Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Woke up last Saturday morning and both hands were numb and swollen. By Wednesday the right hand had sorted itself out, but the left is on a mission all of it's own. My thumb, index finger and middle finger are constantly tingling, and it gets painful at times. And my dexterity, don't even go there - it's difficult to even open a screw-top bottle cap now.

I'm assuming that this is being caused by the HGH (4iu/day). I'm in contest prep, so not gonna be stopping the HGH just yet. Is there anything that can be done to alleviate these symptoms?

Doc would be the best to advise here, but in the mean time here is something I found that might be of interest, provided the diagnosis is correct.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible, under a doctor's direction. Underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated first. Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling.

Non-surgical treatments

Drugs - In special circumstances, various drugs can ease the pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease symptoms that have been present for a short time or have been caused by strenuous activity. Orally administered diuretics ("water pills") can decrease swelling. Corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or the drug lidocaine can be injected directly into the wrist or taken by mouth (in the case of prednisone) to relieve pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate, temporary relief to persons with mild or intermittent symptoms. (Caution: persons with diabetes and those who may be predisposed to diabetes should note that prolonged use of corticosteroids can make it difficult to regulate insulin levels. Corticosterioids should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.) Additionally, some studies show that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements may ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Exercise - Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated. These exercises may be supervised by a physical therapist, who is trained to use exercises to treat physical impairments, or an occupational therapist, who is trained in evaluating people with physical impairments and helping them build skills to improve their health and well-being.

Alternative therapies - Acupuncture and chiropractic care have benefited some patients but their effectiveness remains unproved. An exception is yoga, which has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Here is another good one: www.health24.com/fitness/Injuries/16-482-1058,11961.asp
Hope this helps a little

Carpal Tunnel with Median Nerve pressure is the diagnoses here. Not neccessarily due to HGH use, though...
Could be just over training and straining it. Do you deadlift a lot? Heavy? Even heavy benchprest? All these can be culprits. I have the same problem....
What helps definitely:
- see an orthotist ASAP. Have him/her prep you a splint with your wrist in plantar flexion. Sleep with your hand in this position.
- best anti-inflammatory out there, is Arcoxia 120mg per day for 7 days.
- use vit B6 at 200mg 3 x pd
- Merticorten 8mg 2 xpd for 5 days can help ( will give a bit water retention).
- EFA's 45 mls p day
- PRICE. Physiotherapy, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Hot compression for 5 minutes, followed by ice for 25 minutes, 3 x pd and immediately back into the splint.
- sometimes some of the carpal bones dislocate, causing pressure and swelling around the median nerve. Here is where a good Chiropractor can come in handy.

I personally will stay away as far as possible from:
- intra-articular cortisone injections
- surgical relieve procedures.

Good luck! It's a bit of a bugger to have it during pre-contest prep.

Thanks for the help Doc and Netro.
Somehow these things just have a knack for perfect timing, don't they. Doc, I don't use crazy poundages when training, but I have to say that the weights have been increasing as of late because I am on cycle. I know that the joint needs to be rested, but at this stage, I can hardly afford any time off from training. Guess I'll just have to find a way to work around it. These are the things we have to face, and we have to overcome them, one way or the other.

I'm still convinced water retention has a part to play in carpal tunnel like symptoms when on GH ,, I really don't know if there's any science behind that,,, but when my hands start getting too numb ,, I drop a bit of water,, and it eases,,, but mine never lasts as long as yours anyways,,,, Only when I wake up ,, usually goes away after about an hour of waking up

The pathophysiology of carpal tunnel is water retention - you are correct in that sense. But usually this is seen in pregancy, where water and fatty tissue accumilate at a "rapid" speed. What one must not forget, is the amount of stress on a bodybuilders wrist joint. Tendons easily overtrain, leaving tenosinovitis as a result. Carpal bone subluxation is also a culprit.

Yep I agree with you there,, not saying water retention is the culprit in this instance,,, We do put extreme stress on our joints / connective tissue etc,,

As an Aside I broke my arm on the wrist joint a few years ago,,, after it healed I used to get debilitatiing (sp) pain in my wrist,,, to a point that I could not lift a weight without a wrist guard and a handfull of Myprodol,,, I tried resting it,,, it tried anti-inflamatories ,, I tried all sorts of stuff,,,, turns out I had developed arthritis around the break.. I went for two Cortizone treatments,, that was over two years ago,, and I have not have had a day's problem with it since then.,,

My shoulder .... well thats another story