Pain and loss of strength in hands

[GucciBear]

Everyone, this is a little off subject so I thought to place in unused section of the forum per Dr. B's suggestion.

Over the last 2 years my hands have started losing strength in that 1) I cannot grip as hard as I used to, so opening jars is difficult and 2) if I'm holding something heavy with my fingers only, I sometimes drop it unexpectedly.

Also, if I grip something too hard, I experience stinging in my palm and wrist area well after the grip is over causing me to have to splay my fingers as far as I can to stop the stinging.

I do plan to visit the doctor, but I'm hoping to get more info before going in, so I can have a productive doctor visit.  Has anyone else experienced this or something like it?

Thanks in advance for any response.
GB

[Judith]

I haven't but a friend of mine does.  With her it stems from one of the vertebrae in the neck region where she's had an ongoing prob..  Definitely get to a doctor.  She had been told NOT to go to a chiro for this by her doc who himsef goes to one for certain things.

Judy

[Jag Lady]

This could be a multiple of things, including problems originating in the neck.  It sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome also...you might try some wrist splints to see if that makes any difference.  You can buy those at any drug store without a prescription, and I don't think they're very expensive.  It could also be something in the elbow pinching nerves too.  I agree that you should not go to a chiropractor but a medical dr., even an orthopedic dr.  Good luck, and let us know what you find out.

[Inky]

Ouch, GB!

It does sound like carpal tunnel (been there, done that).  You can get referred pain in the shoulder too, and the pain seems to get worse at night.  I had to start out wearing wrist splints on both arms at night.
Oddly enough, women who are pregnant can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which often goes away after delivery. Carpal tunnel develops from repetitive motion -- grocery clerks often get this from repeated scanning of items through the check out lines.  Your Dr. may tap your wrist with a reflex hammer, which will send a feeling like an electric shock up your arm. Not a "bad" sensation, just an odd one.  Numbness and tingling in the fingers is quite common, as is loss of strength. Do have this checked out, and keep us posted!                               Inky

[GucciBear]

Thanks so much for the info and support!  It has helped me add to my list of potential contributing factors to show the doctor.  I just hate forgetting something that might effect their test suggestions and diagnosis.

I chuckled when I read your notes; each one rang true to something I've been feeling or doing.  I know it's terrible to let this go on for 2 years.  It really started out so subtle that I reasoned away the symptoms....until the sting/ache feeling intensified. 

I will look into the wrist splints immediately.  I work at my computer hours on end, so these can only help no matter what the problem is.  I (shamefully  ) must admit I adjust my neck and back constantly.  I will stop that immediately, too.

Again, thanks guys.  I'll keep you posted.

GB

[Jag Lady]

I would definitely try some wrist splints after reading that you spend hours on the computer.  That is one of the biggest causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a repetitive strain injury.  You can also buy a device that you put in front of your keyboard that keeps your hands and wrists in an anatomically correct position...you might look into that as well.  I have it in both of my wrists/hands but my main symptom is my hands go to sleep, esp. at night.  It's pretty hard to turn off an alarm clock when I've got "blocks of wood" at the ends of my arms, which is what it feels like some mornings.

[mellie137]

It sounds very much like what I had a year or so ago. I have several employees who have had CT surgery and all had a negative surgical side effect. I had gotten where opening or pushing a door caused excruciating pain; I couldn't open jars and needed both hands to turn on the water faucet. Interestingly, typing did not hurt even thought that is what probably caused my condition.  What I did: sleep with spints, take the homeopathic remedy rhus toxidendron, take ibuprofen for the pain, set an alarm/timer at the office to remind me to take 5 minute breaks from typing once an hour (I used this for short meetings, phone calls, organizing my office, etc.)
I also did excercises/stretches:
* I wrapped a rubberband around my fingertips for resistance as I splayed my fingers several times.
* stretch wrist gently backwards with other hand to stretch forearm
* use one hand as resistance against the other to do wrist excercises (up, down, side, other side)
* squeeze a little palm size stress ball
I found the excercises by googling carpal tunnel and physical therapy, but don't remember the site.

After about a week I felt significantly better. I continued the rhus and splints and excercises for about 3 weeks before I felt normal. I still use the splints and excercises when my wrists feel achy, which is only about once a month.

My massage therapist tells me she was able to help her mother avoid surgery with massage therapy.

Hope this helps.

[GucciBear]

Mellie, thanks very much!  This is a big help.  I'll look into the Rhus toxicodendron and try the exercises.  It makes sense if certain motion causes carpal tunnel than other motion should be able to counter act.

JagLady, my alarm has a snooze button on top, so hopefully I'll be able to hit it with the splint.  If that doesn't work, at least I'll wake up laughing at image of myself trying to turn the alarm off. 

Five years ago, I had a computer mouse called Smart Cat that was similar to what you see on laptops.  I could just slide my fingers on the grid without ever moving my wrist or arm.  Technology advanced, so the mouse didn't work well with the new operation systems.  I think I'll check into updated versions and the keyboard.  My desk is TOO high at work, so I can see where my wrists are dropping to accommodate the height difference.  I’ll talk to my boss about that.

I'm off to the store to get my wrist splints.   

Thanks all!

GB

[Inky]

GB, I had the carpal tunnel surgery to both hands in '91. The down side was that they would operate on only one hand at a time, so it involved 2 separate surgeries. You are fixed up in a bulky splint for some time afterward.  Hubbo had to cut my food for me.  The worst part was the difficulty in pulling down the panties to use the potty and then pulling them back up. I ended up wearing a full skirt all the time and NO undies! <gasp!> Fortunately, I did not work outside the home, so I was able to do this. You also cannot drive for the period while the post-op splint is on. If it does become necessary to have surgery, which I hope it won't, please ask for a referral to a hand surgeon. By the way, the incision is only about 1" long on the "heel" of the hand. Recovery is rapid, and pain relief in shoulders and arms is immediate.  Things are just really awkward for that post-op period. And they won't do the 2nd surgery until you are completely healed from the first one. I really wanted to have both hands done at once, but couldn't talk my surgeon into it. Post op period for each hand was 6 weeks, but I'm glad I had the surgeries!              Inky

[GucciBear]

Thanks Inky, that helps to have another perspective and gives me an idea about recovery.  Wow, that's a long recovery time.  In my case, surgery isn't an option for at least 1 year.  Hopefully the splints, exercises, and desk/mouse changes will help alleviate some of the discomfort....if indeed it is carpal tunnel. 

I ordered the splints online, couldn't find a good one in the stores.  Now that I'm more conscious of my hand/wrist positions, I noticed the awkward positions my hands are in and how they feel when I wake up.  Sheesh, no wonder I'm having problems.  I'm not sure if I'm a tosser when I sleep, so I hope I don't wrack hubby in the face with the splints. 

GB

[mellie137]

 
I had to laugh at that. I wore splints on both wrists for a few weeks. Turns out I usually sleep with my wrists curled up under my chin, and I did thunk my husband in the head with my splints more than once! I hadn't really thought about it, but that's probably why he sleeps with his back to me now.

[GucciBear]

Everyone, your advise was really helpful.  My wrists feel much better, no stinging anymore.  I now wear the wrist splints at night.  They are the pull on type covering from fingers to elbow.  Somehow I end up with them off by morning.  Go figure.  Their also padded, so thunking hubby isn't too much of a concern.     I still need to incorporate more exercises, I'm working on that, and add the Rhus toxicodendron.

Mellie, your husband is sweet.  I bet he just takes the wracking because he knows the splints help you.  What men will do for their women!!

Just wanted to update you all on my progress and thank you again for the advise.

GB

[Inky]

Great going, GB!  So glad to hear your symptoms are getting better!
                                                                         Inky

[cillakat]

Consider getting your 25(OH)D levels tested right away.   D deficiency is widespread.  Much more common that one might imagine.  vitamindcouncil.com

D deficiency can cause muscle weakness.......and more seriously, D deficiency is linked with higher rates of auto-immune disorders including multiple sclerosis.

It took me about 3 mos of 2000 IU D per day to get to the optimal level of D sufficiency - 50-60 ng/mL (US scale) or 125 or so nmoL (canadian and rest of world scale).

Also, consider a chiropractor just case something is just 'out' in your neck or back.....a massage therapist......but the MD will be critical for the D levels and checking for various  overuse issues/carpal tunnel or even MS.

Hope it's something easy breezy and no big deal.   Speedy healing and all the best,
Katherine

[GucciBear]

Wow!  Thanks Cilikat, that is very informative.  I never thought of a vitamin D deficiency and I do have auto immune disorders.  Hmmmm....back to the doctor. 

GB