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Is this Carpel Tunnel Syndrome or my MS?

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    Is this Carpel Tunnel Syndrome or my MS?

    Hi all...
    For numerous months all (or most) of my finger tips on both hands had been slightly numb off and on. Then in early Dec. my index, middle and ring finger went completely numb on my right hand (middle finger was totally numb and the other two numb on the inside surfaces).
    It got so bad that my middle finger felt like it had tight band aids on when I'd bend it... very tight and hard to bend all the way. Numbness and pain and electric shocks I was experiencing.

    It, however, has been getting better over the past couple weeks: My ring finger is almost normal and the other two are a lot better. Those were my only hand symptoms.

    I saw my Neurologist last week. She wants me to go for a test to make sure it's not Carpel Tunnel. I really don't want to go... I don't have a car and getting around is very difficult but I do want to make sure it's not CT.

    Does CT just start going away like MS symptoms can do? If my fingers are getting better than how could it be CT?

    Thanks a lot for any help/info.

    #2
    Hi brama10,

    Sorry no one has replied to your post yet, but we really can't tell you if this is a result of CT or MS.

    My doctor tested me for this years ago. I had a nerve conduction test which came back negative, but this was before I suspected that I had MS.

    Only by having test done (and a nerve conduction test is not the only test done), will you be able to know. I've heard that CT can come and go, but it can get worse as times goes on without some kind of treatment.

    Do you have a family member or friend to take you to your appt.? If it were me, I'd want to know.

    Hope someone comes along with better knowledge. Take care!
    1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
    Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

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      #3
      Thanks Seasha...
      I do have a friend who can bring me... I was just hoping for the easy way out and for someone to tell not to bother.
      I'll definitely go for the test... rather be safe than sorry. I was watching them on YT as well... it doesn't seem bad at all.
      Thank you again for the reply.

      Comment


        #4
        You have probably already had your EMG but, if you have, perhaps my suggestions could help someone else.

        I really empathize with your difficulty getting around. Unless it’s immediately life or death I usually don’t bother. Since both MS and carpal tunnel are incurable, I ask ???? Why spend time ‘just to find out’.

        Advice:

        Go down to your nearest drugstore and buy the most comfortable carpel tunnel splint you can find. Put it on before you go to sleep every night for a week. When you wake up, gently shake your hands. During that time, avoid using your hands as much as possible and DO NOT TYPE. This is a good time to try out the voice controls on your phone, If it’s CT, there will probably be an improvement in a week.

        One thing absent from your symptoms was pain. Carpel tunnel is usually very painful. It radiates from the palm all the way up to your neck. It is particularly noticeable at the outside of the elbow.

        Speaking from someone who has both, I’m no expert but ‘been there, done that and got the T shirt.’ Feel free to ask more questions.

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          #5
          I know this is several months later.

          Before i was diagnosed my left hand had gotten really stiff. I worked at the Ford plant on the assembly line. The plant Dr sent me in to be tested for carpal tunnel on both hands. Came back positive on both hands. The hand Dr wanted to operate on my right hand first because it was worst than my left hand. That hand didn't bother me I told him the left hand first. he said fine, when the right hand did start bothering me he would take care of it than. Had the micro surgery made no difference, had other problems and 6 months later was diagnosed with MS.

          Later told by my Nero that my right hand was worst then my left and my right didn't bother that it was the MS.

          To this day 25 years later the left hand is still stiff.

          Comment


            #6
            That's always a difficult question. I often say that, "It could be MS, but it might not be."

            Because MS affects the brain and its connections to all parts of our bodies, I always believe that anything could be MS. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that everything is. Other things can still go wrong for us that are unrelated to MS.

            It's often worth talking first to your primary care provider to see what they think, and following that up with a conversation with your neuro or MS Specialist. It could be either.
            ~ Faith
            MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
            (now a Mimibug)

            Symptoms began in JAN02
            - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
            - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
            .

            - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
            - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

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