De Quervain syndrome

[WetBandits]

Sorry to post in AIBU, I’ve never had much traction in the general health board in the past.

I’ve had worsening pain in my inner right wrist since I had a baby a few months ago, it’s a constant gnawing/burning pain and is making life with a small baby very difficult as I’m always terrified I’m going to drop him due to the pain and weakness! I can feel the tendons getting stuck when I bend my wrist and have to manually ‘unpop’ them, which is agony. I’m certain it is De Quervain as all the symptoms fit and the diagnostic movement test is positive. I’ve tried splinting, compression, ice, rest, exercises and painkillers and absolutely nothing is touching the pain. I have self-referred to see a physio in 2 weeks as getting a face to face appointment to see my GP is almost impossible.

Can anyone who has suffered with this please shed any light on how long it generally lasts, what treatment you’ve had for it and if there is anything else I can possibly try to ease the pain? Thank you ☺️

mine was cured by a steroid injection from the GP. I just had to totally rest it for 24 hours afterwards. I’d push the GP for an appointment.

I had this. Splinting did help, but I had to wear the splint pretty much all the time. I had one that immobilised my thumb. And the GP gave me the highest strength of ibuprofen gel and said I should get the steroid injection mentioned by PP if it didn't get better.

Only cured by surgery. Physio made it worse, steroid injection was only temporary relief so had surgery to cut the tendon sheath and no problems since. (Not allowed to drive for a few weeks and had to keep the bandage dry - complete with splint!)

I had cortisone injection- I had to have 2 courses and it’s not returned. I had a physio who had expertise in the area- cortisone is the gold standard treatment . You can only have it 2 times I think then it’s an op. If you’re still breast feeding especially at night ligaments will still be soft

I found vitamin D and B12 helped me, as blood tests showed I was deficient. Mine didn't go away for 2 years after having a baby. Sometimes it will resurface, but overall much better!

Mine healed on its own within 6-8 months postpartum. I remember that awful pinging feeling! I did have a wrist splint which I wore for a couple of hours at night when baby was sleeping (before I went to bed). I used to apply ibuprofen gel to it which helped a bit, but it just improved after a while.

I had my physio appointment, he agreed it was DQ and has emailed me the very same list of exercises I’ve been doing for weeks 🥲 the pain and weakness is insane now; I tried to sign a form yesterday and couldn’t even hold the bloody pen!

He’s calling me next week to check how I’m getting on, I think I will ask for a steroid injection as I can’t cope with the constant agony anymore 😩

Finally had a steroid injection today! I wasn’t prepared for how badly it was going to hurt as I’ve had steroid injections in my shoulders before and didn’t find them too bad.

Fuck me, I felt like my thumb was on fire the whole time he was injecting me. I actually screamed, and I am generally not a screamer hoping like hell this works because I don’t know how I’d let him do it again if it doesn’t!

Have the intentions helped OP? I the same pain in both hands and I’m supposed to be starting work in ten days, very nervous about this getting worse.

I feel for you OP, I had this right through my first pregnancy and beyond, I had physio, splinting, acupuncture, laser therapy and nothing helped. It was only when DS was about 9 months old I went back to the doctor in desperation, got a young locum I hadn’t seen before and he diagnosed me straight away and prescribed a course of ibuprofen (the strong prescription strength ones) for 2 weeks.
That cured it and it’s never been back, even in my second pregnancy.