Treat Your Wrists Well

I’ve been less productive lately due to wrist pain. I was starting to worry; I build software for a living, write in the evenings and weekends, and play video games for entertainment. Luckily, the doctor gave me some good news.

I had tendonitis when I was younger, so I am familiar with that type of pain, and how to control it:

• Take B6 and B12 daily
• Use wrist splints, especially while sleeping
• Reduce usage

This pain was different, though. I felt it mostly in my pinky, and in the knuckles nearest the pinky. There was also numbness, and my wrists hurt. I noticed my left hand was bad, so I put a splint on it at work and only used my right hand. The result was my left hand got better, but my right got much worse. Last Thursday, I couldn’t even pick up a pen; my mind said “grip and lift” but the pen fell through my fingers.

Swelling indicates arthritis. The doctor ruled this out immediately.

Carpal tunnel is normally felt in the wrists, below the palm. It’s usually accompanied with redness and warmth. Normally all fingers but your pinky are affected. This was also ruled out.

The doctor said numbness implies nerve problems, and the issue was my Ulner nerves. He asked if I put pressure on my elbows while I work. I said no, then looked down to find I was leaning on my elbow. Touché, doctor.

He prescribed Piroxicam. I should avoid exercises that put any stress on my hands. I’m also going to go back to a standing desk, so I can’t rest on my elbows, and reduce my hours at work and writing until the pain subsides. Video games have been replaced with watching Japanese TV.

I might try the Windows 8 Voice Recognition software again, so I don’t get too far behind on Echo Chamber Heist.