I May Have Carpal Tunnel :(
I don't know what section to post this in, so I apologize if it's the wrong one.
I went to the doctor today, and she thinks I have carpal tunnel (from scooping food while helping pack meals for malnourished kids at a volunteer gig). I’ve been told to wear a wrist brace and give my wrist a break for a month.
I’m really really sad because this means that I can’t do the things I normally do, like draw, write, type (this hurts…)... I’m struggling emotionally because of this. It’s been a hard day after that appointment… My doctor did tests that hurt my hand, and the wrist brace is making my wrist hurt a lot right now.
I could really use some love rn… My heart hurts. Between that, my best friend being hours away for school, a logistics issue at home, and more, I’m feeling very down rn. I feel like I’m grieving for the activities I’m losing, in deep pain (it radiates from hand to shoulder; I have previous conditions like arthritis and an old shoulder injury as well), and just… sad.
Can I have some love please? Also, suggestions for pain and activities I can do that minimally involve my hands? Thank you <3
P.S. Please be patient with my slow responses and/or capitalization/spelling. I may really only be able to post on my phone with my other hand, with slow and minimal responses. Thanks! <3
@Tinywhisper11, can I have some love please? <3 And a hug <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 awwww sweetie 😞 i.I'm so sorry hugggs you tightly ❤ I'll write a longer reply underneath this one, just wanted to let you know I'm here ❤
@Tinywhisper11
Thank you for always being there for me <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 sending you a big hug! As Affy says you are in the right place.
So sorry to hear this and potentially getting it from doing a good deed too. I hope it improves soon. There are lots of different ways to help with Carpal, so please do some research and see what works for you.
Listening - One Step At A Time!
@MistyMagic
Thank you <3
This is the right area!
The forced breaks from activities we enjoy is definitely a tough thing!
Activity suggestions - make videos or voice recordings for your friend. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks Get out for a walk. Swimming or just soaking in some water can be pretty therapeutic for a lot of pain conditions. If doctor/PT approves playing with sand or playdough can sometimes be beneficial for the hands and wrists, maybe after some resting? Definitely check in with a healthcare professional on that for your situation though.
@AffyAvo
Ooh I like the first one… i just sent him a silly video of me waving at him XD
@jesusredeemedme2425 Oh good! I bet he enjoyed that too!
@AffyAvo
I think he did <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 does the pain start from the wrist? Or from thumb or finger?? Keep that wrist brave on. But there are great wrist and finger splint braces that also wrap around your wrist on amazon, just incase. Do you have voice text option in your phone, so it writes the message your saying for you?? Your such a good person😥 bad things always happen to the nicest people😥 I'm so sorry sweetie. Are you on painkillers? I don't know what activities to suggest🤔🤔🤔 just try to rest, hope fully it will soon heal enough for you to get back to art and things. Otherwise don't worry, we will work something out. Gives you the biggest giant tiny hug in the whole world ❤❤ I gotta get off here for a bit, but I'll check on you as soon as I get back ❤❤ I love you ❤ it's gonna be ok ❤
@Tinywhisper11
Its all up and down my arm, from fingers to shoulder. :(
I think this is the brace i got….
I do, i just dont have privacy lol
Yeah, i’m taking tylenol
I was thinking about trying to draw with my left hand…
I love you too <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 drawing with your left hand could be fun. I'm sorry your in so much pain😞 gives you a hug and a get well present...
@Tinywhisper11
Awww thank you!
I bet my drawings would look so bad tho XD
Can I have a puppy too, while you're out buying me presents??? <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 anything for you ❤ here you go ...
Awww!!!
Also… tigers are cats XD
@jesusredeemedme2425 I knew that😌
@jesusredeemedme2425 Oh no! *offers safe gentle hugs* ❤️ It would be so frustrating to have to give up the things you enjoy doing 😞 But sometimes it's a necessity. Especially in a case like this. Alot of time they suggest ice packs or soaking it in cold water but a heating pad or warm water promotes healing and the warmth helps relax the muscles. 🙂 If you're ok with Tylenol that should help too
@mytwistedsoul
I really should ice it, but I'm lazy lol
@jesusredeemedme2425 I'll ice it for you
@Tinywhisper11
@jesusredeemedme2425 😂😂😂😂😂
@jesusredeemedme2425 Yes! That's why I want Vanilla Ice to be our next president... "If there's a problem, yo, I'll solve it" 😆
Well d***, that isn't good news at all.
I have an idea of where you are right now, @jesusredeemedme2425. It's like that for almost everyone when a chronic condition emerges, & imposes limits where we previously did not have any. Grief is entirely natural, even shock. (When I received by diagnosis, I couldn't process it all in the first minute--or first day.)
First off, if your doctor is telling you to rest then do it. I understand wanting to get back to your previous task, especially as it involves helping others. But you must be your first priority, always. If you try to force it, you'll aggravate your CT syndrome & mess up your wrist even more. If you don't take care of yourself, you certainly will not be able to help anyone else.
Secondly, if worse comes to worst & your carpal tunnel is there to stay, it does not have to stop you completely. Remember this: there are always other options; you just have to figure them out. Maybe you can wear the brace when working on that charity project, & take it off before you go to bed. If you can't scoop ice cream or hand out food anymore, try to find a way to assist that is not as physically demanding. Perhaps you could help with the website or newsletter. Doubtless there's at least one way to you to help that I haven't thought of, & probably several.
@slowdecline48
Ive had hand/arm problems for ages, but being told to wear a wrist brace for a month is new… It hasn’t affected me as much before.
Im trying to rest it, but it’s hard when i work a physical job…
Yeah, i understand. I have to take care of myself so i can help others. Its just so hard… Especially having to rely on people. I REALLY hate that… not being able to be independent anymore…
But what are the other options??? Lol
I don’t do that charity project anymore. It was a one day thing.
I really hope that I can modify my life to still do what I want to do <3
You can, JR. I'm sure you can figure it out...you've lived this long, haven't you? You have come up with solutions to every problem so far (or all the important problems, at least), or you wouldn't be here right now. You are still above the ground, breathing on your own. That's a good indicator.
Yes, having to depend on other people is a b***h. I don't like it either. But chronic illness does what it does; it doesn't give a fart in a windstorm what we think or how we feel about it. God knows I hate not being able to do as much as I once did. But the situation is what it is. We gotta deal with it.
I suppose… It’s really hard to figure things out, with a mix of depression and brain fog.
How do you cope with chronic illness and modifying your life?
- Whenever I can, I reduce the symptoms.
- When 1) is not possible, if I can still do things I do them in such a way as to minimize interference by my conditions.
- When 2) is not possible, I sit or lie down & wait until the worst is over.
The above is my strategy in a nutshell. Feel free to use it.
As an example of Tactic 1, I learned some exercises when I was going to physical therapy that keep the tendinitis in my elbow from getting out of hand. Also, if I do anything strenuous then muscle soreness the next day often prevents the usual joint pain from happening. (In normal circumstances the human body can only focus on so many sources of pain at a given time) That is another variant of Tactic 1.
Tactic 2 comes in handy when my Meniére's flares up moderately. When that occurs I stick to simple tasks. I don't do anything too complicated or try to keep a lot of things in my short-term memory because the vertigo & head pain interfere; dumb mistakes ensue. Keeping it basic avoids that outcome. I presume you've heard of the K.I.S.S. Principle? Anyway, that's it. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. 😃
I tried drawing with my left hand yesterday and it actually turned out really cute <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
Hi Jesus 🥺 *send healing beams & huggss*
me learned about carpal tunnel, & it is said that it is treatable 🩹, & as Pinetree 🌲 says, wearing a wrist brace will help to heal the carpal tunnel, also to minimize movementof your wrist as it needs rest, & as Soul says, take some pain reliever 💊 🫂
Also, try to rest 🛏 & follow the suggestions from your physician 🩺🥺
@VictoriaLove7
Thank you <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
Wishing you a speedy recovery, 🫂 Jesus
Some activities that you can do, as you are resting, perhaps, watch some movies in Netflix. Some movies like Matilda, Pitch Perfect or listen to instrumental songs 🫂
@RachelListener
I'm actually doing that! <3 I'm currently watching both Jumanji and the original Left Behind <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
I was actually just going to post on my disability space when I saw this post ): *sends big soft hugs* it's going to be ok
I will apologize in advance for any misspellings, my hand is acting up today and it's tremoring and not wanted to work quite right, and my autocorrect is the most evil thing.
My first suggestion would be switch to being a left handed person because we are way more awesome (I'm kidding I'm kidding, you do you ok?)
Time to be serious
I've veen where you've been. I haven't stopped doing my activities but jts really really hard sometimes. They thought I had carpet tunnel at first but it isn't actually. It's really hard to grieve the things that you wish you could be doing..
Please take it easy love.
I know you miss drawing, and I know this sounds bizarre but what if you tru drawing with your feet? Sometimes I paint with my feet and it's a super fun sensory experience, the art is ugly, but fun!!
Try and relax. Watch some knock off movies that are terrifying, because it's funny! I recommend it's a cars life. You can find it on YouTube.
Have you named your brace yet? When I was given a walking boot to help with mypsin, I named itLeo. He is my husband so when I get.mad I can say that wr are getting a divorce. I also decorated him with stickers and for some reason that helps.
Sending hugs
Imma add a picture ofLeo, and my dog being super happy for you to make you smile ,
@AvyIsKing
It’s totally ok, I’m ignoring multiple grammar/punctuation rules myself, just because of my injury lol
I really do need to practice doing things with my left hand…
Is the thing you have better or worse than carpal tunnel?
Unfortunately, I don’t have my own place, so if I accidentally make a mess, that’s not a good thing O.O
How bad IS A Car’s Life??? XD
I never thought about naming my brace XD
Lol divorcing your boot XD
Your boot and your doggy are cute <3
Thank you for the encouragement <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
pain isn't comparable love, so it isnt better or worse. Since it isnt constant its probably not as bad
a cars life is so terrible but also very funny!
And im always here for you ok?
Is it lifelong or temporary, at least? I hope mine isn’t lifelong…
i should watch it! Lol
Awww thank you <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 pokes my head around the corner ❤ just wanted to see how your feeling??
The pain is much worse while wearing the brace, so I’m really hoping this is actually helping lol
@jesusredeemedme2425 Hope you don't mind But - We need an update ❤️ How are you? Are things feeling better or are you still having a lot of pain? 😬
Depends on the day really. I have more pain after I started wearing the brace, but it also helps with pain too? So I’m confused lol
Generally tho, a lot of pain. :(
@jesusredeemedme2425 It sounds confusing tbh and frustrating 😕 I'm sorry to hear you still have a lot of pain. I really hope it starts to feel better soon ❤️
Thank you <3