Sudden painful wrists

[CathyA]

Yes, its my time for my body to fall apart (Fall), but this really took me by surprise. Today when I woke up my wrists hurt....especially my left one. I can hardly hold things with it. From reading online, it sounds like it might be a tendonitis. I can't take NSAIDS. I will use ice and heat on it. Anyone have any other suggestions? I know they sell those wrist splints, but dang, I have so much work to do!
If it isn't one thing, its two. (or five).

[Tussiemussies]

Could it be carpal tunnel? Maybe you should see a Dr. About it. You wouldn't want to aggregate it further by doing things that would do that....

[Blackdog Lin]

I have no suggestions, but do send sympathies. I've been having the same thing happen for about the last year. Will wake up one morning and for no reason that I can figure out, my left wrist hurts so bad that I can hardly hold anything with that hand.

I've been blaming it on my arthritis. It's never lasted longer than two days, so I've just been soldiering on through it.

[KayLR]

I had a wrist I couldn't even touch it hurt so bad. I went to an acupuncturist who, after interviewing me, told me he believed pillow was the culprit. The pain in my wrist was a result of my neck being all whacked.

So I got a really firm pillow (I'm a side sleeper) and voila! The pain subsided.

Also, how do you sleep? Are your hands tucked in one position for lengths of time? I wake up sometimes with my hands all cramped up because I've gripped them onto my blankets. Maybe wearing some soft splints to bed would help?

[CathyA]

Fall is always the worst time of year for me. Right now, seems like every joint is aching, my muscles are twitching, etc., etc., etc. Its probably "just" a fibromyalgia flare-up. But dang.
Yes Kay.........I sleep on a couch (have for many years) because of my fibromyalgia. I feel very comfy on it. But I've noticed that when I wake up, my hands are usually in weird positions........like at right angles to my wrist, or under my head being smashed. I must look almost comical at night.......on a couch, my mouth taped so my cpap air doesn't go out of it instead of my lungs, my cpap mask, my oral night guard for my TMJ in............what a sight! haha
Its funny that you mentioned your neck. For about 6 weeks now, I've had a little neck pain. Maybe its all connected? I wore an old wrist brace today, and it did help it to feel better. I'm also keeping track of weather systems. I think my muscles/joints definitely react to fronts going through.

[decemberlov]

Fall is always the worst time of year for me. Right now, seems like every joint is aching, my muscles are twitching, etc., etc., etc. Its probably "just" a fibromyalgia flare-up. But dang.
Yes Kay.........I sleep on a couch (have for many years) because of my fibromyalgia. I feel very comfy on it. But I've noticed that when I wake up, my hands are usually in weird positions........like at right angles to my wrist, or under my head being smashed. I must look almost comical at night.......on a couch, my mouth taped so my cpap air doesn't go out of it instead of my lungs, my cpap mask, my oral night guard for my TMJ in............what a sight! haha
Its funny that you mentioned your neck. For about 6 weeks now, I've had a little neck pain. Maybe its all connected? I wore an old wrist brace today, and it did help it to feel better. I'm also keeping track of weather systems. I think my muscles/joints definitely react to fronts going through.

Cathy, it's funny you mention fibromyalgia since I am beginning to think I may have it. I have been having symptoms for a few months now: a burning, strange feeling in my arms almost like they are going numb...it feels very strange almost like a restless leg thing, my joints are achy, especially my knees, my jaw feels kind of achy and my ribs are sore...when I touch them they feel bruised. I have also been getting headaches frequently. I don't sleep well at night at all, I always wake up several times a night with my lower back killing me. It's awful and I always feel tired sure to never getting a full nights sleep. I went out to look for a foam mattress topper today thinking it may help me sleep better...they are so expensive though! I'm contemplating spending close to $200 for one...at this point I'm ready to do anything to just sleep through the night.

I have been trying to do research on my symptoms and it seems I have almost all of them. I'm only 30 but I feel so much older :(

How did you get diagnosed with fibromyalgia? It seems like it's very difficult. I feel like if I go to my Dr. they'll think I'm crazy and a hypochondriac. I was they a few months ago because the feeling in my arms were really bothering me. He told me it was nothing.

[Gardenarian]

Oh, it came on suddenly for me, several years ago. I find stretching my wrists helps a lot. My favorite is to hold my arm straight out, fingers pointed up, then gently bend each finger back. Repeat on other arm. I have found the crow position (http://life.gaiam.com/video/crow-pose-yoga-tutorial) in yoga very helpful (it's a tricky one, use with caution.)

Here are some stretches (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forearm-stretches/MM00709) recommended by the Mayo Clinic

[CathyA]

Decemberlov.......if you told your doc all this stuff, very seriously........and he blew you off, I'd find a new doc.
fortunately, a fair number of doctors are aware of fibromyalgia, but there are still some that hold ignorant old notions.
I went to many doctors to figure out what was going on. I finally went to a rheumatologist and she said fibromyalgia.
I went to: internal medicine docs, infectious disease doc, neurologists, sleep doctors, etc., etc. Things were sort of complicated for me. I was very sick with my first pregnancy at age 36........too sick. I could hardly move and always felt like I had the flu. Then in l995, I got a flu shot, but then proceded to get a horrible influenza, then pneumonia, ear infections, IBS, sensory neuropathy. then I went into perimenopause which made it all worse.
Even though those of us with fibro appear to be doctor-shopping, or have hypochondriasis, when you feel so awful, you are compelled to figure out what's wrong.
As they say, FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a condition of exclusion. You have to rule other things out first.........like sleep apnea, M.S., peripheral neuropathy, Lyme disease, etc., etc., etc.

Funny thing when I finally went to a rheumatologist, she would poke me in various places and say "does this hurt?" ......and I'd say........"Well, yes, it hurts 'cause you're poking me." I finally realized that "normal" people don't hurt when poked. Then I realized I hurt everywhere and just thought it was normal.

In my experience, after ruling out other conditions, people with FMS just have to develop their own treatment plan. Many times it includes an antidepressant........not because you're depressed, but because they work on some of the pains we have. Some people find massage works, some people find changing their diet helps. I found that using a cpap for sleep apnea helped alot. And you really learn to plan your day in a way that can maximize your energy.

Decemberlov........have you had a virus in the recent past? Or a tic bite? Any surgeries? Are your periods normal?
One thing I learned from one of my neurologists is that your Ferritin levels can be low, even when your Hemoglobin levels are normal. A low Ferritin level can give you lots of funky sensory/neuro symptoms. If I were you, I'd take some iron occasionally, and also find a really good brand of a B complex. Those are good for nerve things.
Also, try to cut back on your carbs..........sugar especially.
Its really difficult when you feel something is wrong, but the doctor blows you off.
I hope you can find some answers.

[heydude]

If it is a repetitive stress injury (using computer too much or something), Doctors WILL NOT HELP. I repeat, DOCTORS WILL NOT HELP.

Physical therapists that know about it can. (and MANY do not know about it). All doctors want to do is cut you open.