Bloody toothache in my sodding hand

[SinkGirl]

I’ve had three weeks from hell - twins have had chicken pox one after the other, first with a minor infection, second with a much nastier one. I’ve had very little sleep and none of my usual respite (a few nursery morning sessions) because of the fucking pox. Boys both have ASD and one has other medical issues so the last week especially when he’s been ill has been incredibly stressful.

And now I have pain like a wisdom tooth in my hand - pretty sure it’s carpal tunnel, I’ve had it in my other hand and was resolved by sleeping in a splint for a few nights but of course it only fits the left hand and now it’s my right.

Have ordered one that’s reversible to arrive tomorrow - what can I do in the meantime? I don’t think cutting my arm off is a good long term plan, and I can’t even drink myself stupid as I’ll no doubt have issues with the boys in the night.

Any wonderful tips to save me from a sleepless night?

Ouch! Stretch out the inside of your wrist and apply some ice every hour for 10 mins until bedtime. If you have any bandages or sports tape you could brace it a little overnight before the proper support arrives-you just don’t want to sleep with your hand curled in towards your arm

(Btw if it’s not your hold hand and it’s just thumb or one or two fingers it could be coming from your neck instead)

Whole not hold!

Can you get any ibuprofen gel? It’s the only thing that works for me

It could be gout!
I am 48 and reasonably slim, not a Dickensian sybarite, but I got gout in my left hand annular finger joint at the end of a trip to Paris.
It started as a bit achey in the Musee D’Orsay, and I assumed I’d pulled it. By the time we got to St Pancras it was really painful.
Triggers include orange juice, offal, wines and brandies.
The good news is that Naproxen (I think) saw it off very quickly.

Thanks all - I have whacked on some voltarol gel and am icing it.

I don’t think it’s gout, it’s just the same as I had in my other hand during pregnancy (couple of years ago now).

Gout would result in a red,swollen joint. I would take anti inflammatory such as naproxen or ibuprofen.

If I forgot my splint when away overnight I'd do a homemade one - put a ruler into a sock and bandage it up. If you don't have a bandage a couple of socks will keep it in place, one around your wrist and one around your hand. If you don't have a ruler a dinner knife or a dessert spoon might do. Pretty sure I used a wooden spoon once. A spatula would work.

I knew it was carpal tunnel as soon as I saw your heading. Exactly like toothache! I remember losing the capacity to pick up anything cold!

I wore a splint for years and years but it eased off and just niggles now and then now.

No redness or swelling so don’t think it’s anything else.

It is weird - I’ve had nerve pain in other parts of my body but this is the only one that feels exactly like when my impacted wisdom teeth decide to sneak out a few more millimetres. So strange it’s so similar.

I shall try and improvise something - but the splints generally push your hand back a little don’t they? Maybe I could go Uri Gellar on a spoon.

I think the main thing is to stop yourself from bending your wrist forward in your sleep. It won't matter too much if it's not bent back as long as it can't go forward. The hardest thing is to keep the splint from moving to the side during the night, so it needs to be long enough to extend down your forearm a bit so it's secure. It's definitely better to splint than not, even if it's not perfect. I got my last one in a pharmacy - but when I had it first I had to go to medical supply places. (Ireland) Maybe it's becoming more common!

I had a very improvised splint from some tubigrip, a sock and a metal ruler. Then I took my anti sickness tablets that make me a bit drowsy to fall asleep...

I did manage to get some sleep but the pain this morning is making me want to tear my arm off. Now sitting using a cushion to keep it slightly pressed back and hoping it eases off. DH had to work til early hours this morning so I had to get the boys up (ouch) and now hoping they behave relatively well until he gets up 😁

I had carpal tunnel in both hands when I was pregnant. Very hot weather but was told to wear fingerless gloves as they'd keep the necessary parts secure and warm. They did help.
Really feel for you. Read your other post about the twins and how rough the one in particular has been. I hope things improve soon for you x

Thanks Delila - the antibiotics have been miraculous, he’s still limping but is so much better in himself and it all looks much less angry!

Yes mine was in pregnancy too - I’m sure I have wrist warmers somewhere, I’ll have a look

Nothing useful to add, OP, just that I hope you feel better speedily.
Sounds like a really rough time for all concerned.

Oh thanks Calming - we’ve had a rotten few months on non-stop bugs but the last few weeks have really sucked! Hopefully things pick up for a bit!

No more advice on the hand than others have given, but Jesus I remember the twins with chickenpox thing.
I realised only too late why people have chicken pox parties.
First twin needed a full week off school but had three spots and wasn't really poorly, then other twin (also ASD / ADHD) and other brother got it really badly. I had no idea about the infection being worse the second time it's in the house!

Glad I didn't have to deal with agonising pain as well! Stock up on that voltarol gel and heal well.

It has honestly been hell on Earth. If I could go back in time and pay for jabs I would and now several of my twin Mum friends have booked jabs after seeing how sick the boys have been.

I’ve also got an ovarian cyst that’s causing me all kinds of trouble and I’m just so rundown. I need a holiday 😂

I wore the splint during the day too when mine was bad. I was off work and I remember crying because I couldn't even read a book properly - had to hold it with the ok hand and put it down to turn pages. I'm a fast reader so the interruption every 2 pages just made me so frustrated. Couldn't lift the kettle to make tea, so I had to put the kettle down on the bottom of the sink under the tap, couldn't hold a drink with that hand, couldn't drive as changing gear was too painful.

Did you order the proper splint? I hope you get better quickly. I learned to do everything one handed and it healed up sufficiently to not cause me pain constantly and it has fairly normal usage now as long as I go back to wearing the splint at night if it gives me trouble. I can't type with that hand ever or it comes back straight away. My DS got an xbox a couple of years ago and I can't play anything with him unfortunately. My other wrist isn't the best now either so I sometimes splint that too!

The splint is here (thank god for prime!)

It’s a 3M one and is reversible so could wear it on either hand which is good. Unfortunately, like every splint I’ve ever tried, they seem to make the internal seams out of Brillo pads and barbed wire. Why?! Oh well, I’ll put up with it if it helps. From previous experience it won’t help until I’ve had a night’s sleep with it on but I’m wearing it now anyway.

Previously it’s only been my left hand and it’s so much more debilitating in my right hand as I can’t do anything! At least it’s the weekend so DH can do all the heavy lifting!

It’s my birthday early next week,DH has bought me a digital piano (years since I played so I’m super excited), just hoping I’ll be able to play it!

Oh I hope you will be able to play! Mine was my left hand too. But the right definitely has to be watched now. Do you have slim wrists?

Compared to the rest of me, I do I suppose 😂

Hi OP,
Just wondering if you managed a better night?
Hope so.

You’re so sweet to think of me - yes, much better last night thank you. It’s still a bit twingey so I’m trying to rest it but nothing like before. Thank goodness for splints!

Glad to hear