Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Carpal Tunnel???

For the last week, my right hand has been a pain... literally! I've woken up in the morning for 3 consecutive days with a numb/tingly hand. Not thinking much of it (maybe I slept on it?), until I experience prolonged tingling, numbness, and aching even after being up for a few hours. I did do more sewing over break than I normally do, but no hand-stitching, so I'm a little perplexed... It doesn't seem fair that something can bring me so much joy can cause such great pain AT THE SAME TIME!!!

The more people I talk to about it, many of them are saying it's carpal tunnel. Even today, my wrist is sore, and the tingling is like a vibration running through my thumb and first two fingers. I'll need to make a doctor's appointment apparently, but for now I'll make sure to keep Advil by my side! Bummer... I was so happy with how productive I've been over the last week, and now this. Getting old sucks.

Started the last leg of The Prom Dress last night. The original pattern needed a lot of altering, not just for the client's body, but also the changes she wanted to the design (lowering the back). I procrastinated, being nervous about tearing into the muslin and turning it into pattern pieces, but yesterday I finally overcame my nervousness and got the job done, transferring all the measurements and changes to the pattern and creating new pattern pieces. I got it all pinned out and half of the pieces are cut, with the other half and the lining still to do. The fabric is not a typical "prom color", it's a burnt orange/rust/copper. I'll share photos as it progresses, but keep your fingers crossed for me!

7 comments:

Maryissewfast said...

Definitely sounds like carpal tunnel. A wrist brace at night to hold your wrist in a stationary position sometimes helps. Docs like to start with the least invasisve treatment to begin with, but the surgery is done laprascopically now, so healing time is much quicker. Hope you are better soon.

Omega said...

I've had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands just last year& it worked out great and you'd never even know by looking at my hands. However this was after several years of having the problem. I think you might be able to avoid the surgery if you take precautions. The brace does help and if you work on a computer a lot use proper hand positions and take a break often. Hope you're better soon.

Salinda said...

so, i can't comment on the carpal tunnel, but...

do you have a copy of simplicity 4020 that i just blogged about? mom and i share patterns and we might have another uncut copy...

email me.

Bunny said...

Sure sounds like it to me. DH has had both hands done. He suffered quite a bit before the surgery. You may want to ask the doctor about some therapeutic exercises and definitely use the brace. Good luck and keep us posted.

Susan said...

That is frustrating, but at least there is a solution. Between typing, sewing, and all the other things we do, our hands get one crazy work out!

gwensews said...

I'm sorry.

luckylibbet said...

It may not be carpal tunnel, but a pinched nerve in the neck or spine. I had that tingly in my fingers and wrist, and it was diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome, ie swelling in the C7 vertebra which pinched nerves and blood vessels. Somewhat treated by physical therapy, steroids and a change in diet. Only a doctor, with the aid of Xray and/or MRI can tell for sure. And yes, it was probably caused by poor posture while sewing, and has severely limited my sewing time since. BUMMER!

Good luck with your treatment - I'll be thinking of you.

PS - don't comment here much, but do read & enjoy your blog.