I started to get the same thing. First my thumb hurt, then my wrist. The pharmacist recommended Tylenol arthritis and a splint for my hand. That helped alot. Glad it not your right hand.

I put an ice pack on my elbow a couple times a day when my fingers are tingling and take a day or two off of stitching when it is bad. It relieves a lot of the swelling and really helps, gets me back to stitching etc.

I had the tests done for carpal tunnel, turned out my issue was my elbow. I’ve been using a brace at night, and it has made a big difference. It might help (if you can stand it) to wear the brace when your stitching. Good luck!

I found wearing "compression" gloves helps a lot, especially with my holding hand. Found them in at Joanns with the quilters tools. Also, I found Qsnaps to be a little easier because I can prop them between my belly and wrist, relieving my hand from the constant gripping. Hope you find something that works.

Hope your hand starts feeling better soon. I had a friend that had it in both hands.

Oh, no! Wouldn't you know that an avid cross stitcher would get carpal tunnel syndrome? When I broke my left wrist and hand, it was reassembled by manipulation and pinning (no scar) by a very bright orthopedic surgeon. After about two months of healing, I had developed carpal tunnel! He asked what I did with my left hand and not with my right. It took me a few minutes to figure out if there was anything and, it was indeed holding a hoop. I had alteady noticed cramping and pain there and switched to Qsnaps and compression gloves, but that was before the fracture. Now I have broken the right wrist. It was fixed by a different orthopod, but board certified. It looks as if a drunk and clumbsy pre-schooler put it on at an odd angle! It hurts 24/7 and aches as well. I am seeing my "first" doc next week. I can truly relate to you with hand trouble.
If you need surgery, or in anticipation, ask your pals if they know anyone who has had the surgery. Ask them if it works okay now and if so, who was their doctor. Might save you later, or not, but we sisters need to navigate the mysteries of medicine, which is always seen through a dense fog, no channel markers and someone else at the wheel.

I totally agree with you Sue! I had a situation 30+ years ago where I had terrible neck, left shoulder and arm pain. The so-called ‘spinal specialist’ wanted to fuse two of my neck vertebrae together because I had a spur formation on one of the vertebrae that was near my spinal cord and this was a ‘private practise’ specialist. DH urged me to get a second opinion, so We went to CC (Cleveland Clinic) and the spinal team agreed that I have a spur there but it was NOMINAL and was NOT the cause of the problem!
I had the problem corrected with physical therapy.
I get at LEAST 2 opinions from physicians before I let anyone cut into me and I ask friends who I know who have had the specific surgery as to what their results were.
I pick out my doctors and surgeons as carefully as I stitch ‘over one’ on Black 28-count and 32 count fabric .