Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

[ODogg]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

Something I'm extremely bad at! Breaks and knowing what to use from an ergonomic perspective. Any tips you can share?

Well for gaming I have found that it's critical to take your hands OFF the controller whenever possible. Like in Madden 19 when I call a play I lay the controller on my lap and open my hands while they walk to the line, or in the menu after I have called my play, any DOWN TIME is "put the controller down time".

Or in Diablo when we (my wife and I game together in Diablo) go back to town the entire time she is doing her stuff with her gear I lay my controller down and stretch my hands. Just whenever possible remove or at the very least, relax, your hands from the controller.

I have been doing this for a few weeks now and I can't stress just how much it actually helps!!

Now is it a hassle? A little at first but you get used to it. You will have people looking at you weird too but they also will get used to it.

For work I just would suggest you be very careful about using those wrist rests that are typically used with mice. I have a friend who had carpal issues and his doctor said not to use them and once he quit using his then his carpal was much better.

So I have nothing at all near my mouse now and when I use it I just try to keep my wrist bend at a minimum (I know I know you should keep it perfectly straight and that is what I aim for but the main thing is not to bend your hand for long periods of time).

Also, I have requested an ergonomic keyboard at work and am still waiting on it. Not going to use one at home as I don't type that much there plus I just spent $130 last spring on a crazy Corsair RGB keyboard and I love it..but yeah, do get an ergonomic keyboard for about $30 if you can, it will help if you type a lot. The microsoft one is very good and I used to use it back in the day..takes about a full day to get used to it, not as bad as you'd think..

[peefyloo]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

So which do you recommend more, the endoscopic or the traditional surgery?

Endoscopic is pretty much the standard now. 2 little pea-sized scars.. 1 in the a
Palm and 1 in the wrist. It'll be 1 year at the end of the month and I cant see the scars.

Very easy surgery. They give you anesestia to put you in "twilight" like state or whatever you want to call it and it's like a 15min surgery. You wear a wrap/soft cast for 2 weeks and then get your stitches out.

Definitely don't wait if you indeed need the surgery. The pain I was in before the surgery on my left hand was ridiculous. I couldn't even hold the controller, mouse, a can.. hardly anything. I made the appointment with neuro to get the test as soon as I noticed a slight tingle/numbness in the base of my right thumb. Im so happy I acted quickly.

[ODogg]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

Endoscopic is pretty much the standard now. 2 little pea-sized scars.. 1 in the a
Palm and 1 in the wrist. It'll be 1 year at the end of the month and I cant see the scars.

Very easy surgery. They give you anesestia to put you in "twilight" like state or whatever you want to call it and it's like a 15min surgery. You wear a wrap/soft cast for 2 weeks and then get your stitches out.

Definitely don't wait if you indeed need the surgery. The pain I was in before the surgery on my left hand was ridiculous. I couldn't even hold the controller, mouse, a can.. hardly anything. I made the appointment with neuro to get the test as soon as I noticed a slight tingle/numbness in the base of my right thumb. Im so happy I acted quickly.

Yeah I discussed it with my doctor and he said since I really only have intermittent numbness when I sleep (or game for longer periods of time) I have the luxury of waiting at least until the start of the year.

He said if I had an issue where I have numbness that seems to worsen or not go away we have to get the surgery and not wait but I'm hoping this shot will carry me until January and then I plan to get the surgery then.

I have read some about the two surgeries and from what I've read some folks seem to prefer the old style surgery despite the bigger scar because they said it "seemed to work better" for more people? But I know that's subjective which is why I asked you.

I honestly do not care about scarring really, I am married, not vain and 48 years old, I have plenty of scars, LOL. I just want whatever works the best.

[peefyloo]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

Yeah I discussed it with my doctor and he said since I really only have intermittent numbness when I sleep (or game for longer periods of time) I have the luxury of waiting at least until the start of the year.

He said if I had an issue where I have numbness that seems to worsen or not go away we have to get the surgery and not wait but I'm hoping this shot will carry me until January and then I plan to get the surgery then.

I have read some about the two surgeries and from what I've read some folks seem to prefer the old style surgery despite the bigger scar because they said it "seemed to work better" for more people? But I know that's subjective which is why I asked you.

I honestly do not care about scarring really, I am married, not vain and 48 years old, I have plenty of scars, LOL. I just want whatever works the best.

I've also heard that some prefer the open cut more. I asked the hand doc about it and he said it depends on each case but 90% of the cts surgeries he does is endoscopic. However, these surgeries occurred at UF Shands in Gainesville, which is a teaching hospital so maybe they choose to do endoscopic more because it's modern or something.

He also told me he recommends the shot and a brace for early cases, but as soon as the numbness becomes more permanent and especially when pain in the arm occurs (it literally woke me up at night), then surgery needs to be considered asap.

[ODogg]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

I've also heard that some prefer the open cut more. I asked the hand doc about it and he said it depends on each case but 90% of the cts surgeries he does is endoscopic. However, these surgeries occurred at UF Shands in Gainesville, which is a teaching hospital so maybe they choose to do endoscopic more because it's modern or something.

He also told me he recommends the shot and a brace for early cases, but as soon as the numbness becomes more permanent and especially when pain in the arm occurs (it literally woke me up at night), then surgery needs to be considered asap.

Yeah I have never had any pain or any weakness from it. Only numbness about 2 times per week and then numbness sporadically when gaming, usually after about an hour or more.

What got me off my butt and to go to the doctor is I did have one night when I woke up and my three fingers (thumb, index, middle) were numb and it took like 15 minutes to get feeling back. Scared me.

I now wear a brace at night and that, combined with the shot and some anti-inflammatory drugs, has really helped to alleviate that issue mostly to be insignificant.

The real problem is playing games, LOL, I want to have no limits damnit

[prey2god]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

So I guess it's time for Madden 19 right? However, I've been having some issues with my hand (numbness while gaming for more than 15 or 20 minutes in my right hand) and got concerned about it so I finally broke down two weeks ago and went to see a specialist. After examining me he had me go get an EMG test to which the results showed moderate to severe carpal tunnel.

He suggested a cortisone shot and, eventually, I will need surgery but since I don't really have many issues that signify permanence right now he said I could wait if I wanted until early next year. In lieu of surgery he offered me a cortisone shot which would decrease inflammation and help with the numbness.

So he gave me the shot on Tuesday and it was not supposed to "work" really for about 1 to 2 weeks but apparently it worked faster than that for me. I was able to play Madden 19 all evening last night and never got one single bit of numbness or tingling in my right hand. Now my left hand I almost started to so I am aware that's probably my next issue. I may need to get a shot in that (and surgery too) but for now I'm very happy with the shots results.

I did have a period last night where I work up and felt some light numbness but it went away quickly but overall I think that shot has worked great so far!!

What a horrible time to have this crop up eh? Hopefully though this shot will get me through it until I can get the surgery.

Has anyone else out there had carpal tunnel and, if so, did surgery work for you??

From experience, start working out. When I used to install garage doors for a living, the power drills I used for each door (about 6-8) per day would cause my arm to go numb in the middle of the night and I would feel this sharp pain going into my arm. There were many sleepless nights.

It also caused issues with rising my Harley Davidson. The slight vibrations caused a lot of issues.

I then started working out frequently and it pretty much went away. I don’t do garage doors anymore but I don’t get that numbness anymore. I don’t know what it’s is but I’m guessing the workout causes blood flow into the vessels which alleviates the carpal tunnel

[ODogg]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

From experience, start working out. When I used to install garage doors for a living, the power drills I used for each door (about 6-8) per day would cause my arm to go numb in the middle of the night and I would feel this sharp pain going into my arm. There were many sleepless nights.

It also caused issues with rising my Harley Davidson. The slight vibrations caused a lot of issues.

I then started working out frequently and it pretty much went away. I don’t do garage doors anymore but I don’t get that numbness anymore. I don’t know what it’s is but I’m guessing the workout causes blood flow into the vessels which alleviates the carpal tunnel

Yeah I am saving up money to buy an elliptical for my house. I don't want to do gym fees and I do walk sometimes but I don't do it enough or with enough vigor.

I have used an elliptical before and I love it. Just need to get the $$$ and I'm going to get one and will endeavor to do 3 to 5 sessions a week.

And don't worry, my wife is on me about this all the time too LOL

[prey2god]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

Yeah I am saving up money to buy an elliptical for my house. I don't want to do gym fees and I do walk sometimes but I don't do it enough or with enough vigor.

I have used an elliptical before and I love it. Just need to get the $$$ and I'm going to get one and will endeavor to do 3 to 5 sessions a week.

And don't worry, my wife is on me about this all the time too LOL

That’s good man. It’s beneficial both ways. Also would recommend doing something to straighten the arms. Get some dumbbell and do zottman curls. Look it up. Keep doing those on the regular. Not only you’ll have Popeyes arms but it helps carpal tunnel.

[doubledeuceR6]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

I've had some ulnar nerve issues that will cause numbness in my left hand from time to time. It's mostly from sitting at a desk all day and I sleep on my side so my arm is usually bent with my hand underneath the pillow so I try to keep my arm straight sleeping when it flares up. But there are stretches for it that help quite a bit and keep it under control for the most part.

The only time I have issues while gaming is when I'm playing a racing game.

[vtcrb]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

I feel your pain buddy. I have nerves issues in arms and had surgery to try to fix it in one elbow to no avail. My issue was caused by lifting for over 20 years and sports. I let it go for a few years before seeking medical advice, but during that time I started a lot of CPU vs CPU sports gaming and enjoy it alot. I still play when pain is lower level.

Anyway one thing I found that can help some with inflammation is to put rice in a sock, tie the sock at top, then put in microwave for about a minute maybe a little longer depending on microwave power, then place it on area of pain. It can provide temporary relief sometimes.

[ODogg]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

I feel your pain buddy. I have nerves issues in arms and had surgery to try to fix it in one elbow to no avail. My issue was caused by lifting for over 20 years and sports. I let it go for a few years before seeking medical advice, but during that time I started a lot of CPU vs CPU sports gaming and enjoy it alot. I still play when pain is lower level.

Anyway one thing I found that can help some with inflammation is to put rice in a sock, tie the sock at top, then put in microwave for about a minute maybe a little longer depending on microwave power, then place it on area of pain. It can provide temporary relief sometimes.

Wow, that's a good idea, funny enough I just bought a bunch of rice too, LOL. Thanks man!!

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

I don't have carpal tunnel but i have trigger finger on my left hand. It's such a bitch. I basically can't open and close my middle finger smoothly. I also have arthritis on my left index finger.

It's been going on for months now but I been stretching it and rehabing it on my own and its getting better.

I'm not sure if its my diet but since I started eating only meat, its actually going away completely on both my fingers after dealing with it for half a year now.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

The surgery works for some people, not for others. My wife has the surgery on both hands 25 years ago while she was still in the Navy. She still have problems with her hands. Last year she had nerve surgery on her elbow. My dad had carpal tunnel since 1994 or 1995. He refuses to have surgery, instead he just takes some MIGHTY STRONG muscle relaxers. His is so bad that when it flares up, his hand will just ball up in an awkward way and he can't open it.

Just one of those things you just learn to live with.

[ODogg]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

Well that cortisone shot I got really helped, my wife was gone this weekend and I played Madden all night Friday, all day Saturday and all day today and not once did the numbness flare up!!


Sent from my iPad using Operation Sports

[p_rushing]

Re: Found out two weeks before Madden 19 I have carpal tunnel!

Well that cortisone shot I got really helped, my wife was gone this weekend and I played Madden all night Friday, all day Saturday and all day today and not once did the numbness flare up!!


Sent from my iPad using Operation Sports

That's great, it will buy you some time. The question will be how much time. Generally they won't do more than 2 in the same area. Could be up to a year or 2, just depends.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk