Wrist pain. What to do? What to do?? | Arthritis Information

Ok, so my left wrist is jacked up. When I take a vicodin, the pain becomes tolerable. As soon as the med starts to wear off I'm in agony yet again. I've tried frozen peas and heat, but neither seem to work well. I've kept the brace on, but any movement causes pain to radiate from my wrists toward my elbow and through my hand. It's just plan miserable. I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions to help me get more comfortable. I'm open to suggestions, although cutting it off is NOT an option. ;)

I have an appointment with the RD Monday so I'm trying to hold off until then. I'll definitely be requesting an MRI and asking if cortisone is an option. Not sure what the response for the injection will be as I had one on this wrist back in Feb.

Anywho - any suggestions?

Hope you are all having a superfantastic and extra-comfortable evening! *gentle hugs*

Sorry you having such terrible wrist pain. It sounds like you're doing everything possible to control the pain though, and another cortisone injection may just be the answer. Also, it sounds like your wrist brace isn't splinting it enough...maybe you need a different brace? Or maybe you could get in to see your RD tomorrow instead of Monday. Sorry, that's all the suggestions I have. Feel better soon!Hi Mel, do you take antiinflammatories or Lyrica, these two drugs can be taken for short periods of time if you can't take them permanently and they usually work, good luck, I had your problem, it eventually got so bad that I have a synovectomy and carpal tunnel release, now its 90% better, has really started playing up again lately, surgeon said pain would return eventually. Best of luck Janie.hi! i think theres a deep reason why some parts of our body experience pain. i believe that our body is a perfect machine, link to each other. and if one part is missing.. that other parts can be damage..
i suggest that you first improve the doctor of our own body. our immune system! if the immune system works well, then all the system of our body works...

try this: www.firstvitaplus.net
it can help...I do not have any advise just want to say feel better soon. Sometimes the shots really help. Other times they do not last very long.Sorry to hear of your pain, mel. I hope it gets better for you soon.

Much hugs.

Mel, I am so sorry you are in pain like that. I agree that you may need a different type of wrist splint. Have you seen a hand therapist? FWIW, that was the best medicine in my arsenal for minimalizing hand/wrist pain, increase range of motion, and strengthening my hands and arms.

Out! OUT! damned pain.
I was going to also suggest a hand therapist....I also would get an appt with a hand surgeon before getting an MRI. An MRI is probably not going to give you any new information..You know the synovim is inflamed and a hand surgeon can usually get an idea of what condition the tendons are in by examination buckeye2009-07-10 07:59:56Thanks, guys! I'm wearing the wrist brace that was given to me by my CO RD. I made it tighter today, but it still hurts. Haven't seen a hand therapist or surgeon, but they both sound like great ideas! I thought the MRI would show if there's any damage? I'm wondering if I didn't cause more issues by trying to use it. Maybe I sprained/tore/broke something?? All I know for sure is the stupid thing hurts like crazy.

Maybe I can just slap it and say, "BE HEALED!!!" haha

*sigh*

Have you tried wrapping it with an ace bandage? I wrap my wrist and then go around my thumb and around the palm/front of the hand a few times and back around the wrists a couple more times.

Hope you feel better soon. Prednisone burst maybe?
[QUOTE=CO_Mel]Thanks, guys! I'm wearing the wrist brace that was given to me by my CO RD. I made it tighter today, but it still hurts. Haven't seen a hand therapist or surgeon, but they both sound like great ideas! I thought the MRI would show if there's any damage? I'm wondering if I didn't cause more issues by trying to use it. Maybe I sprained/tore/broke something?? All I know for sure is the stupid thing hurts like crazy.

Maybe I can just slap it and say, "BE HEALED!!!" haha

*sigh*

[/QUOTE]

An x'ray should be able to show any damage unless it is very early damage. Getting an x'ray should be your first move before moving to MRI. The hand therapists can help you with custom made splints that will be built just for you and your pain so there is less adjustment and more specific support. The hand surgeon can easily check for soft tissue issues but also provide the cortison injections that again are often more specifically located than what your RD can do. Studies have shown that RD's refer to hand surgeons far too late eliminating many non surgical options of relieving pain and preventing damage.

How does your elbow feel...wrist pain can be exacerbated by elbow pain but I know from personal experience that the pain in the wrist can overshadow the lesser pain in the elbow.

I'm so very sorry to hear that you're in so much pain!!! The only thing that seems to help when I have a painful flare, like that, is to either get a steroid shot, or take an oral Prenisone pack. In fact, the Pred. Pack seems to help more than the shots and I don't even have to always do an entire pack. I might start off with three and work my way down. These are things that have been the most help to me, so maybe they'll work for you too. I hope you find some kind of relief soon!

Hang in there! Things will always get better!

Renee

Mel? How are you today? Hey, Mel.. Hope you've found some relief..... I must give a second (or third?) to Shug's and buckeye's responses..... I found great help w/ the PT of my hands and wrists.... I continue to do the exercises now on my own....
also..... paraffin wax drip was heaven for a few moments..... felt wonderful.. a warm moist heat to the core of my bones..... drop into a paraffin soak five times in and out.. and wrapped in plastic and placed under heated towels.. great temporary relief to allow me to do exercises.
Good luck!!

Hello, everyone!

I want to cut the damn thing off!!! Can I survive with forearm to hand only?? Hmm....

I'm taking Naproxen and imuran (max dose for me) along with the vicodin. This cocktail seems to be weak in comparison to my previous meds. It seemed like it was working at one point, but I feel like I'm in a continuous flare. This wrist thing is just plain terrible. I survived today... we'll see what tomorrow brings.

I don't think it's pain from my elbow. This is all directly from the wrist. It radiates through my fingers and up to the elbow though. Last night my shoulder started aching as well. I need a left arm replacement. Do they do that?

I believe I have oxycodone and percoset (sp?) in the medicine cabinet. I haven't thought about taking them because the last time I did they really didn't help. The vicodin helps for a little bit, but I can really tell when it starts to wear off. Ugh. I'm just trying to making it to Monday, 10:15am!

Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful suggestions and support. I'm off to abuse a block of frozen peas in a bag. :o)

When I was first dx'ed, the pain in both of my hands and wrists was so great that I told the Rheumy I would cut them off if it continued....I know how you feel.

Hope you get something to work for you soon or you can get another shot to see you through this.

Lyn

sorry you are hurting so much. I hope you find some relief soon.

Phats

[QUOTE=CO_Mel]

. I need a left arm replacement. Do they do that?

[/QUOTE]

well I have had my left shoulder, left elbow and left wrist all replaced so I've come pretty darn close

take the pain meds every 4-6 hours until your appt..

[QUOTE=CO_Mel]

Jas, those wraps sound wonderful!! Where would I get one? Does RiteAid carry them??

Sorry it took me a while to post. We still have sporadic internet and this is going to be kinda short because it hurts to type.

I received another cortisone injection in the wrist and was told to only use the braces 8-10hrs a day. Of course I started crying because I told her having the braces on is the only way I can pick up my son. She said she was sorry, but I've lost so much ROM in my wrist that it's on it's way to fusing so I have to do only 8-10hrs. She gave me a sample of a topical anti-inflammatory that starts with a V (vol, val-something. I'm too lazy to get up and look) to apply to my RA battle wounds - ankles, wrists... whereever it hurts. We talked about upping my Imuran to 4 pills !!! Thought I was maxed? She changed her mind when I explained my recently aquired muscle weakness in my legs if I try to carry my son and walk. Might be a side-effect of Imuran? Have to wait 3wks to have labworks done. We'll proceed from there.

She said the shot would take 2-3 days to start working. Ugh. Don't these drug makers know we want instant gratification???

Thank you, everyone. Hugs all around.

Hope the shot works quicker then you anticipate! Sorry you are still in so much pain. I have heard of that topical voltran I think it is called or something like that. A lot of people swear by it. maybe you will get some relief. Good luck! Voltaren gel - diclofenac is the generic name. It's an NSAID. Check with your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other NSAIDs while using Voltaren gel. I have used those gel pads and velcro wraps before and they work wonderfully! Sorry your wrist is hurting. HOpefully the shot will kick in soon and you will be much better!

Phats

Mel, so sorry you continue to be so uncomfortable. Here is a wish that the injections work quickly and efficiently! Hi

If the wrist is autofusing you really need to get to a hand surgeon so they can check postition...and a visit to hand therapy so they can help you get itmoving as much as possible. Don't wait until you have no options left.

Hope the shot kicksin soon