Wrist troubles

[Horsetuna]

My wrists have been hurting a lot lately. My right one especially. Deep pains, cramping, stiffness and numbness.

Finally this morning it was still hurting (usually wears off) so on advice from a friend I went out and bought a sport bracer.

I will be taking it easy, but its time like this I realize that ALL of my hobbies involve using my wrists:

Knitting
Spinning
making felt
weaving
sewing
painting miniatures
playing wow
Rping on the computer

So now I have very little to do aside from watch TV. I figured I could dye more of my wool since that wont cause too much stress, and bike more and play with the birds, but its going to be... interesting.

poor wrist.

PS - I havent' gone to the doctor, and I dont intend to. Its not pride, or fear, its the simple fact that I am embittered against the Health Care system in general for reasons left to Fratching and I really dont feel like taking an entire day off to get ignored again.

light a candle for me.

PPS - typed awkwardly with one hand.

[Elspeth]

You describe what I have which is carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The brace will help. They also sell in craft stores gloves that will support your wrist while crafting. Might want to check those out. Also you might want to invest in a brace that has a metal plate along the wrist. You will want to sleep in it. Also one thing that helps me is a thing called SalonSpa patches, they are near the IceyHot in stores. They work for me to relaxed the nerves and what not in my wrists.

Good luck. Take it easy.

[Nurian]

BenGay or IcyHot helps me. I use an Ace bandage as a poor man's brace. I hope these help.

[Horsetuna]

I have Icyhot. and one of those 'flax seed' type shoulder heatable/freezable things but they dont stay cold forever, especially in bed.

I will try and fina a proper metal brace. This one I have now is a sports type, and I have troubles figuring out how tight to adjust it to avoid cutting off circulation.

[Horsetuna]

Update: I got a proper brace made especially for CT (I did ask to pen the package and see if it has asplint in it.), and tried it on. it feels odd and I am notsure if I have the tension right yet, but it will do I suppose. Not sur ehow I will work with it.

BTw, why wear it at night?

[Elspeth]

BTw, why wear it at night?

that is what they told me when they found it when I was in High School (thank you bastard of a football coach weight training teacher) It will support the wrist and you won't bend it weird. It helped take the strain off the nerve. It helps my recovery time when I have done too much with that wrist.

And yes they feel really weird, till you get used to them.

[Horsetuna]

makes sense.

Thanks for the advice. now to just find stuff to do AWAY from the computer that doesnt use the wrist.

So bored...

[Elspeth]

You don't have to give up the computer. you know your flex seed pouch? rest your wrist on it. just don't over do it. Take breaks every half hour or so.

one of the things that helps me is the ergonomic keyword. I have the Logitech Wave. Only problem is that they are pricey. but it puts your wrists in a better position.

And glad to help. I have had this for so long that I have learned to deal with it.

[Megg]

That sucks. You should be careful, my mom typed for a living for many years, and now has had surgery twice on each hand (damn stubborn woman!) and has lost at least 50% use in each one. My poor mommy. She wouldn't stop what had caused the problem, though, and even with double braces, 5 more years caused her severe damage. Not to mention, she had to retire early anyway so it was all for nothing. /sigh

Get better! Take it easy, and you will be fine.

[gremcint]

bowling alleys have cheap wrist straps that keep your wrist straight, these may help.

[Horsetuna]

Update for those who want to know: My wrist is doing better still aching on occasion (especially after a long day at work when i'm ironing).

The thing that puzzles me though is that usually in the morning before work, after I take the brace off, its popping like crazy when I move it. I am hoping this means the swelling is going down, allowing the bones to move again. thoughts?

Here's to hoping for a full recovery!

[Megg]

My doc told me that popping noise is caused by air being forced out from between the joints. So I think it's a good sign. Heal quickly!

[Talon]

Long ago when I started my first job, I started getting wrist pains too. Given that said job was in a call center working on a computer all day, plus most of my hobbies revolved around computers already, it was a big problem.

I was very lucky to have found a guide on wrist exercises online. Once I started doing the exercises regularly, pains cleared up on their own and have never returned. And that's in 3 years of working on computers in call centers all damn day.

I still have the web document, in .doc format. I think it's too big to post, so if anyone wants it, PM me.

[AnqeiicDemise]

I used one of those wrist bracers used for roller skates/roller blades when I played clarinet and I got tired of having my wrists all straight. They also helped me out when I picked up the flute. It might be a little odd for knitting but who knows.. it might help too!

[Horsetuna]

Knitting sadly needs flexible wrists and the ability to manipulate your fingres very well. so knitting is straight out with the brace. At least with it being comfortable