuro is not LLMD, so he thinks his testing machine doesn't make mistakes (plus I didn't jump while he was poking my hands with sharp needle, which is complete opposite when he touched healthy nerves in ohter parts in my body.

Again, I appreciate any information. The cause of my Carpal tunnel is underactive thyroid.

Thank you for your help and support.
Punkie

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Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
 
Hi Punkie,

I am so sorry that you are in so much pain.

Yes, CT has been definitely linked to LD. I will try and pull up some info for you...

 


Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
 
OK...here is an expanded symptom list with citations. Go to page 20 for CT:
http://www.lymeinfo.net/medical/LDSymptoms.pdf
 
Posted by Areneli (Member # 6740) on :
 
I don't feel like an expert and wish could know more in this field but the results of the tests you had indicate that you have CT. In LD these tests come negative or almost negative. In LD the most profound symptom is numbness of hands (particularly during sleep) not pain.
 
Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :
 
Punkie,

I had nerve conduction studies done for neurpathy in March 05. I have worn 2 wrist splints for 20 years.

When he did the various testings, I jumped like you wouldn't believe especially the SHOCK treatment. The numbers showed I did NOT have carpal tunnel; go figure!

bettyg, Iowa
 


Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
 
Hi Punkie,

I have always had severe pain in my hands especially the right hand. So bad sometimes that I can't pick up a coffee cup. It does wake me up at night. I notice it more often when I am herxing.

My GP some years ago (before I knew I had LD) put me on steriods for what he called tendinitis or carperl tunnel. It did help the pain, but shortly after that the rest of my body went down hill, and the pain in my hands returned.

In my opinion, when you get the Lyme under control, your body will start healing.

Sorry I can't be more help. Just letting you know your not alone.

Lisi
 


Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :
 
I have to agree with the posts that suggest you have CT as well or because of lyme.
The tests I have had done were all negative for nerve dammage yet I had the painful symptoms of PN and CT.

Rather than pain at night I have numbness.

The fact that you were treated with steroids in your hands may have contributed to the demise of you nerves in that area as did the steroids used on my knees probably contributed to the osteo or lyme arthritis in them culminating in replacement.

I believe most lymies have symptoms and negative test results for whatever the symptom is supposed to designate. However it is always a good thing to have the test just to rule out other causes.

I would get a second opinion if I were you as it sounds like your duck is scalple happy!!............................zman

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Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on :
 
Sorry your hands are in such trouble. I too had pain, tingles and numbmess in my hands, usually in the mornings, before lyme treatment. These symptoms lessened within weeks of beginning long term oral abx and were gone in a few months.

Lyme is a disease of the central nervous system and still poorly understood. So anything is possible. You may indeed have perminant damage, but I would certainly do more research and get more opinions before I had surgery.

Are you being treated with abx?

Mel
 


Posted by burnbitter (Member # 7088) on :
 
I actually had the nerve testing done and was told that my ulnar nerve (elbow). I found a good hand therapist who did some myofascial therapy on the thoracic outlet and it's magically lots better. Improving my posture also helped greatly.
So don't give up... physical therapy might help.

 
Posted by Punkie (Member # 5402) on :
 
Thank you for all the informative replies. It really makes a difference to have a group of real life experts like this.

I had never been on stereoids more than one dose in a year or two. So I don't think this can atribute to the CP.

The result of the sensory nerve conduction and EMG needle electrode test is perfectly compatible (positive) with bilateral SEVERE carpal tunnel syndrom.

The neuro recommends decompression of both median nerves at the wrists. The longer I would wait the more damage (and more sleepless nights and more narcotics for pain).

So I made a decision to go for it while I'm not working, and trying to decrease my pain meds as much as I can. I'm still having second opinion with the test before the surgery.

Thank you again, and wishing you happy summer days.
Punkie

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Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
 
Punkie,

Please do a lot of research and heavy thinking before going under the knife. I have heard of many people getting surgery for CT, going through tremendous pain from the surgery, only to have the CT come back a few years later.

I know a massage therapist and a Feldenkrais practitioner who have both seen CT reverse in individuals who had some type of hands on therapy and learned new habits. I personally think surgery should always be a last option when you aren't dealing with a life or death situation. I know the pain can be tremendous from CT, but make sure you know what the results will really be.

I didn't have CT, but was diagnosed with severe tendonitis in my hands. One doctor told me to find a career that doesn't require computer use. After starting Lyme treatment, taking a muscle relaxer and working with an incredible physical therapist, I can spend 14 hours at a computer pain free, and I do many days.

CT doesn't just happen. It usually occurs because of the way you use your hands. If you don't change that, it won't get better.

It also makes perfect sense to me that Lyme can be a contributing factor, because it causes inflammation in the muscles, tendons and joints that could add to the pressure or change the way you position your hands and wrists. So, if you get surgery and still have the Lyme, the CT might come back.
 


Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
 
Hi Punkie
Three years or so after I got Lyme
both of my wrists got CT.
It would come and go --some times quickly--
this went on for Many years.
I had joint pain all over my body--

It would move from joint to joint.
I never knew what was going to hert
next--Pain was Extreme--
Docs thought I was crazy--

About 10 years after getting Lyme
a friend of mine who dose research
for Large pharmicutcal companies
( he gets paid to read books and
research papers-then write reports
on what he learned--what a great job)

My friend suggested I try
Glucosamine Sulfate for joint pain.
There was little info on its
use in people--It has been used by
Vets on horses for many years tho-

My friend found me some--it was very
expencive at the time-$75-60 capsuls
Now about $15 for large bottle.

I was able to feel the Good effect
in 3 Days--

All my joint pain did not go away but
it was Much Much Better.
Glucosamine Sulfate is not a pain killer-
it rebuild the cartlage in your joints.
It Really dose work-- It has for me.
It also helps with tendon and muscle
problems. I have no doubt that I would
be in a wheel chair by now if I had
not been taking it.

My father who was about 80 years old
could not get out of his chair or walk
because of joint pain.
My father is from the
old school--He never complains about
anything and you cant tell him ****--

The only person that can tell him what
to do is my Mom---

So my Mom and I discused it and I sent
my Dad 3 bottles of Glucosmine Sulfate--
My Mom Made him take it--In 2 months
of taking it --he went from -
cant get out of his chair--to riding
his bicycle 6 miles almost every day.

He is now back to his old self--
walking around and Not listening to
any body--except my Mom--

For most of the time that I have
been taking it- I did not know I
had Lyme disease--I figured it out
2 years ago.

A few years ago I worked for a Large
health food store here in Austin for
4 years--I was a cashier--so I got
to talk with Most of the customers
and got to know them--

The customers that had joint problems-
-CT-- ect. I would suggest they try
the Glucosmine Sulfate--
I told them how good it has
worked for me--Most folks would try it--
We sold it at the store-

I talked to these people all the time.
I asked them how it worked for them--
I kept track of results and I figured
that more than 80% had Very good
results-- I had over 200 customers
come over and thank
me for telling them about it.
Im not kidding.

For most people it seams to take
about 3 weeks or a month for good effect.
Many --including myself got good
effects in days.
I take 2000mg a day-- the more I
take per day
the better it seams to work.
Dont go overboard.
2000mg seams to be the right amount
for me-- 150 lbs.
Get -Glucosamine Sulfate-

Dont get if it says HCL on label-
--Cheeper but not near as good--

Lyme causes some type of CT - For Sure-
no doubt in my mind-

Before I would get carved on I would
Sure Give it a try-

Glucosamine Sulfate is not Majic
-But VERY Close To IT--Jay---





 


Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
 
CT is actually not an arthritic joint problem. It is that there is compression on the nerve. That is why some people benefit from massage or other hands on therapy, because it relaxes the connective tissue re-opening the pathway for the nerve.
 
Posted by Punkie (Member # 5402) on :
 
What a great group of people this message board has! I think you can open the best clinic for most sick people in the world.

Before I go to a doctor, I always consult the ones with the experience. And it always pays off.

This time I will have to do it little different way. I decided to decrease my opioid pain meds to minimum, as they are shutting my body functions one after another.

So I'll try to eliminate most sources of pain. I take glucosamine, but it seems that MSM is building my cartilige better (my knees have in 3 years 2mm of cartilage more, so I could cancel both knees replacement surgery).

I do adjustments quite often, as several migraines a day mess up my neck and shoulders.

Massages (from one and only person) have a great relief for me - she can open the flow of spinal fluid from head thoughuot the whole body.

I don't work with my hands too much. My carpal tunnel is related to failure of Thyroid, which is a result of Pituatury gland tumor or blood clot and HUGE doses of opioids (they shut down my whole endo. system including adrenal glands and thymus).

I'm having second opinion done on Friday, using newer nerve testing machine. I'll agree only to endoscopic procedure if necessary. My endo doc wants me to go to in-patient detox, so I can kill 2 birds in 1 shot.

I'll post the result of my second appointment this weekend. By then my pain meds should be much lower, so may be I'll start thinking better. Cortef (Hydrocortisol) is a miracle drug for me, but I still require around 140-180 mg/day (goal is for 20 mg in am and 10 mg atbed time).

Have a great weekend!!! And THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!!
Punkie

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