Hi Guys, Has anyone experienced the following: Nu

[Thingfish]

Hi Guys, Has anyone experienced the following:
Numbness and tingling in all the fingers of your casting hand except for the pinky finger. I recently got into casting lures and after a few days of intensive casting and reeling in buck tail jigs and spoons with jigging motions I started experiencing the symptoms as I described. After some googling it became evident that I am suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which was caused by the constant casting and retrieving over a period of about a week and a half. I was spending about 2 to 3 hours a day over this period doing this. I have now stopped a few days to see if it will go away but so far the tingling and numbness is still there. It worries me as I don't want to have to stop casting lures because of this.
I did come across this medical device for this particular anglers problem whilst googling about this condition. This device is custom designed for fisherman to alleviate this exact problem.
http://www.landbigfish.com/articles/default.cfm?ID=269

Anybody else have any experience with what I am experiencing?

 

[Ninja-Nic]

I'm not a qualified healthcare professional, but I reckon you should go to a doctor and get that checked out man. Would not be cool finding out the hard way that something else is wrong.

 

[Dingleberry]

I've just got over a bad case of it now. Had never heard of it before. Cycling was what got me. The nerve damage should heal within a month or two. It is very strange that you got it from fishing though. What about your technique do you suspect caused it? Perhaps your setup could be lighter?

 

[Thingfish]

Dingleberry wrote:

I've just got over a bad case of it now. Had never heard of it before. Cycling was what got me. The nerve damage should heal within a month or two. It is very strange that you got it from fishing though. What about your technique do you suspect caused it? Perhaps your setup could be lighter?

It was with light tackle....7 foot carbon rod and small coffee grinder. It's the constant semi-repetitive action of casting and retrieving a lure that caused it. Seems like especially fly-fisherman get it a lot.

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/80194-Anglers-with-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/XHfCbOLD7Q8

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/24/sports/outdoors-getting-hooked-despite-pain-on-fly-fishing-for-shad.html

http://www.flyfishing.co.uk/general-fly-fishing-discussion/89937-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.html



http://www.muirortho.com/prevent-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/

http://www.landbigfish.com/articles/default.cfm?ID=269

http://www.ergocise.com/pains.html

Ps. Did u go see a doctor? did u get medication? If so which? And do u do special exercises for the problem? Have all your symptoms disappeared?

 

[Stephen.JG]

did you catch anything decent??


ps - a simple operation to the wrist can sort it out.

 

[Thingfish]

Stephen.JG wrote:

did you catch anything decent??


ps - a simple operation to the wrist can sort it out.

I will look into that still.

Caught this Leervis (70cm) on a small S-bend spoon. Also 2 smaller one's which I released. This one went onto the braai.

 

[Stephen.JG]

as they say, no pain.. no lekker braai!

hope you get it sorted soon !

 

[JFE]

Stephen.JG wrote:

ps - a simple operation to the wrist can sort it out.

DO NOT OPERATE! I've had /have it, mine is caused due to computer work and motorcycle riding. Two things I've changed, padded mouse pad (one with the big "hump" to raise and support your wrist) and my grip on the bike, still hurt at times on long distances (200km + rides).
There are a lot of techniques to overcome the nerve pinch, only in extreme cases you can operate i.e. when you cannot grip down onto something or can't open a tap anymore.
Look at all your daily activities; your route cause is in there somewhere.
PS! A good clinical therapist will sort you out with a good strapping. They strapped my hand with this elastic sports tape (Kinesio tape) and two weeks later 200% improved. Give it a try, stay away from the knife.

 

[Thingfish]

JFE wrote:

Stephen.JG wrote:

ps - a simple operation to the wrist can sort it out.

DO NOT OPERATE! I've had /have it, mine is caused due to computer work and motorcycle riding. Two things I've changed, padded mouse pad (one with the big "hump" to raise and support your wrist) and my grip on the bike, still hurt at times on long distances (200km + rides).
There are a lot of techniques to overcome the nerve pinch, only in extreme cases you can operate i.e. when you cannot grip down onto something or can't open a tap anymore.
Look at all your daily activities; your route cause is in there somewhere.
PS! A good clinical therapist will sort you out with a good strapping. They strapped my hand with this elastic sports tape (Kinesio tape) and two weeks later 200% improved. Give it a try, stay away from the knife.

Thanks for that good advice. Wasn't too keen on the op anyway and after your warning I googled it and found lots of stories of people who had the op and either the problem got worse or didn't help much at all. Will try this Kinesio tape. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dingleberry]

Sorry to come back so late. As the other poster said - don't panic! I seem to remember having read that the nerve damage could take up to 6 months to heal. Like I said, mine has almost fully healed in about two. I could barely pinch a pen between thumb and forefinger for week after and now I am pretty much back to normal. I just did basic hand exercises and stretches and it seemed to help. It is frightening not to have full control over your body, even if is is that localised - makes one thankful that the good Lord provides us with health and the ability to heal!

 

[rofflign]

Used to get this all the time, since I switched to a low carb diet it's gone.

It flares up from time to time if I fall off the wagon and have lots of beer or stuff myself on pizza.

 

[MichaelK]

Thingfish, carpal tunnel syndrome does'nt simply develop over night mate. Its the thickening of the tunnel that chanels all your nerves from you fingers and palm up through into you arm. The thickening develops slowly over time.
People especially prone to carpal tunnel syndrom are us computer users and gamers, as the pressure from your palm placed on the mouse all day whilst working at the computer thickens the sinue around the nerves.
Guys working with jack hammers all day develop vibration induced white finger which is the restriction of blood vessels in the hand and a lack of blood flow into the hands, carpal tunel syndrom is normally another ailment developed alot later from regular heavy duty work like jack hammering.

Also if you do have carpal tunnel syndrom, its a relatively quick operation to undergo. The sinue restricting the tunnel in the palm is cut out and removed. You are normally back to work within a week

 

[Thingfish]

MichaelK wrote:

Thingfish, carpal tunnel syndrome does'nt simply develop over night mate. Its the thickening of the tunnel that chanels all your nerves from you fingers and palm up through into you arm. The thickening develops slowly over time.
People especially prone to carpal tunnel syndrom are us computer users and gamers, as the pressure from your palm placed on the mouse all day whilst working at the computer thickens the sinue around the nerves.
Guys working with jack hammers all day develop vibration induced white finger which is the restriction of blood vessels in the hand and a lack of blood flow into the hands, carpal tunel syndrom is normally another ailment developed alot later from regular heavy duty work like jack hammering.

Also if you do have carpal tunnel syndrom, its a relatively quick operation to undergo. The sinue restricting the tunnel in the palm is cut out and removed. You are normally back to work within a week

Well like I said it started after a lot of casting and retrieving over a period of about 2 weeks or so. It still hasn't gone away and all the symptoms are exactly like Carpal Tunnel is described. Anyway today I went and purchased Vit. B6 tablets, Castor oil for massaging my wrist and arm and anti-inflammatory tablets. Also doing the prescribed exercises as I found them on the internet. Hope this will help clear away the problem. Not to keen on that op and it's only recommended if all else fails. People who have had the op report various end results and not all of them good.