Pains in Arms & wrists

[leeegglestone]

For a while Ive been getting uncomfortable pains in my Wrists and also in my Arms.

Its mostly the For arm,mostly the right one, im getting a tight burning sensation at times and across my knuckles n wrist.

I do alot of typing, obviously on here but also at work.I have a Wrist Rest at work

Ive been the docs she gave me some stronger tablets to see if that will help, the next option she said would be to try splinting.

Anyone else had a similar problems?

Its annoying when I do so much on the PC. I think to myself to somehow give myself A Weeks rest off Computers at home & work, but i couldnt do it, not in an addiction kinda way.

Ive got another 14days worth of tablets, should I just go back now.

[kit]

My partner has the same sort of symptoms. He has been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. He is on the waiting list for a consultant and possible operation but he uses splinted bandages especially for carpal tunnel.

Try them?? Or speak to your doctor about it.

HTH

[leeegglestone]

Whats the Treatment for carpal tunnel, a colleague has mentioned that to me.

What do the splinted bandages do? are they any good?

[kit]

He got most of his info online as doctor didnt tell him much. Here are the links he used:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Carpal_tunnel_splint.jpg
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/carpal_tunnel.html
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm
http://www.arc.org.uk/newsviews/arctdy/115/carpal.htm

This is where is got his splint from:
http://www.firstaid4sport.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=3033

The splints have helped him a lot but the velcro wore out quickly on them. He has it in both wrist but worse in one so he has a splint for one hand and just a bandage on the other. He started just wearing them at night but they annoyed him so he changed to just wearing them in the day.

HTH

[leeegglestone]

Is the splint just for Wrists?

would they give u these free at the docs?

[Wirenth]

My mother had to have an operation to sort out her carpal tunnel. Basically, they slit your wrists open, cut the 'sheath' round the affected tendons and sew it back up again. Its best to get one wrist done at a time.

Carpal tunnel tends to be caused by this 'sheath' overtightening around the tendons. People who overuse their wrists tend to suffer from it.

[leeegglestone]

Hmm, so is the problem the Wrist or the Arm? because i get a tightness in my Arm and almost like burning. sometimes this is worse than the actual wrist pain. like now

[kit]

My OH gets pain in his arms too. He says its like a really bad ache that you cant stop. Obviously his wrists hurt too!

[Wirenth]

Hmm, so is the problem the Wrist or the Arm? because i get a tightness in my Arm and almost like burning. sometimes this is worse than the actual wrist pain. like now

Have you been referred to see a Neuro consultant?

I'm asking because Mum also suffered nerve damage - her cervical vertibrae in her neck started to collapse on her nerves - through the nerve running from her neck down her shoulder and to her ring and little finger. It was also brought about by overwork - lifting patients far too heavy for her.

[Wirenth]

Leeegglestone, you need to go back and see your doctor. Same for kit's partner. Explain that medication isn't sorting out the pain long-term and that you'd like to go for some tests.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Computer professionals and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16984790&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum)

Efficacy of splinting and oral steroids in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective randomized clinical and electrophysiological study (http://www.neurologyindia.com/article.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2006;volume=54;issue=3;spage=286;epage=2 90;aulast=Mishra)

Symptom relief and neurophysiological improvement after night-only splint wear therapy lasted up to the six-month follow-up visit. (http://www.minervamedica.it/index2.t?show=R33Y2006N02A0121)

Oral steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs.
Those who have been following my posts will be aware that Omega 3 (http://www.jrheum.com/subscribers/06/02/207.html)(found in fish oil/sardines/oily fish) and Vitamin d3 (http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=66953-vitamin-d-inflammation-chf) (cholecalciferol from sunlight) also act as anti inflammatory agents. So people considering the splint option may want to consider also taking an EFFECTIVE amount of both omega 3 and vitamin d3 but be aware with both these that if you are currently in deficit there is generally a period of 6 to 12 weeks between commencing antiinflammatory doses of fish oil and symptomatic improvement.

Prevention tips from Jama (http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/282/2/206)
stretch and flex your arms and fingers before begining work and take frequent breaks to flex and stretch
alternate tasks if possible to reduce the amount of repetitive movements.
modify or change your daily activities (work and hobbies) that put pressure on wrists.
Modify your work enviroment if possible. A healthy PC workstation includes an adjustable keyboard table and chair and a wrist rest.

[LondonDiva]

It sounds as though the GP is going through trying to eliminate things before refering you.

It sounds reasonable to see if the pills will solve the problem, then to try the splints before referring you to a consultant. At least they are working through systematically.

I was watching an old ER ? episode and someone gave a quote that I really liked "when you hear hooves, think horses not zebras".

[leeegglestone]

Have you been referred to see a Neuro consultant?

I'm asking because Mum also suffered nerve damage - her cervical vertibrae in her neck started to collapse on her nerves - through the nerve running from her neck down her shoulder and to her ring and little finger. It was also brought about by overwork - lifting patients far too heavy for her.

sometimes i have a tingling in my neck and shoulder too. i blamed that on not sitting up straight :rolleyes:

[surfsister]

you should get a blood test to eliminate rheumatoid/osteoarthritis as mum has this and it started across knuckles.wrists in joints

a quick blood test would put check for this


It needs to be caught early if it is.

Good luck.

by the way up your calcium levels eg milk yogs or tabs

do weight bearing exercise to help with calicum levels

take glucosamine for 3 months to see if pain reduces - quite cheap at Holland & B or online (only over counter tab proven to help)

[seven-day-weekend]

If you do a lot of typing it could be Repetitive Strain Injury

[Ted_Hutchinson]

take glucosamine for 3 months to see if pain reduces - quite cheap at Holland & B or online (only over counter tab proven to help)I don't know where this comes from but it isn't strictly true.

It is known for example that people taking vitamin c have a 50% reduction in the progression of OA (http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE320061010042641&Page=3&Title=Features+-+Health+%26+Science&Topic=168) and High Vitamin C intake levels were also found to be associated with a reduced risk for knee pain.

Similarly Vitamin D (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=8702085)plays an important role in bone mineralisation. High levels are protective against progression of disease.

You have got to understand what actually is causing the tissue damage and that is most likely to involve free oxygen radical attack so antioxidants such as Vit A, C, E are likely also to be beneficial.

You can learn more about Osteoarthritis: dietarycauses (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=disease&dbid=2#dietarycauses) and the associated links.

Click Here To See H&B's 50% Off Sale Items (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product.asp?xs=057E7BCEA9E7483BAA7392610B9043BD&np=6)
If you want to try the vitamin c approach you need to be aware that the rate of depletion once in the body is very short so time release formulations taken every 8 or 12 hrs are the best way of sustaining a higher plasma level.
With Vitamin D the ONLY form worth taking isVitamin D3 (http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/84/4/694) details of the most moneysaving place to buy it at this post 6 (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=3151549&postcount=6)
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