Wrist and hand pain

[elm26]

I've woke up this morning with an awful ache in my hand which has got worse through the day, it's spreading up my arm now to my shoulder.

I'm struggling to change DD's nappies, I've just gone to clean over the bathroom and can't grip and squeeze the excess water out of the cleaning pad with my hand, it's like it's gone completely useless. It's achy and shooting pains from my finger tips to my wrist now aching up to my shoulder.

It's getting really painful and not sure what to do/what it is but don't want to bother GP. Any ideas anyone? X

How old is DC?
I developed RSI in my hand and wrist when my DC was small and ended up in a wrist split and having physio. It’s apparently quite common in new mothers, to do with all the new things you have to do, including pushing the pram.

RSI or carpal tunnel?

I was going to suggest carpal tunnel. Definitely get a GP appointment. If it is carpal tunnel a steroid injection should do the trick. It did for me.

These can be signs of a heart issue, you need to get proper medical advice.

I have this, when it's bad I can't even hold a hairbrush to brush my hair. Had many sports related sprains as a teen and physio so put it down to that. Only had the odd attack when it is that bad and got prescribed Diclofenac but that gave me the worst stomach cramps. Diclofenac is a strong NSAID so you can try Ibuprofen or Voltorol cream, or the red Tiger Balm if you can't use ibuprofen

I find my wrists twinge in Autumn and Spring as the weather changes, keeping them warm with wrist warmers is useful. Turtles Doves, Seasalt fingerless gloves make a big difference.

De Quervains is always to be suspected in new mothers, and a steroid injection should sort it. I would get medical advice as soon as possible though just in case it’s something different. I had De Q and it didn’t come on so suddenly or go up the arm so quickly.