Oh, I love the internet.   :biggrin:    

I have been having some symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome recently, so I went looking for some information about it.  Among the causes I found, there it was, listed big as life and for all to see....  "hormonal changes, as in menopause" !!!

Like I need this now, in addition to my knee problems????    It's a good thing I will be able to walk again soon so my hands will be freed up for their own pain.  I think this is going to be a very long haul.    

Oh no, Vickie, and I thought it was just because I've been at the computer too much!  My right hand has been bothering me.  Oh, well, I refuse to give up the computer!  Hopefully, after hormones settle down, the pain does too?  

Well, I dunno if it will just go away "after ", Susey.  I think the problem with hormones is things like water retention, etc. putting pressure on the median nerve that goes through the carpal tunnel, as I understand it... there is very little space in that carpal tunnel for anything else, they say.   They also list diabetes and hypothyroidism as risk factors, aside from the obvious repetitive movements issue.

Sooooo, if it is not caught and treated early, they say, carpal tunnel syndrome can progress to a point where it is not reversible, because of  too much damage to that nerve.  I found some simple exercises one can do that they say can stop damage in about 2 out of 3 people if it is caught early.  If anyone is interested in the site that shows the exercises, email me and I will send you the address.  

I don't know what kind of pain you are having, Susey, but some of the classic symptoms are numbness in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the inside side of the ring finger... no pinky numbness at all.  The numbness or pain usually occurs more during the night and upon awakening because of the inactivity of the hand (circulation stuff), and can also be exascerbated with doing repetitive movements.  

I will have to bring this up with my ortho doc when I go in to see him for my pre op appointment in 2 weeks.  I guess he will have me as a patient for a very long time, lol, seeing as how they will have to check this knee replacement once a yr for 5 years, and now yet another ailment.     Good thing I like him and think he is extremely competent.   :wink:

(Edited by Kalanie at 2:01 pm on Nov. 24, 2002)