Carpal tunnel and weight loss?

brittanyjeanxo
brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
edited November 2024 in Chit-Chat
I wasn't quite sure where to post this, so I hope this is an okay place to have it!
My doctor kind of diagnosed me with carpal tunnel (he said it's "probably" CTS and I should take Aleve, yadda yadda) a few months ago.

Lately it's been getting so bad I can't even hold a pencil! They're hurting unbelievably at the moment as I'm typing this very weirdly with my fingers and wrists straightened lol

What I was wondering is if anyone else has been diagnosed with it or thinks they may have had it, did the problems get better once you've lost a little weight? I know it's caused by compression of a nerve in the wrist so I was kind of hoping there would be less compression once I lose a few inches from my hands or arms.

Anyone had experience with this?

Replies

  • Jain
    Jain Posts: 861 Member
    Me. Damit.

    And yes, weight loss helps at lot. As does wearing a wrist support. I wear one at night as I find it difficult to work wearing it.

    I've lost about 18lbs so far & it has eased a little, so I'm hoping as I lose more lbs it'll improve even more.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    That sucks. I haven't had experience of it personally.

    I do know that weight loss can help alleviate symptoms if the CTS has a systemic cause or causes like excessive weight. It will help alleviate pressure on the carpal tunnel and narrowing.

    That may not be the case for your individual diagnosis so you will need to check with your physician. One thing that is clear however that you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by reducing your weight in this regard, especially is you ultimately have decompression surgery.

    Good luck.
  • ahunkofmexican
    ahunkofmexican Posts: 199
    I have CTS and i lost 100 pounds and still the CTS was so bad i could not use a fork or eat right handed anymore. I elected to have the surgery and it improved alot. I still have some numbness but not like before. I only had surgery on 1 hand just because. But i do know my right hand after the surgery is much better. I do recommend the surgery but it took about two years after to feel comfortable again. Losing weight did not do anything for me cause it was the compression of the nerves that cause the pains. Good luck , and lose the weight without gripping and you'll be fine. There is msm you can start trying , look it up on web but in the end surgery might be best.
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