Of Aches and Pains.

[ginkage]

Most folk that read this know that I have CTS, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I've had it since I was fifteen with on and off flare-ups that have never really warranted more than the occasional wearing of wrist braces.

Since I took the deli job back in January, my wrists have begun to deteriorate at what seems like an alarming rate. The right one is worse, of course, since it is my dominant hand. Yet, It was still manageable.

Now, my middle finger is constantly numb at the tip. I frequently get pins and needles in my hand just from resting it in the wrong position for too long. Even this I could deal with.

Today...I can't close my hand. The tendons along the back pull too hard and I get a spike from the wrist joint to my elbow. I can't hold anything that requires firm pressure without excrutiating pain. It feels like my whole hand is swollen but it's not.

I'm actually starting to wonder if I don't have tendonitis -on top- of the CTS. Unfortunately, not having health insurance from work (hooray, part-time), it'd cost a small fortune to get it looked at I'm sure. I know there are options, but I'm deathly afraid of hearing the word 'surgery' from a doctor.

It's taken me quite a while to write this, my fingers keep going numb. I haven't had much bring me down lately but pain always does it. Pain I can't get to stop is even worse. I had to write this and get it out of my head before the self-analyzation drives me up a tree.

I can't doll, I can't knit or do needlework. Hell, I can barely hold a book. Dammit. :(

Comments

[captivatedheart.livejournal.com]

:( I'm so sorry you are in such pain at the moment. Especially if it's a pain that just won't go away.

[ginkage.livejournal.com]

Interestingly enough, the pain subsided as the afternoon went into evening. Whether it's my already stressed muscles reacting to air pressure or what, I'm not complaining. It means I might actually be able to sleep tonight.

Thank you for your concern, though! It is appreciated. :)

[(Anonymous)]

If I thought kissing it would make it better, I'd be down in a shot. *sheepish grin*

However, since I doubt it would, I have to ask if you've tried braces. A while back, I had some fairly mild CTS (not professionally diagnosed, but hard to ignore the numbness and the pain). My solution at the time was to try some of the kind of braces you'll find in the "owwie" section of the local sports goods store. They were a bit of a b* to type with, but they gave my wrists a bit a rest to the point where they stopped hurting so bad.

[makuus.livejournal.com]

Sorry, that was me.

[ginkage.livejournal.com]

That's okay, the sentiment is still appreciated in lieu of the act. :)

To answer the question, I do have braces. Rather nice ones that I dropped about $20 each on. My left one isn't always necessary because it's not my dominant hand. The right one has been on most of the day today. Probably will be off and on for the remainder of my short couple of days off.

Thank you very much for the suggestion and the offer. :) *hug*