I'm having a lot of trouble with my wrist

@dragon54u (31634)
United States
March 2, 2009 3:40pm CST
In December I was unloading a 50 pound bag of birdseed and felt a searing pain in my wrist. Well, I could move it and it didn't swell so I figured I pulled a muscle and left it alone. Now it's March and it hurts when I use it-not all the time but when there in pressure on it. I can't use it to support myself when I sit down or grab something to pick up. If I point my hand down at the wrist it hurts. I don't think it is a break or I would certainly know it, wouldn't I? I'm in my mid 50's and healthy otherwise. Any ideas how to treat this or what I did to it? I really am not financially ready to see a doctor yet!
1 person likes this
7 responses
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
19 Mar 09
I had this happen to me awhile back myself. I forgot what I did to make my wrist so sore, but, for months I couldn't put any weight on it or any kind of stress at all. I just made darn sure that I kept any kind of weight off it and when I was sleeping I made sure that the affected wrist was laying flat and not twisted or bent in anyway. Keep the wrist lying in a natural position. After so many months my wrist doesn't hurt at all anymore. I know while your wrist is still hurting it may seem like it will never stop hurting, but, it does eventually. Good luck to you, my friend! Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
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@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Mar 09
Thank you for telling me that! At least I know that it'll stop soon. That's a good idea about keeping it flat, I toss around a lot so I'll wrap it in a bandage when I sleep. You have been very helpful!!
• United States
20 Mar 09
You know, I also wanted to let you know that an Ace Bandage on it would keep it from moving around so much while you're sleeping. I should have done that too and then maybe my wrist would have healed so much sooner. Let me know the progress on your wrist :) Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
• United States
3 Mar 09
I used to work in an ER. It is very possible to break bones without knowing it. And possible to really think you've broken one and haven't. From what you're describing though I'm wonder more about the tendons and ligaments. You may just have set up and inflation there and have tendonitis which is quite painful or you may have torn a tendon or ligament and it's not healing well. Given how long it's been and how tender it still is, my advice is that you really need to have it looked at. Not to frighten you, but sometimes surgery is the only way to fix it and what ever is causing your pain still the last thing you want is to re-injure it and make it worse.
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@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
4 Mar 09
I do plan to have it looked at, but I have to get a root canal first. Do you think that it would help-or prevent it from getting worse-if I wore a wrist brace I got years ago (for a reason I've forgotten)? If I can find it, that is. Thanks very much for your reply!
• United States
4 Mar 09
A wrist brace won't hurt, and it can help you (partly as a reminder) not to strain it. You can also take over the counter anti-imflamitories, ibuprofen, acetominophin etc. You can use a cold pack 15-20 minutes at a time to help reduce inflamation. And if you use the brace which is immobilizing the joint be sure to take it off from time to time and do some light stretching exercises of the joint. Bend it up, down, side to side, rotate etc. Don't push it and increase your pain, just keep it from stiffening up.
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@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
3 Mar 09
Three months is a long time for something not to heal. Unless you have neglected to take care of it. At this stage... I would get an X-Ray. I cannot see how you could break your wrist in lifting up something. But strangest things have happen. However it is more likely that you did pull some muscle and it is not healing because you keep using it. You should have wrapped your wrist in a bandage for a couple of weeks and used some Aspirin Spirit Liniment on it. The product I have is called "Radian-B" and it performs miracles. lol
• Australia
3 Mar 09
You also need the Aspirin Spirit Liniment. You should find it at you supermarket or in the chemist. It is not expensive.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Mar 09
That's what struck me--a long time for it to heal. I don't think it's been broken or it would have swollen and been more painful than it was/is. I'll try the wrapping and see, I prefer to avoid medical bills. I have a brace if I could only find it! Thanks for your input.
@GreenMoo (11834)
4 Mar 09
Sounds to me like a tendon rather than a muscle, but I really don't know how you would treat that other than rest. Have you got a wrist support to wear? You could try one of those tubular bandages, or even buy one with the metal strut in it which prevents you from flexing your hand if that sort of movement hurts you. Although the pains in my wrists are very different, I find that wearing my supports make them feel much more comfortable and I'm sure part of that is just the extra warmth.
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@cream97 (29087)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Hi, dragon54u.. I am very sorry that your wrist is hurting. I was wondering if you have Medicaid? If so, you can try to go to a doctor that accepts it. Or you can try the emergency room. I know that they bill you, when you don't have insurance at that time. Just let them know your situation, and maybe they can still see you so that you can get your wrist checked out. I hope that everything will turn out okay. I hope that it is nothing worse. I hope that you can get treated for your pain. Have you tried putting ice on it? Maybe that can ease the pain down. I hope that you feel better very soon.
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@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Thank you for your concern! I don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare and I do have insurance I pay for but I have to cough up the first $1500. I'm saving for my root canal right now, which should eat up most 3/4 of that deductible but it has to be done very soon. I've lived with it this long so I can hang on a bit longer, I just hate to have my hands hurt because I use them so much! It doesn't hurt enough to use the ER, thank God! It's just a nagging, irritating pain that keeps me from doing some things I normally do--I have to think about it instead of just doing things! Where have you been?! I haven't heard from you for ages!
• China
3 Mar 09
I think you should go to see a doctor at once!Moreover,Putting ice on you wrist is a good idea,you can try it!
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@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Thanks for the advice and I know I should do so but I need a root canal on my tooth and that's my first priority right now. I guess I will use the ice when it begins to throb. Thank you for caring!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
2 Mar 09
I would buy a wrist brace and take some of the pressure off of it. It does not sound good, but you may prevent hurting it any more.
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@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
2 Mar 09
I've been looking through the house for the brace I had a few years ago but no luck yet. I'll give it another day then give in and shell out for one. Thanks, I was thinking about that but needed someone to agree that it might help!