Quote:
Originally Posted by Rio_
Had an orthopaedics appointment today that I'd been on the waiting list for since September, to try and figure out the cause of the pain and stiffness I've been having in my hands and wrists. It ended up lasting only about 10 minutes, and he said he couldn't find any evidence of tendonitis, trapped nerves or anything other than that I just have stiff joints. 
Can't believe it...I know I'm not at the level where I'd need to be on disability or anything, but I am not making this up!  Yesterday I was getting pain in my right wrist after about 20 minutes on the computer, that lasted for most of the morning - that never used to happen! I used to be able to stretch out and move my fingers more than I can now, writing by hand didn't used to hurt and I didn't used to reach the end of the day with a right wrist feeling like it's starting to go numb and a left hand feeling like it's being stretched more than it actually is when I straighten it out.
But apparently there's nothing that can be done and I'm just stuck like this.  |
I sure can understand how frustrating this is from my own experience. I know you are not making anything up.
There are things that can be done. The doctor you saw ruled some conditions out. This can be helpful though it might not feel so at the time. I think he should have spent more time with you and definitely given you some hope.
Have you been checked for arthritis yet? You can read through info on arthritis and other conditions through sites like
WebMD . Repetitive strain injury is worth reading up on too. And you might want to get more opinions from another doc.
You might be bumping against our society's divide between acute and chronic illness. In other words - many doctors know what to do with acute illness, things like a broken wrist etc., but not so much with the long term chronic stuff that many of us are challenged by. Chronic illness/disability can take more work to diagnosis, understand, and manage.
There is hope. You will be able to find out more on what is going on and you will find some symptom relief.
For now, does ice help?