Experiencing Hand Pain: What Are My Options?
I’ve been dealing with a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist for over a year, usually without much discomfort. Occasionally, it causes some pain, but it typically fades pretty quickly. However, yesterday was different; the pain intensified significantly. I thought it would improve, but more than 24 hours later, it’s actually worse. I can barely move my hand or even touch the cyst, so I’m currently typing this with my other hand.
The timing couldn’t be worse—I have so much work to complete, much of which requires the use of my hands, and I can’t just do it digitally. To make matters worse, it’s the second to last week of the quarter, so these projects are critical finals. I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed and unsure about what to do next.
Update: I found out that the nearby Urgent Care doesn’t accept my insurance (out-of-state Medicaid), and unfortunately, my college doesn’t provide any insurance options either. I ended up going to the hospital, which is the only place my insurance covers. They drained the cyst as much as they could, though it wasn’t very effective. I’ll have to see how I feel tomorrow.
I’m really sorry to hear you’re dealing with this pain, especially with finals coming up. It sounds frustrating to have that added stress while trying to manage your projects. Since the cyst has started to hurt and has limited your movement, it’s good that you sought help at the hospital. Hopefully, the draining will provide some relief.
In the meantime, here are a few things you might consider to manage the pain and continue with your work:
Ice Therapy: Apply ice to the area for 15-20 minutes every couple of hours to reduce any swelling and numb the area, which might help with pain relief.
Rest: Try to give your hand as much rest as possible. If there are tasks that can be delayed or delegated, it might be a good time to do so, even if it’s just temporary.
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with the pain. Just make sure to follow the dosing instructions.
Wrist Splint: If you have access to one, wearing a wrist splint can help stabilize your wrist and reduce movement, which might alleviate some discomfort.
Keep Your Fingers Moving: If it’s not too painful, gentle movement of your fingers might help maintain some range of motion. But avoid any activities that aggravate it.
Communicate with Your Professors: If your pain is severely impacting your ability to complete assignments, it might be worth reaching out to your professors. They may be understanding of your situation, especially given the circumstances.
Hopefully, you’ll feel some improvement soon and can get back to your regular activities. Take care of yourself, and you’re not alone in this!