Wrist/forearm pain for YEARS - doctor is clueless?

Question

I have been playing guitar for 12 years, and ever since a biking accident I had when I was about 11 years old, I have been having intermittent but almost severe pains in my wrist. I never feel pain when I play guitar, but a few days afterwards I will feel a sharp, deep pain through my entire wrist area. Sometimes it just happens out of nowhere, whether or not I have been overusing it. My fingers get tense and have trouble moving, and my entire wrist has trouble moving. However, movement does not make the pain any worse.

I have been to a doctor who told me it is NOT carpal tunnel, it's not DeQuervain's tendonitis, it's not a broken bone... and when I showed him where it hurt, since it was so many locations simultaneously, he said, "It's probably tendonitis in all of those tendons, so I can't give a cortisone injection or anything." He advised me to take ibuprofin every 4 hours for 3 weeks while wearing a brace.

Sure enough, I was in WORSE pain keeping my arm still so I called the Dr. and he told me to remove the brace and keep taking the ibuprofin. The pain went away temporarily, but each time it comes back, although intermittent, it gets worse. Has anyone had a similar problem? I don't know what to do anymore. I'm only 18 years old, so I'm not thinking arthritis, though maybe that's it? I'm just so frustrated and in a lot of pain. It hurts more than any of the 12 piercings I have. Any advice? Please help!!!

* The Dr. didn't want to do an MRI because he said it won't show him much since they're "hard to see" on wrists. (BS.)

Answer 1

I have a similar problem - I also played the guitar for years, as well as having done a lot of needlework by hand, such as cross-stitch and such, and crafting. So for my right hand, it WAS carpel tunnel, had surgery and those things are better.
However, this didn't solve the problem with the left hand, where my pain and problems are similar to yours. It was diagnosed as tendonitis, went through physio and ultrasound treatments, which didn't do much. Ibuprofen helps sporadically. Strangely, washing dishes or clothes by hand really, really hurts it for days after doing those movements. I get pain from my elbow, down through the big muscle (on which I have a Band-It brace I use), to the wrist, and then the fingers. My husband massages it frequently, but he knows it's not a muscular problem, but it does ease it for me. Sometimes it's helped by raising my arm from the elbow on an incline (like a folded pillow) so my wrist and fingers are higher.
I suggest that you see another orthopedic specialist. Good luck.

Answer 2

There are a lot of good answers on this one... surprisingly... most health questions have ridicul;ous answers. However.. One of the key things no one mentioned is any anti-inflamatory treatment, such as advil/ibuprofen should not be taken for a period lasting longer than 2 weeks. Consult your physician or read the bottle, both will tell you the same thing. As for what the pain could be, tendonitis of course, sprained wrist, could be arthitis, there are certain types that affect even little kids, so your age does not absolve you from it. Could be a calcium deficiency. Causes muscle pain, cramping, and bone problems. Could be a chipped bone or a fracture. Could be an elbow thing that is impinging on the bnerves. For the most part I agree with the other people and you need to see a specialist. Any doctor who tells you to take advil for three weeks is not someone you should be getting advice from ever again.

Answer 3

-Start your day with lemon juice and honey in warm water. Drink this every morning before breakfast, it helps to gradually clean your digestive system. It kills germs that could be causing constipation and the honey helps heal internal inflammation. It also powers up your liver for the day, which is important for good digestion -Take a magnesium supplement daily. You may need a lot, most people with severe constipation are quite deficient in magnesium, so start off with 500mg per day. If you are still passing hard, increase to 750, then to 1000 is necessary. Once you find an amount that works for you keep it at that amount and eventually start to decrease it to a more average amount (250ish) -Eat plenty of fruit and fresh fruit juices. Fruit acts as a natural laxative and will help get you regular again. Citrus fruits and anything high in vitamin C are especially good for getting things moving -I know you said you know to drink lots of water, but have you thought to experiment with warm or hot water? The heat can help relax the muscles in your digestive tract ;) wouldn't hurt to try! -Exercise is important for staying regular too. Get at least 10-20 minutes of cardio each day, like walking. Exercises and stretches that require twisting from side to side also help promote movements Try all of these things and you should find releif in a day or two ;) if a week passes and there's still no change, please see a doctor. You may have a blockage or possibly parasites that requires medical attention. Hopefully this works for you though :)

Answer 4

It is probably tendonitits. The only real cure for it is rest from the activity that most likely caused it. I also bought a tendon pad at the local drug store. It is a strap that fits just below the elbow and makes the tendons in the wrist and arm feel better. That is the best solution I can offer.

Answer 5

Go and find another doctor. The one you have been seeing is a quack. Any pain that gets worse needs to be seen by a decent specialist right away.

Answer 6

I recommend you see an acupuncturist. They are superb at treating soft tissue problems. I have seen remarkable recoveries with people using acupuncture.