I am a mainframe cobol programmer (my whole life).  I had never had any problems with my hands until last summer (2002) when I was required to work overtime (like 10-12 hour days) everyday for about 5 months.  I started having terrible pain and shaking in my left hand and wrist.  I talked to the doctor about it and he seemed to think that even if I had the surgery, if it's continued to be abused (my hands), then the symptoms would just return eventually.  I started favoring my left hand then, and now my right hand has some pain.  (still not as bad as my left hand)    

 

The doctor treats it with ultrasound which helps a lot.  I also wear a wrist band around both my left and right wrists.  (just one of those ace type bandages with the velcro on it) On my left arm, only while I'm working, I wear a arm band just below my left elbow which seems to help with the pain too. 

 

I read some of the posts where people have worse pain after the surgery, gosh I don't want that.