Somehow my body has decided that pounding 50 pounds of nails in the last month counts as overuse. I've had issues with it very mildly for at least 15 years, but the last two nights I've woken up with enough pain that I can't sleep. Five minutes after waking I'm fine and I can work all day, but I'm aware that this probably isn't a good thing.
Any advice?
Get the surgery. It was the best thing that I ever did.
No real advice, but I once got tennis elbow watching a baywatch marathon.
Spoolpigeon wrote: No real advice, but I once got tennis elbow watching a baywatch marathon.
Wow, you're a huge fan of David Hasselhoff!
Huge might be a little optimistic
I was once told by three (Yes, 3) hand surgeons and a neurologist that I had carpal tunnel...But I didn't. Just be sure of what you have before doing anything is all I have to say.
if it's a temporary condition caused by overwork -- hammering nails puts lots of impact on the wrist, on top of just maintaining a tight grip on the hammer -- then i'd just pop some anti-inflammatory about an hour before bed.
I have the same issue...buy wrist braces and wear them at night. I was convinced I needed the surgery until a Dr. suggested I try wearing the braces at night. Once I did, all the symptoms that were bothering me during the day and keeping me awake at night disappeared.
I'll eventually need the surgery, but this was an easy way to avoid getting cut unnecessarily.
I had severe carpal tunnel in my 20s while working with racehorses. The doc talked to me about surgery - but suggested that the only real cure was to stop doing what was causing the problem. Sure enough, it went away on its own when I stopped letting 1,000 lb. critters try to pull my hands off the ends of my arms. But bandaging and liniments helped ease the pain at the time. So did a rather illegal (to humans) but common track substance called DMSO.
Good opportunity to convince SWMBO to purchase a nail gun?
Thanks for the advice. The problem was actually worse when I built the second story on my house using the nail gun. Something about that particular shock was bad. I'm pretty sure it will go away once this is done and I've got some stretches to do now. The wrist brace idea is something I'll try. Once I'm up and moving it doesn't seem to be a problem, it's just sleeping these last two nights that have been bad.
What size hammer are you using?
Get a wrist brace and some padded gloves. When I used to work construction in the summer (while off from teaching)I would always have similar problems. Once I got a wrist brace and some padded gloves to reduce the shock I didn't have the problem anymore.
Replacing the 22 ounce Estwing with a Stiletto Titanium framing hammer reduced my symptoms by at least 75%
Hammer with the other hand for a while? 
Lesley wrote: I had severe carpal tunnel in my 20s while working with racehorses. The doc talked to me about surgery - but suggested that the only real cure was to stop doing what was causing the problem. Sure enough, it went away on its own when I stopped letting 1,000 lb. critters try to pull my hands off the ends of my arms. But bandaging and liniments helped ease the pain at the time. So did a rather illegal (to humans) but common track substance called DMSO.
I remember back in the 70's that some forms of recreational drugs were mixed with DMSO and the users claimed a quicker/more intense high
My doctor told me to tape my hand around a toilet paper tube so my fingers were bent while I was sleeping. Seemed to help, but not as much as the fact that I've had just about no work since November. Amazing how not using your hands for 2 1/2 months tends to make the pain go away.
Yah, anything mixed with DMSO is driven through the tissues and into the bloodstream. Smells gross, like fermented garlic... which really made it unpleasant to clean racehorse stalls if they were being treated with it.
If you get the surgery, buy insurance to cover an unsuccessful surgery.
My father in law lost the use of his right hand due to some mishap during carpal tunnel surgery and was also unsuccessful at obtaining any financial consideration for the damage inflicted by the less than unsuccessful surgery. Something about it being an elective surgery and he was aware of the risk.
This will keep me from ever have any surgery that is not 100% necessary to maintain a "normal" life.
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