OK...I know this really doesn't fall under Internal Medicine, but didn't think it fell under anything else either....
I've been having horrible pain in my right wrist since November. (And I'm right-handed)
I know it's from my serving job, since it didn't start since November and I've been serving every weekend since August...I finally went to the doctor and filed a workers comp claim...I have no insurance.
They did an x-ray to make sure it wasn't bone-related, and the x-ray came back negative...the doctor diagnosed tendonitis.
So now I'm off work (from the Bistro) for two weeks while I rest my right hand completely...but since I'm part time, the company has no obligation to pay me. (not that it would make much difference, since MOST of what I made there was from tips...and I average 20%-25% per day...darn it)
I'm just glad that the medical bills will be taken care of. I'm waiting to get an appt with an Orthopedic guy for a cortisone shot...which should help from what I understand.
And yes, I'm looking for other work that will not cause this to recur...
At the moment, I'm to wear an ace bandage 24/7...although I've found I can't sleep with it, because when I wake up my hand is swollen...so I have splint which I've been wearing to sleep - just so I don't move my wrist.
I think I just needed to whine...if anyone else has had a problem like this I would like to know what you did to help relieve the pain. When I move my wrist, or even when I write, the pain is absolutely excrutiating.
I agree, it does sound like carpal tunnel syndrome. I had CTS and the only relief for me was surgery. The pain had gotten too severe. The splints and/or shots do help some people though. CTS is actually pressure on the median nerve. The surgery itself is called a "release"...cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to relieve the pressure on the median nerve.
Posts: 6656 | Location: Land of Lincoln, USA | Registered: 07-04-02
It is not carpal tunnel...it is centered in the TOP left portion of my wrist, where Carpal Tunnel affects the bundle of nerves right at the top of your wrist on the UNDERSIDE generally. (And they've done tests)
For me, if you put your right arm in front of you, the back of your hand up...and feel the two bones protruding on each side...it is just to the right of the left-hand bone.
It is definitely tendonitis. It's related of course...also caused by the onset of activity not normally undertaken - in my case, the repetitive motion of serving, which I'd never done before August of last year.
Interestingly enough...typing doesn't hurt at all...writing is tough, so I've been writing as little as possible. I type with my fingers only however, and have been working on keyboards for over 30 years with no ill effects. It's only been since I've been in this serving job that it's come up. My other job at the Inn requires minimal writing (thank goodness), so I've still been able to do that.
Hopefully I'll be getting a cortisone shot this week...and I'm actively looking for something other than a serving job...because even though I enjoy that, I can't help but think that even if my wrist heals, it'll come back. And I don't even WANT to look forward to this pain on an ongoing basis.
