Dealing with hand pain: what’s next?
I’ve got a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist on my dominant hand. It’s been there for over a year, and usually, it doesn’t bother me much. If it does hurt occasionally, the pain tends to fade after a bit. However, yesterday it began hurting severely, and I thought it would improve, but over 24 hours later, it’s actually gotten worse. I can hardly move my hand or touch the cyst—I’m even typing this with my other hand!
The timing couldn’t be worse, as I have a lot of work to complete, much of which requires my hands and can’t be done online. Plus, it’s the second-to-last week of the quarter, so these projects are crucial for my finals. I’m feeling really stressed and unsure of what to do next.
Update: I found out that the nearby Urgent Care doesn’t accept my out-of-state Medicaid, and my college doesn’t provide insurance either. I ended up at the hospital, which is the only place my insurance covers. They drained it as best as they could, but it was only a little relief, so I’ll have to see how I feel tomorrow.
I’m really sorry to hear about your hand pain and all the stress it’s causing you, especially with finals coming up. It’s tough when you’re dealing with something that affects your ability to work. Since the hospital drained the cyst, hopefully that brings you some relief soon. Here are a few suggestions you might consider while you’re recovering:
Rest and Elevation: Give your hand some rest and try to keep it elevated to reduce swelling.
Ice: Applying ice to the affected area can help numb the pain and reduce inflammation. Just remember to wrap the ice in a cloth to protect your skin.
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with pain management. Make sure to follow the dosage instructions.
Modify Your Tasks: Since you mentioned that a lot of your work requires using your hands, see if there’s a way to modify your tasks. Perhaps you can enlist help from friends or classmates for some of the more hands-on projects, or see if you can record notes instead of writing them out.
Follow Up: Keep an eye on how the cyst is feeling. If the pain persists, it might be worth reaching out to a specialist, even if it means going a little out of your way.
Communicate: If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your workload, consider reaching out to your professors about your situation. They may be understanding and offer extensions or alternative arrangements.
Take care of yourself and listen to your body. I hope you start feeling better soon!