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Would it be silly...
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Um, so I am still (STILL) having trouble with my right wrist. Currently I am having more pain than ever before and it's making EVERYTHING difficult. I can barely move it when it's at it's worst and you know...being right handed....
A year ago, I went to see a physio who prescribed "rest and anti-inflammatories", which, ya know, I did (to the best of my abilities, it's hard to rest your right wrist when you are right handed and you're working 5-6 days a week), but obviously...nada. I went to see a doctor about it just before my exams who gave me some painkillers but obviously not being a physio couldn't do much. Except now I'm working again, and on the days that I remember the doctor said the physio was available and OH GOD IT HURTS SO BAD. I actually almost screamed today when I did something which tweaked it and made it flare. I was going to go to the doctor on Wednesday (fortunately I am not working on Wednesday otherwise I would be screeeeeeeeeeeeeewed) to beg for uberstrength painkillers but I know that's a temporary fix.
My "is this silly?" is that I am thinking about popping in to A&E maybe tomorrow and seeing if they can look at it properly because it hurts *SO MUCH* right now. I know it's not really an accident or an emergency, but you can go in for stuff like that right....?
A year ago, I went to see a physio who prescribed "rest and anti-inflammatories", which, ya know, I did (to the best of my abilities, it's hard to rest your right wrist when you are right handed and you're working 5-6 days a week), but obviously...nada. I went to see a doctor about it just before my exams who gave me some painkillers but obviously not being a physio couldn't do much. Except now I'm working again, and on the days that I remember the doctor said the physio was available and OH GOD IT HURTS SO BAD. I actually almost screamed today when I did something which tweaked it and made it flare. I was going to go to the doctor on Wednesday (fortunately I am not working on Wednesday otherwise I would be screeeeeeeeeeeeeewed) to beg for uberstrength painkillers but I know that's a temporary fix.
My "is this silly?" is that I am thinking about popping in to A&E maybe tomorrow and seeing if they can look at it properly because it hurts *SO MUCH* right now. I know it's not really an accident or an emergency, but you can go in for stuff like that right....?
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You can also try Voltarol Gel- it's diclofenac, available OTC and stronger than ibuprofen.
But honestly- I've suffered from this for 7/8 years now. No amount of painkillers is going to solve it for you
Wrist strengthening exercises and stretching will help too.
I was in A&E with my mum once and we could overhear the man in the next cubicle who was clearly in absolute agony with back pain, so had self-presented in A&E, out of desperation I guess. They listen politely and said there was nothing they could do except prescribe some painkillers, and he would have to go home.
The only solution is something like physio I would imagine, and it's a priority if you're in so much pain you can't work, so you need to take time off from work to get it treated. Or beg, borrow or steal the money to see someone privately.
And obviously remember to keep topped up on painkillers - you can take paracetamol and ibuprofen together, so take paracetamol, then two hours later take some ibuprofen, then two hours later some more paracetamol, etc.
Also - think about changing jobs to one that doesn't involve whatever activity it is that aggravates it.
Also I will get Rich to buy me some of that voltarol stuff. I did use deep heat before and that didn't do very much but eugh. He is bringing me double strength ibuprofen today for which I am eternally grateful.
What kind of exercises are good. I do stretch it a fair bit (like circling my hand around and stuff) but it hurrrrrrrrts
That's the problem - EVERYTHING aggravates it. Even using my laptop or writing aggravates it (I am a student and a creative writer so this is NOT FUN) and the thing that almost made me scream was because I moved it funny.
Painkillers it is then
A physio will obviously give you you-specific exercises, but the ones I do are the Advanced ones on this page:
http://www.physioadvisor.com.au/8122850/wrist-strengthening-exercises-wrist-rehabilitati.htm
(I kind of do the basic ones, but with a weight not an exercise band.)
Loosen your wrist a bit before hand by rolling it around.
Start off with a small weight, and about 3 x 8 reps. Do less if it hurts too much!
And when you've finished, STRETCH! This is most important:
http://www.ergocise.com/74.html
and
http://www.ergocise.com/78.html
Get onto the docs note etc before Xmas- there is time to do it all now and DSA takes about 2-3 months to get put in place (altho your exam requirements should be shorter.)
The best thing really would be to wear a cast for 2 months so that you can't move your wrist and force it to heal, cos otherwise you will end up like me...and it's kinda permanent! I'm off to see a specialist in 3 weeks cos it's so bad.
Oh also massage helps to promote healing the tendons! Just across the tendons (so at right angles to the way the tendon lays) and gently. Acupuncture also helps, if you can stand the needles, or accupressure massage.
And get the physio to provide you with wrist splints, which "immobilise" your wrist in an ergonomic position, but still allow you to type etc
Bought some of that gel today. Was on offer so Rich got me some. I bought a wrist splint from Boots a few weeks ago but obviously I can't wear it at work unless I have to (will speak to my doctor about getting a note to allow me to wear it - not sure how much good it will do though.
I hate that it's my right hand. If it was my left hand this wouldn't be a problem. But I'm right-handed and can't do ANYTHING with my left hand
I worked at tescos when mine happened, and they wouldn't let me wear my splints which is what's made mine pretty much permanent.
McDs wouldn't stop a wheelchair user from being in their wheelchair, or someone who needs glasses from wearing them to work. So why should it be any different for your splint?
DSA involves student finance so be prepared to have a nice long wait :yeees: download the form from the website, you have to send evidence with it. i have my assessment soon so i'll tell you what happens x
Im sorry to hear that you are still having problems and pain from your wrist. Try to go back to your G.P and explain the amount of discomfort you are in, ask them to refer you onto a specialist at the local hospital. They should look at possible treatments/physio programmes to help you for the best.
Keep posting and let us know how you get on.:thumb: