Do I just give up?

punxnotdead309 · 11-10-2009, 12:42 PM

I suppose I'll tell you my little story.

I've always aspired to be a body builder, to be strong since I was 8 years old.

I got into bodybuilding in March, but recently stumbled into several defeating road blocks.

I have tendinitis in my shoulder, which I've been battling for 6 months now as well as tendinitis in my other tricep.
I was okay with taking time off from the gym to rehabilitate myself, but I went to the neuro doctor today because of unexplained numbness in both hands.

He diagnosed me with the early stages of carpal tunnel and said I cannot weightlift any more or I'll get to the point where I won't even be able to grasp objects anymore.
He said I can continue the weights as long as I don't have to grip anything with my hands, as in a clenched fist.

I don't know what to do at this point.
I feel so very defeated and my biggest asparation in life just feels crushed. What can I possibly do?

DemetriaF · 11-10-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punxnotdead309

I don't know what to do at this point.
I feel so very defeated and my biggest asparation in life just feels crushed. What can I possibly do?

Hey there.

This guy has the best answer....

http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/TheBeastWCBB/

punxnotdead309 · 11-10-2009, 01:05 PM

Wow, he seems very inspirational. I suppose I could have it alot worse...
Thanks

aznprincess · 11-10-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punxnotdead309

I suppose I'll tell you my little story.

I've always aspired to be a body builder, to be strong since I was 8 years old.

I got into bodybuilding in March, but recently stumbled into several defeating road blocks.

I have tendinitis in my shoulder, which I've been battling for 6 months now as well as tendinitis in my other tricep.
I was okay with taking time off from the gym to rehabilitate myself, but I went to the neuro doctor today because of unexplained numbness in both hands.

He diagnosed me with the early stages of carpal tunnel and said I cannot weightlift any more or I'll get to the point where I won't even be able to grasp objects anymore.
He said I can continue the weights as long as I don't have to grip anything with my hands, as in a clenched fist.

I don't know what to do at this point.
I feel so very defeated and my biggest asparation in life just feels crushed. What can I possibly do?

first of all, get a second opinion. there might be another solution besides "don't grip anything with your hands."

my mother has carpel tunnel and has for about 12 years. she is a hair stylist and was told many years ago that she might have to give that up (repetitive movements with her hands). she ignored them and she still cuts hair and can still grip things with her hands. quite well as a matter of fact.

so everyone is different. she does have numbness in her hands. she got these wrist stabilizer braces that she sleeps with at night to mobilize the joint. maybe you could ask your doctor about using one of those and whether it will help you maintain grip strength?

kitebean · 11-10-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznprincess

so everyone is different. she does have numbness in her hands. she got these wrist stabilizer braces that she sleeps with at night to mobilize the joint. maybe you could ask your doctor about using one of those and whether it will help you maintain grip strength?

yes, this ^^ really helped me as well! don't give up, I've had loads of injuries, including elbow, thoracic outlet, ankles, wrists, and my current pelvic floor issues. I know it's frustrating and you think it will never end, but it will, you will heal, but you have to be PATIENT and give it time....

SophieM · 11-10-2009, 01:48 PM

I agree with wrist braces that stabilize the area. Also, I found this in the article section
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/planet29.htm

But I definitely wouldn't give up.

princessTiffany · 11-10-2009, 05:36 PM

Don't give up!

I don't know the exact nature of your carpal tunnel but some forms are just the muscles and tendons swelling and pinching off nerves. If you start to treat it now it may not get worse.

Glamorous · 11-10-2009, 07:09 PM

Don't give up.

I would get a 2nd opinion, first of all. And secondly, why hasn't the doctor mentioned any kind of surgery? My dad had really bad carpal tunnel issues and I know he had surgery and has been fine ever since! He's doing fantastic and you'd never know he ever had problems.

StarDustImages · 11-10-2009, 07:49 PM

I wouldn't give up, my bf had tendinitis in his right had and also carpel tunnel in the same one, he got surgery for the carpel tunnel at the beginning of sept and is doing great now with no numbness or pain from either.

There are some I straps that I saw that sort of wrap around a weight and make it so you don't actually have to grip it, I believe I saw them in sport chek, you can get ones that simply go around your wrist or ones that are like a glove, you should really check it out, if it's hard to grip something these should work

punxnotdead309 · 11-10-2009, 08:16 PM

Thanks guys for all of your advice. I don't feel as though it's so bleak for me. I believe I'll explore my options and perhaps get the surgery when it gets worse, but not overly so. It's just when you're bombarded with one thing after another, you can't help but drown a little.My mom has carpal tunnel, so she's going to give me her braces she uses.

All I need now is a little bit of patience and some good luck

CoffeCanSlayer · 11-10-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punxnotdead309

Thanks guys for all of your advice. I don't feel as though it's so bleak for me. I believe I'll explore my options and perhaps get the surgery when it gets worse, but not overly so. It's just when you're bombarded with one thing after another, you can't help but drown a little.My mom has carpal tunnel, so she's going to give me her braces she uses.

All I need now is a little bit of patience and some good luck

A year ago I tore my left shoulder and had to get surgery. I was told I would have wait a whole YEAR before I even start to lift. And I would never be able to lift what I was lifting before. Here I am a year later all hyped up to lift again, and I tore the right shoulder, it was going too, but I ignored it. So now I am out another year. All I can do is running, legs, and core work.

Dont give up. Im not, just have to wait it out till I get better.

punxnotdead309 · 11-11-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoffeCanSlayer

A year ago I tore my left shoulder and had to get surgery. I was told I would have wait a whole YEAR before I even start to lift. And I would never be able to lift what I was lifting before. Here I am a year later all hyped up to lift again, and I tore the right shoulder, it was going too, but I ignored it. So now I am out another year. All I can do is running, legs, and core work.

Dont give up. Im not, just have to wait it out till I get better.

Wow, that's horrible. I don't feel so badly and I'm sorry to hear that.

Walk2liv · 11-12-2009, 01:43 AM

I had the beginnings of carpel tunnel in my hands from typing on a computer too much... the tingling feelings and numbness... I didn't do as much typing and it went away for me and hasn't come back. That's just my experience.

Jeanle · 11-12-2009, 05:00 PM

Definately get a second opinion. And find a knowledgable trainer or physical therapist who might be able to work around it. Take it from there.

wiiild · 11-26-2009, 10:44 PM

just to provide some support for you--i also have horrible carpal, as a result of many years of horseback riding. both my knees were kicked in by a foal when i was ten years old, resulting in some pretty serious injury. i was not able to walk for quite some time. i have also had many hand/wrist breaks. when i do weights, i can feel crunching everywhere.. it hurts, but i always just get through it. can't afford a doctor and.. well.. idk! chin up!

and like others have said, find a medical professional you can trust and who will work with you in the long-term. good luck!