Pain in hands and wrists

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Pain in hands and wrists
3
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 10:45pm
Finally went to the doctor last week for recheck of thyroid and also told him about the pain I'm having in my hands and wrists. It is in the tops of my hands and wrists, not on the underside. After feeling them and doing a couple of movement tests he ruled out Carpal Tunnel. He did extra bloodwork to check for rheumetoid arthritis (which runs in my family) but that came back negative - no ra. I should be jumping up and down about it. Instead I'm just frustrated that the pain in my hands and wrists is continuing and keeping me from doing things I love like riding my bike. Has anyone else who's hypo had similar symptoms? The doctor told me it might be some sort of virus attacking my joints and gave me some Celebrex for the pain but no prescription for it. The celebrex helps and so does Advil but I don't necessarily want to have to live my life on painkillers.

I feel strongly that it is still related to my thyroid. And despite my TSH coming back normal I don't feel normal. I'm sure my husband would tell you that I've been moody, grumpy and generally unpleasant to be around. I'm also exhausted again. I'm going to schedule something with an endo even if it means waiting several months. Using my regular GP isn't cutting it. But advice about what could be affecting my hands and wrists is very much appreciated.

Danielle

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 11:57pm
Hello...

I'm not sure how much help I can offer since I DID have carpal tunnel (in both hands, although the right was worse). I went to my doc for that and that's how he came to test my thyroid and we found out I was hypo. Even after I started the synthroid, my hands still hurt and I eventually had surgery for carpal tunnel on my right hand. My left hand stopped hurting, but did develop a trigger thumb...

Anyway, none of that makes a difference since you have been told your pain is not carpal tunnel...

What I was going to suggest (before I started rambling) was that you try wearing the wrist braces (usually for carpal tunnel) at night while you are sleeping. My neurosurgeon told me that people sometimes tend to ball up their hands in fists, or curl their wrists when sleeping...perhaps your pain is just muscle strain from that. The braces might help if you haven't tried it yet.

Just a thought...

dazed

Dazed
Co-CL Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Board
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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 09-04-2004 - 12:00pm
Hi dazed - I had carpel tunnel syndrome and it went away with thyroid treatment but you made a really good point about slepping at night. I always slept with my right hand curled up and bent in against my chest. That had to stop!! It was really hurting my wrist without me being aware of it. Part of the reason why I'm suffering from an impingement in my shoulder muscle right now is because I was sleeping with my left arm under my pillow and crooked around with my head resting on it. I was cutting off all circulation and seriousl cramping my arm. Wrist braces at night might be a good answer! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2003
Sat, 09-04-2004 - 7:33pm
My thyroid is high and my wrists and hands always ache. I complained to my family doctor, last week, about it and he told me to take 4 "pure" fish oil pills a day and it should go away. Well, I am going to try it, but sometimes I think he's nuts. I ordered the fish oil that day and have been taking it. He also said it would help my blood pressure that goes high at night. Possibly, he is nuts.............. Sue