So, apparently there's nothing wrong with me.

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.

Rio,
Sorry they couldn't find anything.

For a while when I was being told the Dr couldn't find anything wrong with me, or it was just in my head, I started to think I was going crazy.

However, pain kept making me go (and a fiance who cares a lot ), and 4 Drs later... diagnosis. The Dr who listens makes all the difference. You'll just have to keep trying.

Best of Luck
mj

Thanks, mj. That's good you managed to find a diagnosis in the end. This isn't the first doctor I've been to, though - it's the third, and I've seen four physiotherapists, and they've all said different things. Not sure it's worth trying again, they'll just think I'm wasting their time...

Hi Rio ~ It ALMOST sounds like carpal tunnel to me. Does your thumb hurt alot ~ especially at the base of it?? This can go all the way up your arm to the elbow up to the shoulder. It's very painful !

I believe you - I was told many times there was nothing wrong with my back, until I finally got a doctor to run an MRI on me - THEN they found out I was right! 3 surgeries later, and i'm disabled.

Doctors don't always know what they're talking about. I know you've been to several. Sometimes you have to go to just one more before you find one that will believe you. It's maddening.

Best of luck - you might try a neurologist - if it's the ulnar nerve, it would be under neurology. God bless. Hugs, Lee

Thanks, Leed. I don't think anyone has mentioned nerve problems, actually; might have been considered and ruled out quickly, I don't know. Don't remember having pain in my thumb, it's mostly at the base of my fingers in my left hand and in my right wrist. That sucks it took you so long to get help. The ironic thing is that everyone apart from orthopaedics did seem to think there was something wrong, they just didn't know quite what...

Have you considered it's psychosomatic? This doesn't mean it's in your head, but more that your emotional state has caused your body to create a physical symptom.

I found it hard to cope with constant physical problems arising with no particular cause, but have come to realise it's probably more about how my body copes with my emotions. The pain is very real, but it doesn't necessarily mean there is a disease process there or anything like that.

Hey Lee,
I agree.

My hand turned purple one day (a deep purple) and hurt so bad. I went to 2 different hospitals because the first DR was a joke. (He diagnosed me with Raynoud's and told me to move south - though it was summer and I was indoors) The second hospital tried saying it was carpel tunnel. Then at my regular Dr they said it was tennis elbow. Occupational therapy showed it was none of those.

I finally got a Dr (2 later) to do a CT scan on my neck to check for a pinched nerve for the pain in right forarm. The CT scan showed normal.

Went to a chiropractor, told her what was going on, and she new exactly what it was. I have compressed disks in my neck and a pinched nerve between C7 & C8. One adjustment and the pain was gone for almost 3 months. If I want it to stay gone, I will need to do traction, but I'm not comfortable putting a sling around my neck and hanging it in a doorway quite yet. Maybe someday...

So, Rio, I understand the frustations. This was just one of my many symptoms and many drs it took to get me to my current diagnosis today. Every ER visit, every complaint, helps to prove you aren't making it up, and that something IS wrong with you, and that they need to consider other options.

Please don't give up. Then next DR might be the right one

(also, I'm big on DO's, and no I can't spell that out for you , instead of just family Dr's. They really seem to listen to what is going on, they tend to listen to what you would like to do for helping yourself, and are big on alternative treatments, in my experience. Just a suggestion)

Hope things are going better for you!
mj

I am so sorry. I know what that is like. I have nerve pain right now and they have no idea what is causing it. It is fusterating because I have 4 doctors working on this and none of them can come up with a diagnosis.

I would continue to seek help for the pain and stiffness. Don't give up and keep on your doctors to find out what is wrong. Have you had an EMG, xray, MRI?

You are the one who knows your body. You know if there's something wrong. It's so frustrating when doctors invalidate your experience!

I wish they would say "I don't know how to fix it" instead of acting like it's not real because they don't have a name for it or don't recognize the symptoms.

Good luck to you! I agree with the advice to keep trying. You definitely don't have to worry about them feeling like you're wasting their time. It's their job to examine you and look for a solution. You have a right to keep asking until you get answers!

Thanks guys. Life is kinda on hold on account of exams (and rubbish weather) at the moment, but if it's still bad once exams are done then I think I'll give the doctors another go. Managed to play a bit of violin recently, can't reach all the notes any more but at least I haven't had to slow my playing down too much...

I agree with Leed, Rio.

Your pain certainly could be carpal tunnel syndrome. Particularly if you regularly play the violin. That sure could cause the severe pain and stiffness in your hands and wrists.

There are special gloves to wear, as well as medicines to relieve the inflammation. Best wishes to you!

Carpal tunnel has a specific set of symptoms that if you don't have them, it's not like you still have carpal tunnel. Many people assume anything in the wrist is carpal tunnel, but it usually (in my experience) isn't. And carpal tunnel is ONLY in the wrist and hand (thumb and first two fingers only), if it's farther up your arm then the problem isn't in the carpal tunnel, it's farther up your arm too. It could be pronator teres syndrome, "double crush," a brachial plexus issue, thoracic outlet syndrome, etc etc....

Also, you'll get a different diagnosis to whomever you go to depending on their specialty, or even if they dont actually have a specialty, they usually have their own fascinations which they will assume. They also will suggest treatments they are familiar with..you gotta shop around a lot and do your own research (with a grain of salt from the internet...it can be tricky) and its often trial and error.

Don't give up.

Has anyone mentioned RSD Reflex sympathetic Dystrophy it can be brought on even by a very minor injury to the area or your neck affecting your arm or hand on that side .I developed it after a more severe injury to my neck a whiplash injury that also involved 4 bulging discs but learning more about it through the years it can start with a minor injury even a cut that throws your sympathtic nerves out of wack t feel pain in your brain more .It also if left undiagnosed to long will become worse and lead to fibro with time and other things .You need to find a neuro who has knowledge in this area many don't it is also been known as Cronic Pain Syndrome its been around for many years different names or you can google it and read up on it see if the symptoms fit.

Good Luck ...I have been on pain meds for the nerve pain and breakthrough pain and find warm water and massage very helpful meaning about 60% winter has been brutal in MA this year for that and the fibro as many have said I feel almost like I have devolped agoraphobia not being able to leave the house for a couple weeks at a time ....spring hurry up as anxiety levels go up from cabin fever/extra pain !!!

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?

Rio I am so very sorry for the disappointments that the medical community has put upon you.

B-R-E-A-T-H and don't you give up! When your suppose to get a doctor that get's it you will find him/her. Have you tried a (Rehab Doctor) oh and
keep looking, I believe in you and I understand your nerve pain, I use a heating pad and actually buy one every 3 months or so. Massage is nice to and there is thing that a person with chronic pain came up with, "it's called a back stick." Medicaid will pay for it but would have to check with your state.
Also, contact the University Hospital in your area where they actually train doctors that is what I did and slowly I have found a neurolgist. Cross fingers that he can find the things plaguing me.

Just hang in there and try meditation and I'm sorry
:shakehands: I'm Crew and nice to meet you...

Good Luck with your stuggles and know there are tons of people here ready when things don't go so swell and were here when you need to celebrate. Just don't give UP, Please....................... to our new friend, .... Crew

Rio, can I ask how old you are and are you female? Sometimes severe hormone fluctuations can play a part...carpel tunnel = fluid in the wrists and hands...

Could also be as a result from RSI(Repetitive strain injury)......

I have carpel tunnel and tendonitis in both thumbs although it is worse in my right hand, the one I use most. Some days it is so bad, I cannot pick things up or write.....I strap my hand and wrist on those days.

It took 6 years for an awesome GP to finally diagnose me and he did it in minutes because he knew what symptoms to look for.....

Celery seed (in a capsule from health food shop) or celery juice is a diuretic which helps to expel excess fluid from the cells.....ipso facto, less pain in joints and tendons. Give it a go if you can for a month and see if it makes any difference. My doc who dx me put me on celery.

Has arthritis been ruled out?

Take good care,

Michah

Get a second opinion--you are the one who knows your body best. Stiffness and nerve pain are unlikely to be psychosomatic, or a "somatoform disorder" of some kind...stiffness? I can't say I'd know, I am not a doctor, but keep looking until you find some kind of answer. There's more than one fish in the sea...

I know what it's like to live with chronic pain--it's the story of my life...I have lupus, MCTD, AS, OA, and avascular necrosis--they're going to operate on April 15....not soon enough for me...but there's a lot of ups and downs with chronic pain. And if you're having a "down" they love to tell you it's "in your head" or "I can't find anything wrong." I love the way my PCP puts it: "I have good news and bad news: the good news is the tests and my exam don't show anything. Unfortunately, that's also the bad news..." And then he does what he can to at least make it liveable. I stick with docs like that. But a first-time consult that lasts 15 minutes? Time to look for another opinion...Just my own opinion...

Good Luck...and I hope you have a better, less painful day (I never say a "pain-free" day because I think I was maybe about 9 the last time I had one of those)... Not trying to be a downer, but to let you know you're in good company!

Wow, it's been ages since I checked this thread...sorry to everyone for leaving it so long to reply! Thanks for all your support.

I don't think it is carpal tunnel, because as watchthestarsfall says I get symptoms in my arms as well. I have a "tennis elbow support" that puts pressure on tendons just below my elbow, which can help sometimes and makes me think it's more of an issue with tendons than anything else. I've been tested for arthritis and inflammation and that came back negative.

Personally I think RSI is most likely, which might also explain why it didn't really show up at orthopaedics? It gets worse when I do anything repetitive, like typing.

I'm considering going back to the doctors again, but I'm getting more and more convinced that this is caused by my trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling), because the hair pulling has been bad recently and I'm now starting to lose some feeling in my fingertips as well as the usual stuff that I mentioned before. (Not all the time, fortunately, just when I'm doing anything repetitive.) If it is the trich that's causing it, this basically means that I've brought it on myself because I've been to three therapists to try and stop it and it hasn't worked (well, it did the first time, but the second time didn't help at all and the third time only helped for a couple of months). So if I tell the doctor this I really don't know if there's anything they can do - suggesting I go back into therapy again isn't much help (especially since I'll be going home for the summer in a few weeks and I'll never hear the end of it from dad if I go back into therapy again ), and if orthopaedics is right then even if I do by some miracle manage to stop then it won't make the RSI or whatever better, it might just stop it getting worse...

So, essentially, this is my own damn fault.