- Welcome to Living Healthy Chicago.
I'm Jane Monzures.
Now, sometimes the biggest frustrations
that come from a health challenge
are the impact they have on small moments of everyday life.
That's why it's important to seek help
when you're struggling and not just deal with it
when something seems off.
This next woman says she's grateful she got help
for her carpal tunnel syndrome for that very reason.
(uplifting music)
- [Jane Voiceover] It was many years ago
that Maribeth Lenz started noticing
a problem with her hands.
- I no longer could hold onto a phone in my hand.
My hand would go numb and I was constantly switching hands.
Drinking a cup of coffee, if you held that cup too long,
your hand would go numb
and you'd feel you have to put it down.
(coffee maker clicks)
(coffee runs)
- [Jane Voiceover] Those issues eventually began
to impact her routine more and more.
- It started to progressively interfere
with what was going on.
I could no longer manage it.
Couldn't sleep on my side.
I was constantly waking up because my arms would go numb.
When you can't sleep, you get crabby.
Eventually I had some pain discomfort
in one of my arms and finally said, "Enough's enough."
- [Jane Voiceover] Maribeth went to the doctor
who ran some tests and diagnosed her
with carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Hey, doc. How are you?
- Hello Maribeth.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common malady of the hand.
It's essentially a compression of the median nerve
as it enervates your hand and wrist.
There are many factors that could go into compression.
For some people, work related.
It could be systemic.
It could be a abnormal muscle
within your wrist for some reason.
People who complain of numbness complain
that the numbness is so severe
that it wakes them up at night.
For some people, they have to shake out their hand.
For some people, it could also cause pain.
- You get frustrated.
It became part of my life,
knowing that I couldn't do certain tasks.
Started dropping things.
You're limited.
- She came to me with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
Unfortunately that test showed that it was severe.
To correct it is surgical.
So the idea of carpal tunnel surgery is
that you're trying to relieve the pressure on the nerve.
- So finally I just said, "I have to go in and get it done."
- [Jane Voiceover] Maribeth had surgery
first on one side and then the other,
and it didn't take long for her to notice a change.
- Within 24 hours, I could tell the difference.
The numbness and the tingling
and the I can't feel my hand anymore, that's gone.
- We did her second surgery, I would say,
four to six weeks after the first.
She did very well.
Her recovery was very fast.
For patients who have severe carpal tunnel,
surgery may eliminate their numbness
and night pain almost that night.
- The strength is coming back every day.
I can hold a conversation, hold my phone for 15 minutes.
- [Jane Voiceover] Maribeth says one of the best parts
of feeling better is being able
to enjoy everyday moments, like playing with her dog.
- Good girl.
I can play tug-of-war with my German shepard.
Now the limitation is how long can I do it
as opposed to I couldn't do it.
It's a wonderful feeling.
Just gives you the freedom to do what I need to do,
to walk the dog, to hold the leash
instead of always switching hands.
- [Jane Voiceover] Maribeth hopes other struggling
with carpal tunnel will hear her story
and decide to get help instead of living with frustration.
- Talk to your doctor and find out
what the best course of action is for you.
Getting that information,
you can make the best choice for what you need to do.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition.
Management depends on the severity.
Carpal tunnel syndrome could be treated without surgery.
If it is surgical, it's a very minimally invasive surgery
with a quick recovery.
If a person starts having numbness in their fingers,
if it's persistent and it doesn't get better with time,
then you should see your doctor to get evaluated.
- Don't be afraid to do something to improve your life
and the day-to-day things that you do every day.
It's fixable.
It's not something that you have to live with.
I feel so much better.
I'm just glad I did it
and now I can move forward and do more.
(dog barks)