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Original poster

Ganglion cyst on inside of my left wrist

47 replies

Namechangeapologies · 14/10/2021 13:22

i have two pretty large ganglion cysts on the inside of my left wrist.
I have shown them to both my GP and a consultant at a hospital i was a patient at (not at the hospital to be treated for the ganglion cyst - was being treated for something else).
Neither GP nor consultant suggested anything after just asking me whether it hurts (answer - a bit).

I do a lot of typing for my work - i am on my laptop all day everything but this has been the case for the last 12 or more years and the cysts are quite new.
Can anyone who has had ganglion cysts suggest any ways to get rid? thanks in anticipation

OP posts:
Upsky · 14/10/2021 13:49

DS (23) has one of these and GP wouldn't do anything. It comes and goes and is very painful. He works from home and is on computer all day.
I would be interested to know if others have managed to get rid of these.

Original poster
Namechangeapologies · 14/10/2021 13:56

thanks Upsky.

Mine seems to be hurting a bit more as the days go by and it is quite protruded. I wondered about wearing one of those wrist support bands although not convinced that would make it go away
any other suggestions much welcomed

OP posts:
Upsky · 14/10/2021 14:12

DS uses ice packs and volterol (diclofenic) gel.
His protrudes more some days than others, in fact it almost disappears sometimes.

Original poster
Namechangeapologies · 14/10/2021 14:18

is there any pattern to when it disappears (eg when he is on holiday and not typing etc)
i am flumoxed that they have appeared on my left wrist and not my right. i have even removed my watch and step tracker from my left wrist so it is not that. Thanks for the suggestions of icepacks and volterol, I will try those

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 14/10/2021 14:19

I checked out the NHS website. It said they aren't usually treated on the NHS unless causing consideable pain or discomfort. It does sound as though yours are. Go back to the GP and say you are in pain and its affecting your ability to do your job. If they still say no can you afford a private consultation? Its wrong you should be suffering like this.

SylvanasWindrunner · 14/10/2021 14:23

Hit it with a bible! Grin

Original poster
Namechangeapologies · 14/10/2021 14:24

Thanks Viviennemary.
Part of the problem i suspect is perpetuated by the way i work as part of WFH (laptop and wrists not supported). If i was in the office the occy health team might be able to provide one of those eurgonominc keyboards or something (not convinced that would help but it is one idea) - but as we are still wfh they are not doing anything like that obviously

OP posts:
SylvanasWindrunner · 14/10/2021 14:24

But yes if you're in pain and it's affecting your quality of life then the NHS should be the ones to deal with it. I presume they only mean they won't treat it if they think it's purely cosmetic perhaps.

Original poster
Namechangeapologies · 14/10/2021 14:25

yes i have heard the bible thing - not sure that would work!

OP posts:
SylvanasWindrunner · 14/10/2021 14:25

And even if you are WFH they still have to make sure you are using proper equipment for your health surely? I would ask them about ergonomic stuff for sure.

FleasInMyKnees · 14/10/2021 14:26

Dont hit it with a book, people used to do this with ganglion on the back of their hands, its inside of your wrist near arteries and veins.

FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 14/10/2021 14:28

I had one when I was a teenager on the inside of my wrist and got rid of it by accidently diving into a too shallow swimming pool and banging my wrist off the bottom... Didn't half hurt but it disappeared for ever!

Brollywasntneededafterall · 14/10/2021 14:30

I had mine for 9 months. It went away but have increasing lack of movement in that whole arm now. After asking in April have just been approved for physio now... Push op... Or be forgotten about!

madisonbridges · 14/10/2021 14:31

@SylvanasWindrunner

Hit it with a bible! Grin
OMG. My doctor actually suggested this. As it turned out he just squeezed it really hard. I used to get one at the base of my ring finger. When it came back, I just grasped the brass bed frame and squeezed hard and it popped. Happened a couple of times and then never came back.
Viviennemary · 14/10/2021 14:31

I agree with Sylvanas. Ask them for a special keyboard. Even if you are working from home.

PesosBandage · 14/10/2021 14:34

I was coming here to say that it's the word of god you're needing ;) but I see I've been beaten to it by many others!

Original poster
Namechangeapologies · 14/10/2021 14:55

it is exactly in the position where you would place your first finger to take a pulse on the inside of my wrist, and there are two - a larger one at the bottom and a slightly smaller one up towards the palm.
The typing movement with my thumb feels a bit painful and gripping things (jar lids etc) is more difficult with that hand (although I am right handed). Does anyone have any experience with wrist supports? worth a go?

OP posts:
Upsky · 14/10/2021 15:28

Absolutely do not hit it! You may rupture it.
Just thought of something else DS does, he has a stand for his tablet, got it through work.

Upsky · 14/10/2021 15:30

I have wrist supports for something completely different, tenosynovitis. They are rigid and v uncomfortable but do help for that. I imagine anything that pads the ganglion will protect it? How about soft wrist warmers?

pandora206 · 14/10/2021 15:40

I have a ganglion cyst on my middle finger bottom joint. It is sometimes painful and gets in the way when I type, so I saw the GP. He was very reluctant to do anything but in the end agreed to drain it (aspiration), which he did. Unfortunately, the cyst filled again within a couple of hours.

The GP would not refer me to have the cyst surgically removed, indicating that this was no longer available on the NHS. He suggested I go privately. (I haven't so far but will consider this option if it gets any bigger or more painful).

madisonbridges · 14/10/2021 16:06

@pandora206. I had it in the exact same place. Used to pop it by squeezing the brass bedhead - on doctors instructions (not the bedhead - he doesn't know anything about my bedroom!). Popped it a couple of times and then it never came back. Find something hard and round - brush handle for example; put your fingers round it, making sure the ganglion is resting directly on it; squeeze as hard as you can. So satisfying when it pops. 🙂🙃🙂

Bells3032 · 14/10/2021 16:18

I had one of these on the back of my wrist for years. got rid of it and kept coming back. the thing that worked was using a compression sleeve like you get for RSI and a large rubber. Place the rubber over the cyst and then put the compression sleeve on on top. put it on as much as you can manage each day. it makes it go down slowly and your body reabsorbs better. 8 years later never reoccurred :)

mumonthehill · 14/10/2021 16:22

Ds had his removed on the nhs as it was causing pain and restricted what he could do with his hand. Was great for about a year but it has now returned although it is smaller and causes less pain.

Wellthatsit · 14/10/2021 16:24

I had one on the back of my hand for years, and itndid cause quite a lot of pain and referred pain in arm. It did come and go, but finally got rid of it when I slipped on ice, falling backwards and putting my hand down to break my fall. Really hurt my wrist *thought it was broken) bit it was worth it to get rid of the ganglion! It's never one back.

TuftyMarmoset · 14/10/2021 16:27

I have to vouch for the whack it approach, worked for me when I had one in the same place as @pandora206 - dropped the handle bar bit of a bench vice through onto it and that did the job.