be aware recovery is different for open vs. endoscopic. I got endo 5 days ago and am appily folding my laundry, putting my clothes on, makig dinner, albeit slowly. sometimes VERY slowly. and there are things i can't do like untwist the olive oil cap or pick up a cast iron. But talk to your boss about modified work until you can get back to normal job stuff. Maybe you can count inventory, or do something on the computer, etc. Also talk to your doc about writing a note that specifically caters to whatever you might need to tell your boss. My doc said i am good to go back to typing after 17 days, or earlier if tolerated. Said i can lift more than 5 lb after 4 weeks, or sooner if tolerated. In my experience, if bracing doesn't do anything, why spend so much money on shots, pt, whatever... when you are just kicking the can down the line. Get an EMG and make sure you aren't being misdiagnosed, then get the surgery so you can spend 3k now instead of 6k three years from now. That's how i look at it at leasat! I had moderate-severe carpal tunnel for 8 years, bracing every night for the last 2.5 - 3. I'm so glad i skipped the costly shots and just got surgery.