Preparing for an appointment

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and what to expect from the doctor.

What you can do

• Take note of when your symptoms are at their worst. Does any particular activity seem to make them worse, or do you notice them at a particular time of day?
• Keep track of the things you've tried to make the symptoms better.
• Write down the medications you've taken to manage your symptoms.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will usually want to know:

• How long you've had the problem.
• If it came on suddenly or developed over time.
• If it's getting better, worse or staying the same.
• If there are certain activities that seem to cause it, make it worse or make it better.

What you can do in the meantime

If you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, there are some simple things you can do before you see a doctor for the first time.

First, try to determine whether any activities seem to make it worse, and change how you do those or avoid them if possible. For example, if driving seems to cause symptoms, try changing the position of your hands on the steering wheel.

Also, although there is some cost involved, there is no harm in trying a wrist splint at night to see if that helps the symptoms.