Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and me

Where to start. I guess by explaining what it is. The NHS website has this simple explanation:

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better.

But of course, things aren’t always that simple. It’s something that builds over time rather than appearing overnight, and for me, something that I didn’t really think about until it got much worse. For me much worse was last summer when I was waking up with numb hands, which was quite scary and concerning. At first shaking and flexing my hands would relieve the symptoms and I put it down to the weather, then a change in my medication and I thought it would improve. But when it didn’t, and it was taking longer to bring my hands back to life I realised it was bad enough to speak to my GP.

His initial instinct was that it was CTS, though at the time I was less convinced still thinking it was down to a change in my medication. However I went with his diagnosis - he’s the one that’s medically trained after all - and took up the offer of seeing the physio. She agreed with the doctor, and having experienced CTS herself, she told me it was curable either through exercises, a steroid injection or for worst cases an operation.

I left with daily exercises to do, information sheets and instructions to buy myself some splints to wear overnight to help keep the pressure off the nerve while I slept, and preventing waking up with numb hands. I still wasn’t convinced, but I had nothing to lose, and for the next couple of months or so I followed the routine.

And things did improve massively, so I was starting to think they were probably right. But while it was improving, it wasn’t better. I went for my follow-up physio appointment before Christmas and reported my progress. My next steps were to continue with the exercises, and reduce wearing the splints overnight to avoid becoming dependant on them. It all made sense, and I left with the advice from the physio to ‘not leave it too long’ if things didn’t continue to get better, or got worse.

Things didn’t really get better, and Christmas and life got in the way of the daily stretching exercises which were a little more sporadic than before. But even after resuming my previously regular routine in the New Year it was more on the side of getting worse, so I resolved to go back and see the physio. Before this though for about a fortnight I kept a log of when and what seemed to cause the tingling, which fingers on which hands etc, and while I probably didn’t get them all - remembering that I’d woken two or three times a night with tingling in fingers on my left or right - and sometimes both - hands was enough evidence for me to realise I needed to make that appointment.

While this was quite an OTT exercise, it was useful in that I learnt what types of activities set it off. And quite mundane activities at that - sleeping was the big one (and I wasn’t stopping doing that) but also smaller things like holding the toothbrush, putting on my make-up, holding a knife or fork (and I wasn’t giving up eating either), holding a needle for cross stitch or sewing crochet squares together, holding my phone and/or iPad (though the latter was eased with one of those bean bag mini cushions) and at times holding the steering wheel. So quite a wide range of everyday activities but thankfully being aware and knowing which of the exercises helped me most, the tingling was now more often short-lived, so that was something.

But it was still there.

I saw the physio again in the first week of February and she agreed that things had plateaued and she was also concerned about some muscle wastage under the thumb on my right hand. I’m not sure if this had worsened since my earlier visits as I don’t remember it being mentioned before, but it didn’t sound good.

Anyway, I was to be referred.

The next day the referral came though, and setting expectations it said the deadline for it to be reviewed was the second week of April, but I thought at least I am in the queue. Less than two weeks later, thanks to being able to take up a cancelled appointment offered at a day’s notice, I was being assessed by a consultant. He’d asked how long this had been happening and I’d since found the notes from my endocrinologist when my hyperactive thyroid and Graves Disease was diagnosed back in 2012 and I’d mentioned tingling in my fingers occasionally then, so was able to say ‘quite a while’. He asked what symptoms and mitigations I’d had/taken etc. etc. and I left with him saying that it was likely that more tests would be needed before confirming which course of treatment I’d need, and an appointment would follow.

So I was back in the queue, but at the next stage.

This all seemed fine, though I remember coming home and saying to MOH that I wasn’t sure the consultant 100% believed me, but I’d see what happens. To be fair there was nothing in his demeanour or manner that said outright that it wasn’t true or as serious, but well, you know how things are, sometimes it takes a couple of visits to the doctors to be heard, and it just felt like that.

What I wasn’t expecting was a phone call the same afternoon from the consultant saying that he’d reviewed my notes again, and on reflection he could refer me immediately to my local private hospital as an NHS patient, if I was ok with that. So that was quite out of the blue, and my perception of the earlier appointment was completely off the mark, no doubt he was considering the avalanche of information presented to him in a short time slot which must be hard for anyone to process and deliver an on the spot solution.

The next referral appointment was booked for the end of March, but for one reason or another it took place by phone a week ahead of that. That was a shock to me too, but during the conversation I learnt that my case had been marked urgent, and that an operation was likely to be the outcome. A face to face appointment was booked for the middle of April, which has now taken place.

Last week I saw the surgeon and we booked in an operation for the second week of June for my right hand, and once again I was able to benefit from another cancellation. I’m waiting for the specific details, but I know where the op will be and obviously have met the surgeon who’ll be performing what he assures me is a simple procedure. It takes place under a local anaesthetic, which while I’m not exactly looking forward to that, avoiding a general anaesthetic is always good. After the op I will need two weeks rest - so no driving - and it should take between six to nine months to heal completely.

Resting my right hand for two weeks sounds sensible but challenging, but it is what it is and I’m sure we’ll make things work. The challenge is getting to and from the hospital as it’s not a direct route on public transport and MOH doesn’t drive - but we’ll manage.

So it’s all been quite a whirlwind (relatively) and I seem to have benefitted greatly from cancellations. Of course, the symptoms are still there (in both hands) but I’m hoping for my right hand to make a full recovery as quickly as it can. And I’ve promised my surgeon that I’ll try to look less worried about the whole thing, which is easier said than done.

I was featured on Blogger Showcase

Managing wellbeing with Access Bars

* My Access Bar session was gifted by Access Consciousness.
We all know how important it is to look after both our physical and mental wellbeing and the benefits that taking some time out, or some time for ourselves brings. Today on National Stress Awareness day I’m sharing more about my recent experience of having my bars done which aims to ‘relax your brain, and relax your body.’

What is Access Bars?

The Access Bars are 32 points on the head, which when lightly touched can help facilitate a reduction in stress and trauma throughout the body. The sessions are usually a 30 to 90 minutes hands-on treatment - mine was 60 minutes - which involves light touching to various points on the head which can help reduce stress throughout the body and increase positive attitudes towards life.

Before my session I knew that each session can be different, and the treatments can be different for every one and my therapist reminded me of this before the session started. The other thing I learnt was that during the session it’s important your fingers don’t point towards each other directly as this interferes with the energy flow.

I’ve previously paid for some Craniosacral Therapy sessions (a gentle hands-on technique that relives tension and stress) and so I had some idea of what Access Bars might be like, though I was curious about the focus being on the touch points on my head. My therapist said at worst, I’d leave feeling like I’d had a really good massage, and who can argue with that - the video below shares more about what you can expect from the session.

Before I share more about how I got on I want to share a couple of photos of the hotel where the event took place. The public areas of the Clermont Hotel in Victoria are stunning and it was a real treat to be in such surroundings. I’m sure that the hotel has been refurbished since I last visited, which looking back was in 2018 for a friends wedding - how time flies!

Corinthian pillars in front of stained glass arches with an elaborate chandelier on the front left of the picture
Heritage White painted decorative stair case spindles

So how did I get on?

As I said above I was curious about how the Access Bars would work, but I was open to finding out how I could feel like I’d had a good massage by only being touched on my head. During the session I felt myself relaxing, and I felt what I’ll call tensions release. These felt different in different parts of my body, we all have our known niggles and sometimes more than others. I knew my left calf was tight, and of course my troublesome toe is still healing (I hope) slowly, but also I’ve recently been experiencing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which are thankfully improving following advice from practice physio, so I was keen to see how these, and other areas of my body reacted and felt afterwards.

As I relaxed I could feel the tension release in my legs, I know that I tense my hips (strangely!) so that was welcome. At one point I also felt what I can only explain as a ‘shooting tingle’ in the top of my right thigh which didn’t feel too dissimilar to having a mobile phone vibrate in my pocket, but without it being there. It was the feeling in my wrists which most surprised me though, and a pleasant surprise at that. It felt as if the energy in my wrists was buzzing, not in the pins and needles, or numb way that I’d previously experienced, but in a more positive, vibrant way - it’s hard to explain, but it felt good.

This video shares more about what it’s like to receive an Access Bars session.

I'm laying on a couch with a plaid blanket over me while the therapist is undertaking an access bar session, his hands are on my head just above my ears

And after the session?

Following the session my therapist advised me to listen to my body, and said I might crave water, sugar or salt. I didn’t expressly crave any of those, though as normal practice following any therapy session I usually up my water intake, something that I’ve found helps all round.

Immediately after the session I felt a little spaced out, again nothing bad, but almost like I was trying to process what I’d just experienced. I didn’t have specific plans for after the session but I did feel more aware of my surroundings, and the multiple vases displaying cut flowers in the hotel lobby, along with the unseasonably warm temperatures outside encouraged me to wander rather than to head straight back to the station.

A display of cut flowers in many vases of different heights with lillies and hydrangeas on a round table in the hotel foyer

My unplanned wander led me past Buckingham Palace and through St James’ Park, and it was great to be outside on a warm October day, especially without a coat. I felt more aware of my surroundings, this isn’t a route I normally take - or have probably taken before, and that calf I mentioned before seemed to be loosening up, which I was grateful for.

Views of grass, trees and London's skyline across St James' Park
Three pelicans and plenty of pigeons on the banks of the lake in St James' Park

After stopping to watch the pelicans for a while, with many other people, I found myself back on The Mall and in much more familiar territory so rather than head back the way I came I carried on to Charing Cross station to head home. So I also managed to fit in over twelve thousand steps to my day, including my walk to and from the station at home. And the bonus was I felt relaxed, and planned to take it easy for the rest of the day too.

So for me it was an enjoyable session, and one that was good to experience first hand. I’m still curious though, and am looking forward to reading Dr Dain Heer’s book which promises on its back cover to be a ‘very different book’ providing a set of practical and dynamic tools for generating infinite possibilities and dynamic change.

I'm holding a book titled ' Being you, Changing the World (is now the time?) by Dr Dain Heer with my living room rug in the background

* With thanks to Access Consciousness for inviting me to experience Access Bars, as usual all views and opinions are my own.

'Get creative with colour' this April

Gardening is good for you, that’s the message from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) who have a year long campaign to persuade more of us to get out into our gardens, to enjoy our spaces and perhaps perk them up a bit too. 

I can’t quite believe it’s April already, the year seems to be running away with us.  In my own garden I’ve hardly made it out there much yet and I’m not quite sure why.  I suspect partly it’s due to the weather - it has been lovely the last couple of weekends, but we’ve been out and about so it’s also partly down to weekend plans.  Unusually I don’t have any seeds sown yet either, but I also know with my north-facing garden, which takes a little longer to warm up, that I should be ok as long as I get started soon.

And because I also believe that gardening is good for us I’m planning to share more of the #GIGFY campaign for the rest of the year.  So, on the first of every month, pop back and see the theme for the month and how they promote gardening, health and wellbeing activities.  Every month I’ll also host a linkup where you can share your gardens and/or gardening posts (old or new) that complement the month’s theme.  For April, that’s Get Creative with Colour.

APRIL: GET CREATIVE WITH COLOUR

APRIL: GET CREATIVE WITH COLOUR

Using colour in your garden

You’ll know I’m an advocate of colour, and so this is the perfect month for me to start sharing the ‘gardening is good for you’ with its colourful theme.  I’d like to say I planned it like this, but I didn’t - I only learnt about this at the Garden Media event I went to at the end of February...

Using colour in your garden is as easy as using colour in your house. It’s that simple, although you’ll also know I think we can play it too safe with our interiors choices. So if that’s you, then going a bit wild with colour in your garden is the perfect way to rebel. I mean, have you seen some of the colour clashes that nature puts together, and which just work?

For somewhere bright and uplifting choose a colour palette with red, gold, yellow and orange – all colours with energy and warmth. Planted in bold bocks around a patio, and matched with furniture in equally uplifting colours, they’ll produce a joyful place socialise outside.

In contrast, create somewhere calm and relaxing using cool colours like blue, mauve and violet, set against a backdrop of green, and perhaps adding pure white and silver for a clean, tranquil effect. With soft chairs to sink down into you’ll create a peaceful and restorative space to sit out and meditate.

Different colours can influence on your emotions in different ways:

  • Red: bold, bright and stimulating, exciting and eye-catching

  • Orange: warm and vibrant, happy and fun

  • Yellow: cheerful and welcoming, positive and stimulating

  • Green: fresh, natural and calming, peaceful and relaxing

  • Blue: simple, cool, calming and relaxing

  • Purple: striking, powerful and energetic

  • White, grey & silver: pure and simple, clean and classic.

Colour can influence your visual perception of space

By growing bright red plants at the end of a long, narrow garden you can make it appear closer than it actually is, while cool, blue flowers will look further away, giving the impression that the space is larger. Vibrant colours like red and yellow grab your attention, drawing the eye away from eyesores or views you’d prefer to ignore, while pure white and gold shine out on dull days and brighten a shaded spot.

Choosing colour themed displays

You can have fun with colourful groupings or partners, and good planting companions include:

  • Purple and yellow or gold, such as Geranium, Achillea, Rudbeckia.

  • Red, yellow and blue, such as Solidago, Scabious, Camassia, Scilla peruviana.

  • Purple, green and orange, such as Geum, Alchemilla, Campanula, Erysimum, Salvia, Verbascum, Hosta, Euphorbia, Bergenia.

Dont worry about the ‘proper’ names of the plants, a quick look around your garden centre or on the internet will quickly determine what they look like and if you like them. Like other parts of your home, if you don’t truly love it then you shouldn’t include it.

You can find our more about colour therapy in garden design and learn the basics of colour theory to know what looks good using the appropriate link.

Gardens to visit for: colour-themed inspiration

Despite two of these gardens being relatively close and/or close to family, I’ve not visited any of these, so it seems This month would be a good time to put right!  If you’ve visited any of these gardens I’d be keen to see your posts linked below, alongside any that complement the theme.

“TheGardenYear