Anyone used a wrist splint/support?

[fuzzpig]

I am thinking of getting one. I have been ill for a while now with what seems to be chronic fatigue syndrome. So a lot of pain all over, often quite random, but ATM my left wrist is hurting frequently and severely and it's driving me mad :(

I'm sure it's just related to the CFS and work is making it worse, even things like a little typing or moving a couple of books sets it off.

All the supports I've looked at online say they are for things like carpal tunnel, so DH reckons it won't help, but I am desperate for something to help and can't see the doctor for at least 2 weeks. Any thoughts?

I used a fabric splintwith a metal insert which the hospital gave me when I sprained my wrist. We weren't sure if it might be broken at the time, but it wasn't.

I actually found it made it hurt more, which was weird, but they said this is normal so I stopped wearing it after a few days.

You might actually have carpal tunnel thingy - sorry you are suffering, you could maybe try one of the stretchy white fabric ones without any structure, like a tube thing?

The one I've found is neoprene and nylon so apparently more flexible than metal but stiff enough to prevent too much movement if that makes sense.

I was thinking of asking the pharmacist in town as they are supposed to be able to advise on minor symptoms etc but not sure if that includes this kind of thing!

It can't hurt to try, and it could be that you have a bit of CTS going on. Loads of different ones out there (I have 5 different sorts), but the neoprene is nice and warm and supportive

I don't actually know what carpal tunnel syndrome is tbh!

cts is when one of the nerves to your hand is squashed as it goes past your wrist. You get pins and needles in your thumb and first two fingers and pain in those

If its causing you that much pain my advice would be to go your GP. I had a similar pain last year and was referred to a hand therapist. I got a custom made splint and it worked wonders. I sympathise- the pain often kept me awake as it was so bad.

Sorry just seen you can't see go for two weeks. Why can't you get one sooner?

I had wrist splints when I got carpal tunnel when I was pregnant. Dunno what they were made of but the splint part was solid and didn't bend. Did help the pain a bit but still couldn't use my hands at all with or without them. I honestly don't know if they would help in your situation. Or not so just try and see? Hope you feel a bit better soon x

Thanks, I'm going to try and go into town later today as we have a large Boots there, if I can summon the energy. Don't feel quite so frantic about it today as I'm at home - looks like it's work that's making it worse. I work in a library so lots of little manual tasks as well as computer work.

Bizarrely I do get pins and needles in my hand but it's usually the third and little fingers rather than the first/second/thumb. I get the same in my feet sometimes. I figured it was all related to the other pains.

Can't see a doctor yet just because it's nigh on impossible to get an appointment sooner than a fortnight!

Got a neoprene one in boots - quite comfy!

I have carpal tunnel, and have different splints depending on day/night, and what I'm doing (IYSWIM).

I recently bought a couple of neoprene ones in poundland, they're not bad at all!

Hi.

I don't have CTS but I do have very slim wrists and I suppose that might be the cause of various RSI's I've had over the years. I found that using the thick neoprene splints just cut off my blood supply and made the pain worse. I used bog standard tubigrip and found that actually helped me, but only because it made me more aware of my wrist and therefore stopped me using it as much.

The only thing that actually helped to remove the pain and was absolute bliss to use were anti inflammatories from the doctor. I could feel the warmth flow back to my wrist and it was heavenly.

I have no idea if this helps CTS, but it sure helped me.

It's helped a bit over the weekend, it's also made me more aware of that hand so I've avoided using it as much. I'm not sure whether to wear it at work. If I had a proper medical issue with my wrist (like carpal tunnel) I would but I don't want people to be all like I'm a hypochondriac. People don't really 'get' chronic fatigue syndrome at work. Right now I could use a similar product for my right knee and ankle as they both hurt so much.

Or maybe I am over thinking it!

Be careful with the wrist splints - overuse can cause other problems. Physio has drummed this into me over 14yrs of having RA. I would save them for specific tasks such as typing. If you are worried about using it at work make sure you have correct wrist supports (those gel things you can buy in staples etc) and take regular breaks when typing/using pc. Every 10mins, wriggle your fingers, flex your wrists etc. Running them under a cold tap often helps too. I use a computer very heavily for CAD so I actually have a greater issues with clicking with a mouse (I do thousands of clicks per drawing/model) so have a special mouse which uses the stronger thumb joint.

By wrist supports I mean the ones that sit on the desk to support your hands in front of the keyboards.

I use a variety of splints and supports for what I call weak wrists (but doctors would probably have a technical name for it). I've played with a few things over the years and now tend to wear a sports support if I'm doing any activity that puts too much strain on my wrist. For very painful episodes, I have a proper immobilising wrist support which I will wear for a few days during the day time only and usually take anti-inflammatories as well. However, I reccomend you see a doctor and get proper advice. If its a long term problem then ask for a referral to a hand surgeon who will advice an appropriate treatment.