The Tunnel of Carpal

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an affliction that affects one’s hands – it is caused by severe use of hands and wrists to the extent that it inflames the sheaths of the tendons in the wrists. There is a narrow tunnel called the Carpal Tunnel, through which the tendons, nerves and blood vessels flow towards the fingers, and when the sheaths become inflamed they expand and block blood flow and impulses to the fingers.  More specifically, the median nerve is compressed. That’s my dummies version. According to a very reliable source, Wikipedia, repetitive flexion and extension in the wrist significantly increase the fluid pressure in the tunnel through thickening of the synovial tissue that lines the tendons within the carpal tunnel.

I did a lot of cycling, kayaking, and weight lifting to prepare myself for the yacht race, and I also packed up and moved my whole existence mostly on my own to relocate to London for training and the start of the race. About a month before I moved I started waking up in the middle of the night with pains shooting up my arms, and having pins and needles in my thumbs, index and middle fingers in each hand. I was diagnosed with mild Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The only long-term solution is to have a rather minor key hole surgical procedure done to open up the Carpal Tunnel to allow better flow to the fingers, but it takes six weeks to fully recover. I just didn’t have that time before race start. 

A short-term solution is to have cortisone injections in your hands and this lasts for up to six weeks. I had hoped that I could have this done in most of the major ports, and also to further control the pain and debilitating numbness in my fingers with wrist guards. As the race progressed the condition worsened and I ended up having permanent numbness, and the pain at night was sometimes unbearable.

The work on the boat is all about using your hands to pull, grind, tie, carry, lift, wring, knead, hold on, support, stop falls, and control movement especially below deck in rough seas. To do all this with very painful  hands and numb fingers has taken its toll. 

By the end of leg six I was at my wits end with it, and my GP recommended that I take a break. We both knew that getting of the boat is not going to solve my issue long term, but a break would just ease the activities so that I could get some short term feeling back. He didn’t want the numbness to become too prolonged for fear of long-term damage.

So, after that convoluted explanation: I actually decided to take a break from the boat and miss out on the race from San Francisco to Panama. I also found myself not enjoying the sailing any longer (as you probably quite clearly got from my last post), even though I was still enthusiastic about the whole Clipper Round the World experience. I wanted to get some distance to provide me with time to reflect and get my motivation back for this incredible race that I so love. I wanted to enjoy the last races and thought that if I took some time away I would get back on the boat in Panama with renewed enthusiasm.  It was clear what I had to do.

This is probably comparable with how one should manage work stresses and every day life: if it all becomes too much it is a distinct sign that you need a break. Managing leave and vacations is just as important as achieving career goals and helps you live positively and passionately through your every day going-about-your-business. It provides space to really think about how you spend your time, and if it is the best use of your short existence on this earth.

What I am getting from my time away from the sailing is more than what I bargained for! I’ll share some of this with you in my next posts. I am now into the fourth week of my break, but I have to admit that, even though this is an incredible experience, I am missing my boat and crew. It seems I have accomplished my goal!