Sudden Onset, Now Persistent Wrist Pain
November 13, 2019 12:02 PM Subscribe
What on earth could cause wrist pain that came on with no warning and now won't go away?
I got back from a trip on Nov 3, Nov 4 I woke up with a sore left wrist. It's been over a week now and it's still sore.
I didn't fall or do anything to my wrist that I can recall. Maybe I did something weird to it hefting my suitcase around? I have no memory of this. But now it's achy and very different feeling than my right wrist literally all the time.
Things I can do without pain or problem include: gripping stuff even stuff that has weight (barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell). Deadlifts didn't hurt, actually made it feel better short term.
Things that aggravate it seem to be driving, typing, generally having a desk job.
None of this was an issue before Nov 4. I realize YANMD but I don't even know where to start with this and if I go to the doctor and they just shrug and tell me not to type, that isn't going to be helpful.
I got back from a trip on Nov 3, Nov 4 I woke up with a sore left wrist. It's been over a week now and it's still sore.
I didn't fall or do anything to my wrist that I can recall. Maybe I did something weird to it hefting my suitcase around? I have no memory of this. But now it's achy and very different feeling than my right wrist literally all the time.
Things I can do without pain or problem include: gripping stuff even stuff that has weight (barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell). Deadlifts didn't hurt, actually made it feel better short term.
Things that aggravate it seem to be driving, typing, generally having a desk job.
None of this was an issue before Nov 4. I realize YANMD but I don't even know where to start with this and if I go to the doctor and they just shrug and tell me not to type, that isn't going to be helpful.
Can you describe the pain - is it a sharp stab, dull throb or burning? My repetitive strain came on quickly as a burning with sharp stab.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 12:46 PM on November 13, 2019
posted by St. Peepsburg at 12:46 PM on November 13, 2019
Response by poster: It's just a dull soreness mostly. Nothing sharp or stabbing.
posted by Medieval Maven at 1:20 PM on November 13, 2019
posted by Medieval Maven at 1:20 PM on November 13, 2019
Are you left-handed and do you mouse with your left hand? I wonder if it's a repetitive stress injury and it's just a coincidence that it's showing up around your trip.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:13 PM on November 13, 2019
posted by bluedaisy at 2:13 PM on November 13, 2019
When I've had this (more than once, I have shitty wrists) it has been either repetitive strain injury or a ganglion cyst developing.
For the former, the doctor said to google wrist exercises. For the latter, wait and see and hope it goes away. FWIW, I could do deadlifts and curls fine but had big problems with pushups / bench press / anything where my wrist was bent.
posted by stillnocturnal at 3:48 PM on November 13, 2019
For the former, the doctor said to google wrist exercises. For the latter, wait and see and hope it goes away. FWIW, I could do deadlifts and curls fine but had big problems with pushups / bench press / anything where my wrist was bent.
posted by stillnocturnal at 3:48 PM on November 13, 2019
Had a sudden, inexplicable pain like this and dealt with it for a few months (because trying to deal with doctors under my insurance is ridiculous, so I tend to not do anything until I can't take it anymore). However, one day at work I picked up a heavy box, and something in that wrist went "twang!" and gave a sharp pain that just as suddenly went away - and the pain was gone. Could it be that you have a tendon twisted?
posted by annieb at 4:49 PM on November 14, 2019
posted by annieb at 4:49 PM on November 14, 2019
It's easy to bend your wrist while sleeping (think fetal position) which can aggravate it. Happened to me. I now wear a wrist brace when I sleep. Problem solved. "carpal tunnel wrist brace" will turn up many choices.
posted by conrad53 at 9:34 AM on November 15, 2019
posted by conrad53 at 9:34 AM on November 15, 2019
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posted by changeling at 12:35 PM on November 13, 2019 [1 favorite]