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General health

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Original poster

Aching wrist /hand- Anyone have any advice please.

30 replies

size6feet · 13/02/2010 09:45

Its between the ring and middle finger on the back of my hand and down my wrist below the thumb. The strength in it is going and now I have trouble gripping things like a bannister.

It is job related but I cannot give up or change what I do. Are there any exercises I could do or does anyone have any suggestions? My doc has given me calcium tablets to take.

OP posts:

mrspoppins · 13/02/2010 18:18

google Carpel Tunnel syndrome. May be that? Lots that can be done for that.

Original poster

size6feet · 14/02/2010 08:08

Thank you mrspoppins I'll give it a try.

OP posts:

deloola · 14/02/2010 08:16

Go and see the docs - I had rsi in my wrist and they gave me some tablet to relieve the swelling.

Original poster

size6feet · 14/02/2010 08:22

I couldnt see the point of the calcium tablets though but I do take one a day as prescribed.

OP posts:

Original poster

size6feet · 14/02/2010 08:27

cross posts with deloola. I did go to the docs. She said everyone gets some type of rsi with their jobs that even her fingers were affected with writing out prescriptions. my hand is aching all the time now and keeps biting me.

Are there any exercises I could do to strengthen?

OP posts:

deloola · 14/02/2010 08:31

Could you go back and ask for a referral to a physio?

thumbwitch · 14/02/2010 08:32

do you mind saying what job you do? As in, how does it affect your hand?

You could try anti-inflammatory topical preparations, e.g. ibuprofen gel, tiger balm.

your doc's dismissive attitude to RSI is a bit shit, tbh - you could try seeing another one.

Original poster

size6feet · 14/02/2010 10:25

deloola my doc sent me to physio last year for knee trouble. I got excellent help with that and at the last appointment I asked about my wrist. They said if my doc referred me they would look at that too. When I went back to her thats when she said (as above) and prescribed calcium.

Thumbwitch. I see now the docs attitude could have been a lot better.

I bought some anti-inflammatory ibuprofen gel last week and have used it a few times. Can only be applied once every 4 hours though. Are there any restrictions on tiger balm? I will have a look for it tomorrow.

OP posts:

thumbwitch · 14/02/2010 10:47

There aren't time restrictions on the use of tiger balm like there are on ibuprofen gel because tiger balm doesn't contain any pharmaceutical drugs. It might be worth checking via Google, if you are on any other medication, or if you have any allergy issues. If you do manage to get some of it, try and get the stuff in a white box rather than the red initially - the white stuff isn't as strong. The stuff in the red box is much stronger and can stain clothing.

You could, if you want, try taking tart cherry preparations, either as a juice or capsule - it can take up to 2 weeks to have an effect but is excellent for any type of inflammatory, arthritic or gouty joint issues - I love it and wish I could get hold of it more easily in Australia (not so easy here) - it worked very well for me.

CantSupinate · 14/02/2010 11:28

I had a similar attitude from GP: "What do you expect us to do about it? It's a soft tissue injury." she said.

Keeping hands warm is very helpful in many cases, size6feet. Also taking regular breaks at work (it is quite possible that your workplace should be accomodating you a lot more, do you have a Union rep to talk to?). Could you change your job?

apple99 · 14/02/2010 15:37

I had similar symptoms and after physio which didn't help much I had a cortisone injection in my wrist and it really helped, all pain had gone within 24 hours.

Original poster

size6feet · 15/02/2010 04:01

Thumbwitch thanks for the extra advice on the tiger balm. Tart Cherry have not heard of. Is that just unsweetened cherries?

CantSupinate: Your doc sounds just like mine! and another female too.
I work part time and they have been letting me take a break halfway through my shift so I finish a bit later. Work also try to put me on to doing something else when possible to help me out. Not sure if I could change my job within the company but it may well be worth asking, yes.

Apple99 - did the injection sort it out for good? I may well go back and ask again to be referred to physio.

I did Google as mrspoppins suggested. Read lots of interesting helpful stuff. Very informative. The best site offers to download exercises I can do that will stop the pain and sort it out but at the cost of $87.

OP posts:

juneybean · 15/02/2010 06:51

I get it terrible in my wrist going towards my elbow.

If you hold a small ball in your palm and that make circular motions with your hand, this might help for strengthening.

mrspoppins · 15/02/2010 11:27

juneybean...I had carpel tunnel syndrome in both hands years ago and had them operated on...the pain up into the elbow from my wrists used to be unbearable..Have you had carpel tunnel ruled out?

juneybean · 15/02/2010 14:17

Ooh no, I haven't been to a doctor as I always assumed it was RSI due to being an office assistant. Since moving to childcare it has been much better although the pain does return occasionally.

apple99 · 15/02/2010 16:17

It did come back after about 10 months, I had another injection and it has been fine since then, that was 2 years ago so hopefully gone for good.

thumbwitch · 15/02/2010 16:21

size6feet - no, it is a particular species of cherry, mostly of the Montmorency cherry variety. You wouldn't be eating them off the tree, let's put it like that! here is a link to some info on the stuff - click on whichever health bit you want to read on the left column. I've just seen that animal researchers in Michigan are finding that tart cherries help to reduce heart disease and diabetes progression as well, so it's all good news! I still miss it... We used to drink a pint of it everyday (diluted in water, not neat - that would have hurt in many ways )

belgo · 15/02/2010 16:24

yes go to the doctors, physio therapy may help. I have a similar problem and was diagnosed with tennis elbow, but obviously you need to be examined by a doctor for a diagnosis.

Original poster

size6feet · 16/02/2010 08:59

Some good help and advice given here, thanks to all.
Mrspoppins - Did your op solve the problem with your wrists or does it come back again? Were you advised to stop doing the actions that caused it?

I hear that you are awake when they operate! that sounds a bit scary.

OP posts:

mrspoppins · 16/02/2010 09:07

Yes..op completely stops pain...you are awake but you could listen to music or omething..I watched!!!

Original poster

size6feet · 16/02/2010 14:24

mrs.poppins you are so brave! .I am impressed.
I just bought the Tiger balm from a High St. Chemist and the Montmorency Cherry tablets from H&B who are doing an offer 2nd item half price, so I bought 2 packs.

I'm also having a go holding the ball and rotating my hands, gently. Does anyone know of any other exercises?

OP posts:

ppeatfruit · 16/02/2010 16:40

I used to have aching hands etc. in my 40s and then i decided to have a much less acid diet. e.g. no oranges, spirits, vinegar etc. i now have no probs and iam 59.
i follow my blood type eating plan which is fantastic It says that Otypes like my dh SHOULD eat red meat but no wheat and Atypes shouldn't (they can have white fish and a little white meat though). Oh and remember to eat fruit on an empty stomach it reduces acid forming toxins in your gut. Good luck

thumbwitch · 16/02/2010 20:03

don't know of any other exercises size6feet but I will just say that the cherries will work best if you make sure to take them every day - you will notice a difference after about a week, but don't give up before 2 weeks. A friend of mine was quite sceptical about the juice, tried it on and off, didn't get the results but when she took it daily, within 2 weeks the pain in her hands and thumbs was gone (and hasn't returned but she is still taking the cherry juice)

Original poster

size6feet · 16/02/2010 20:07

Hi ppeatfruit - this is a whole new thing. I have not heard of this before but am interested in having a go. Have you got any more info on this and how do you get to know what blood group you are?

OP posts:

agedknees · 16/02/2010 20:14

Have you got an occupational health dept that may help you? A doc there could refer you to physio?

If not, go back to your GP. Why should you be in pain/restricted lifestyle if it can be sorted out?

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