At this point, working on a computer for less than an hour, my wrists stiffen and shortly after my wrist/palm area starts burning pain which increases with computer use. (Hands are cold also, which might be unrelated). Finally, pain became too great and had to stop programming a couple of years ago. Now, I can’t work on a computer at all!

I have been to 4+ orthopedic surgeons and had MRIs, nerve conduction tests, x-rays, cortisone injections (which helped for 2 weeks), taken Celebrex, therapy, acupuncture, etc. The only confirmed diagnosis is ulnar neuropathy, which causes numbness at night and possible thickness of tendon sheath (carpal tunnel).

I cannot seem to get any resolution with this and cannot keep taking endless tests.

Has anyone had similar experiences or found a solution? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Gary,

Welcome to the site!

It sounds like maybe you have both carpal tunnel and ulnar issues. I have some of your symptoms, but not exactly the same. I do have one cold hand. Are both of your hands cold? Do your hands become colder as you are using them? You mentioned that you can't work on computer anymore. Have you tried using voice recognition software? I'm not a computer person at all, but I managed to figure out the voice recognition software called Dragon. I also have a mouse that I can operate with my feet. It's probably not enough help to get you programming again, but it's helpful for general computer use like sending e-mails, Word documents, Internet search, and lengthly responses on the cubicle tunnel forum!!!

You've mentioned that you seen a lot of doctors. I'm curious if any of them were a hand expert or an upper extremity expert?


Cindy

Both hands do become colder and the palms have a burning feeling the more I use them.

I did see a couple of hand specialists. I can only afford to pay for so many tests.

I'm right handed and my right hand goes cold with use. It is more of an oddness for me, I never mentioned it to the doc, I just figured it was all related to the ulnar elbow issue. I had surgery and I still have coldness with use and also numbness and fatigue when I lift my arm. I might have a multiple injury site on the nerve with an additional problem being in the thoractic outlet or in the neck. The elbow surgery helped, but didn't fix it all.

What areas did you have a mri(s) done? What did the results say?

If you have a confirmed ulnar issue have you been offered surgery? If it were me to do over, I would recomend doing that to see how many of your problems clear up.

Cindy

What are you thinking at this point?

Cindy