Hand pain/weakness

[Carrollf1]

I am 19, a student, and during finals this week I experienced a very intense pain in my right thumb from writing. I thought it was just general fatigue, but now a few weeks later I'm still experiencing the same pain while writing, but it comes almost instantly. I also feel weakness almost 24/7. Any suggestions?

[earthwitch]

Sounds very much like an overuse injury. Ask your GP about getting referred for physiotherapy. They may also be able to provide you with a splint of some kind for if it gets bad. You could also try a different type of pen - either one that is a bit fatter, and so easier to grip, or a gel or ink type pen that doesn't require so much "pushing" on the paper. Even things like making sure your arm is well supported as you write - maybe even trying one of those gel wrist rests might help. I had a particularly bad overuse injury many years ago, and learned how to hold a pen by kind of wedging it between my second and middle fingers rather than between thumb and next finger. Also be aware that the nerves that go down to your fingers do go all the way down your arm, so doing really good stretches of your whole arm can really help, including raising your arms right up, doing shoulder rotations, and doing wrist rotations. You probably need to be doing the same kind of stretching exercises that typists should do for avoiding repetitive strain injuries.

[johnsmith]

One of the muscles in the forearm has micro-cramps. Find a helpful person who can help you stretch the muscles in the forearm.

Hope this helps

[mitziblue]

Hi Carroll, Have you been checked for fibromyalgia? It maybe worth a trip to the doctor to find out. Question, I know this sounds crazy but, bare with me. Look at your finger nails at the cuticle and count the half moons on your hands. Most people with fibromyalgia haven't got any or if they do they'er only a few. Out of ten I have 3 small one's. Hope this helps. xxx Mitzi

[pippingford55]

Hi Carrollf1, I can only offer suggestions. It sounds like a kind of repetitive strain injury. Exams are very stressful. Maybe your nerves are causing you to grip you to grip your pen too tightly? Perhaps you could hold your pen between your index finger and your middle finger instead. I've tried it and it is possible but could slow you down somewhat. Speak to a doctor about your situation. Pippingford55.