Where to put my hands?

[cathyf]

Does anybody here have some tips for dealing with carpal tunnel? I find myself waking up a lot with my hands tingling or numb. I think it's because I sleep in funky positions -- with the bottom hand up under my pillow getting squashed, and the top hand coming down at a weird angle. The cpap machine adds a few wrinkles to this -- the cold air coming out my mask blows directly on my hands, so I try to tuck them out of the way and they go numb because they are in some awkward position. Or I have to stuff a hand further under a pillow because otherwise it's pushing my mask off, and then it gets squished worse.

[VictorC]

I sleep on my side, and have my arms pointed away from my body with my elbow bent 90 degrees. So my arms basically wrap around my pillow. One arm lays on top of the other to avoid an extreme angle, and this numbness.

[Elle]

I try to aim my vent straight up but otherwise I keep a light blanket on my hands in case of cold air. You could wear cotton gloves.

[photonic]

Carpal tunnel syndrome is worse at night because of recumbancy related water redistribution which raises the pressure in the carpal canal. Combine this with any flexion of the wrist and pressure increases more thus increasing symptoms. Simple velcro wrist splints that keep your wrists from bending can sometimes help and can usually be purchased at any medical supply store. The key is to try to keep the wrist in neutral and not flexed (bent down). Good luck!

[palerider]

Does anybody here have some tips for dealing with carpal tunnel? I find myself waking up a lot with my hands tingling or numb. I think it's because I sleep in funky positions -- with the bottom hand up under my pillow getting squashed, and the top hand coming down at a weird angle. The cpap machine adds a few wrinkles to this -- the cold air coming out my mask blows directly on my hands, so I try to tuck them out of the way and they go numb because they are in some awkward position. Or I have to stuff a hand further under a pillow because otherwise it's pushing my mask off, and then it gets squished worse.

I wear a brace when mine flares up, previously it'd been my left wrist (bad typing posture) but recently my write started bitching at me, so I strapped it in, and left it there most of the time, and all night. even when it wasn't bothering me during the day, I kept up the night bracing for a week or two extra.

as to sleeping, it varies, sometimes my hands are along my side, or stretched straight out in front of me if on my side, it varies.

if the mask is blowing on your hands, how about some light gloves, so elegant

[englandsf]

Are you a heavy PC user? If so try a trackball (not a mouse/trackpad) and/or wrist supports, and try and control your hours on the machine...

Wearing braces at night can help a lot - as PR says.

Also avoid sleeping with your hands under your head at all costs.

[chunkyfrog]

A cheaper source for a wrist splint is a BOWLING ALLEY, --or you can DIY.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Night-B ... -Syndrome/
There is a leather splint there also.

[photonic]

The most up to date research has shown that typing is not causative for carpal tunnel syndrome as previously hypothesized, but this belief is firmly entrenched in popular culture. However some wrist postures may bring out symptoms of already present high pressures in the canal and "sickened" median nerve just as holding a book or steering wheel can. The highest risk factors for developing carpal tunnel syndrome are age, female sex, body mass index, wrist ratio (squareness of your wrist shape). All fascinating stuff as we try to move more towards evidence based medicine.

[palerider]

The most up to date research has shown that typing is not causative for carpal tunnel syndrome ... The highest risk factors for developing carpal tunnel syndrome are age, female sex,

I never thought it was the typing itself, but a lot of times I'd tend to lean on my left elbow, and that ended up with my left wrist bent at a more acute angle, (sideways, actually) and my right one straighter, never had a problem with the right one that way.

and, that 'female sex' is that 'being female' or 'having sex with females'

[chunkyfrog]

PR, it could be related to the amount of "manual activity".

[Guest 2]

PR, it could be related to the amount of "manual activity".

Now that's funny I don't care who you are! love it!

[englandsf]

Any form of repetitive activity is bad - RSI stands for repetitive strain injury after all. The mouse is much more "dangerous" if you have an awkward position when holding it, and/or your arm is not supported - if your mouse hand if worse it is probably not a keyboard issue.

[MbMinx]

That's why I love my Vertical Mouse. I got turned onto it about seven years ago, and once I made the adjustment I never looked back. I work at a computer for eight-nine hours a day, and the Vertical Mouse has relieved me from a LOT of arm, wrist and shoulder pain.

[348Win]

Don't monkey around, get the CT surgery. 100% perfect now, I can sleep, use my ATV, fishing rod etc with no numbness.

[cathyf]

Thanks everybody! I have the real serious wrist splints because I got Fifth Disease (human parovirus) in 2008. This is a strange virus which 99% of the time is totally innocuous, but if you are in the 1% whoa baby! watch out! My very first symptom was that I had hand numbness and tingling during the day, but as soon as I had been asleep for 2-3 hours I would wake up screaming from the burning agony in my hands. (Let me tell you, this even beat out apnea as a sleep disorder!) Fortunately some anti-inflammatory drugs immediately reduced things back down to mere tingling...

I was kind of hoping to avoid the wrist splints. I already feel strapped in with the cpap, and the big splints are only going to make it worse. The idea of needing to "suit up" to go to bed is cray-cray!