Work and wrist problems :(

jennylynn
jennylynn Member Posts: 101
Hi there everyone,

Still relatively new to the site so i apologise if someone has asked for similar advice (and i just havent come across it!) just wondered if anyone else had problems with their wrists in the morning?
I have PA and am currently taking MTX, Celebrex and Cocodamol. I'm pretty stubborn with my condition, and really do push myself to keep as active as possible but i am really struggling with my left wrist, mainly in the morning.
I get alot of pain in the night and often wake up with pins and needles, but by the morning the inside of my wrist is very red and tender. The main problem is holding things and gripping things until it eases off later in the day.
I'm doing a dentistry course at present and really need to keep my wrist in good condition, so i was hoping someone would have some tips or exercises to keep it moving?

Thank you

Jenny x :D
Jennyx

kittens.jpg?1295453358

Comments

  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI jenny

    I don't often look in on this forum :oops: but I'm glad I spotted your post. You might like to pop a similar thread on the Living with arthritis forum, as although your problems are at work, there are a lot of us on the forum who have wrist problems but not all will look in on here so you may get more responses there.

    I recognise what you describe only too well, as that is how I was for a long time, until my arthritis was under better control.

    I have RA, so can't say whether what helps me would help with your PA, but hopefully I can give you some ideas for how to get help.

    As you are taking MTX I assume you have a rheumatology nurse? if you do, there is usually a helpline number you can ring for help ..... and that might be a good idea.

    Your rheumy nurse, your GP or you yourself can refer you to the community Occupational THerapy service, who might be able to help you with ways to better protect your joints, so that they hurt less.

    If you are lucky enough to have a hospital based OT they may be better informed about specific arthritic conditions (My hospital based OT is an arthritis specialist), and can prescribe or make you all kinds of supports to lessen the impact on your wrists. I have working splints for typing/gardening/cooking etc, resting splints to sleep in (which have made a huge difference) and also use things in a different way now to lessen the impact on my wrists.

    If you ring the Arthritis Care helplines they could send you the info they have on joint protection too. there is lots you can do to help yourself.

    hope that helps

    WOnky
  • jennylynn
    jennylynn Member Posts: 101
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you so much, thats really great advice. I am waiting to hear if i am eligible for a clinical trial so should have an appointment in the next two weeks at the hospital, so i will ask my rheumy nurse then. I've just changed rheumatologist so i have no bloods records or anything with a contact number, just an email address.
    I've sent the rheumy nurse an email about the sleeping splints, i think that would make a massive difference! Its funny, you just think you have found ways to work around the joints that ache and then a whole new set start flaring! because me knees are bad i am pretty reliant on my upper body strength to lift myself up, when my wrist is sore i am really struggling.
    I am so relieved that this is not an uncommon occurence with RA, at my last appt they thought i had osteoarthritis in my hands and not PA so to be honest i am not too sure whats going to happen with my current diagnosis. Keeps changing x:))

    Jenny x
    Jennyx

    kittens.jpg?1295453358
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    OH Jenny things do keep changing with arthritis, it is soooooo annoying!! and I too find that when one part is bad I compensate for it wiht another, which then flares. The trick (I'm still working on it!) is to balance the two .... but easier to type than to do :roll:

    I am glad that you found some suggestions useful. Now you have posted this on LWA I hope you'll get more responses. :)

    Also if you do a search for 'wrist splints' you might find more information about different things people have been given (or have developed themselves) for wrist pain & wrist support.

    Gosh hadn't realised you had changed hosptials - scary! Mind I have just had a new consultant (the other one retired) and to be honest it is wonderful to have a different perspective on things, so I hope this is the case for you!

    Do ask for an OT referral if it's possible - I learned so much from mine about how to adapt in different situations, and they would be able to help with the dentistry stuff I am sure.

    take care
    WOnky
  • jennylynn
    jennylynn Member Posts: 101
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey WOnky, posted this on here so you could see what they said at the hospital as well as in the 'living with arthritis' forum. Changing hospitals is a nightmare! i'm on my 4th rheumatology dept.

    Thank you for all the advice and the kind words x:))

    Got a response from the rheumy nurse at the hospital.
    She basically said that if i go to my gp and they recommend any new medication (steroids, antibiotics etc) for my wrist then it could affect my ability to take part in the clincal trial (still not confirmed that my blood work was ok for me to go ahead) so not too sure what that means?! if i can take part in the trial i should have an appt next wednesday, if not i dont really know where that leaves me....

    she did recommend the arnica gel and witch hazel though. I tried wearing a support but it actually made it feel much worse. I think i am possibly just going to have to live with it until i can get back to the hospital.
    I'm really torn by the clincal trial, in some ways if it works it could make all my joints feel better, but if not i feel a bit like its all just deteriorating for no reason when they could be trying something else, the dose of methotrexate i am on is not working and the rheumatologist told me that back in july.
    I know everyone can sympathise with the waiting and the hospital appointments!!!

    Jenny x
    Jennyx

    kittens.jpg?1295453358
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Arnica gel - keep forgetting about that but it can be good stuff :)

    as for the clinical trial, only you can decide, but you need as much info about it as you can get in order to make that decision, otherwise it is a tough choice

    have you thought of ringing the Arthritis Care helplines people?- they are good to talk to about this kind of thing.

    good luck with the waiting .... I know that feeling!

    WOnky
  • gazza544
    gazza544 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I too have PA in the wrists and can totally sympathise with you, I ended up in plaster because of mine last week. I am on sulfasalzine and celebrex at the moment and not seeming to be touching it.