Chronic wrist pain after surgery.

[Fellodan]

Hi guys. So I've just found the site and thought I'd say hi.

I'm Dan a 31yr old male. Let me tell you my story. Almost 12 years ago now I dislocated and broke my wrist in a sporting accident whilst in the army. I then spent the next 2 years with it hurting and after a few scans and exploratory surgery I was told that it hurts because I'm tall and my joints are more likely to move freely. So I accepted this and got on with my life putting any pain down to what I was told.

Fast forward 10 years and suddenly the pain becomes slot worse. I'm told that I've broke my wrist and end up in plaster for 10 weeks(even though I told them the pain was on the other side of my wrist). I'm now out of plaster and still in pain and still not being listened to, a few more scans and I finally end up with a Dr who listened to me and sends me to a specialist.

Finally I see a specialist and he tells me I've torn my cartilage. Finally get to surgery and am told the operation went well. Asked him what he thought of the tear and he believed it was an old injury, most likely from 10yrs ago.

So 2 weeks pass and I go back to have my pot changed(I've been in a bit of pain in and off). He takes my pot of and the pain hits me. It's like nothing I've ever felt before. I'm on gas and air and morphine. He doesn't know what's up. After a few test he can't figure it out so sends me home. I now don't sleep for 48 hours. I end up at A & E, more painkillers until finally he admits me back into hospital. After a few checks he believes he's damaged some nerves during surgery, starts me on pre-gabalin, gives me some more painkillers and gets off.

Over the next few weeks I increase my dose of pre-gabalin whilst continuing to take other painkillers. All the while I just feel useless, I feel a burden and for some reason I feel a fraud.

Finally I get my pot taken off and the specialist tells me how he'd never seen any one in as much pain as I was that day and that it was a 1/1000 chance of happening to me. He also told me was referring me to a pain management consultant as they could deal with it better than him.

A few weeks later I see my normal GP and am put on anti-depressants and also sent for CBT. I'm feeling like I'm wasting everyone's time, I've no control, I've not been able to pick up my children and I'm not back at work due to the medication I'm taking. This isn't even beginning to tell you the stress my wife has been under because of all this as well. Oh let's not forget the fact that the bedroom department isn't working either.

I finally see the pain management specialist and he wants to try these patches. It takes over a month for me to get these because of NHS politics and they don't relieve any pain. Another appointment and he suggests radiotherapy treatment with steroid injections. They donthis under local anaesthetic and I'm not ashamed to admit I whimpered like a baby. I came out of theatre and told the wife that even if it worked there was no chance I'd have it done again in 6 months. Well it didn't work.

It's now around April time and I had the original operation in November. I can't sleep, I'm miserable, I do nothing around the house and the list goes on. To put it bluntly I'm a mess. I've finished my CBT sessions and unfortunately feel like I got nowhere, I've increased the dosage of my anti-depressants and yet I'm still the same.

Back to see my pain guy and he wants me to have another scan to make sure there isn't something obvious missed, so an ultrasound later(which hurt a lot) and a steroid injection given I'm still in the same state. However I've just had my first appointment with the wrist specialist, he tells me that mechanically it's perfect and for the first time he actually apologises for what he's done. I'm still in pain though.

So pain specialist again and he now decides that the only way I will get back any way of life again is a spinal cord stimulator. After some research I agree. Unfortunately my private health doesn't cover this so I'm now waiting for this on the NHS. I've been referred by my GP so it's now a waiting game. Since this my pre-gabalin has been increased again.

I've now being suffering with severe wrist pain for 9 months now, I'm on drugs that just mess with you, I don't sleep, I'm putting on weight and I feel useless.

I look around and see people so much worse off than me and I feel like a fraud, like I shouldn't moan, but I do and I hate myself for this. They say life is short but I feel like I've wasted the last 18 months. I'm missing my 2 daughters grow up because I can't get myself out of this hole of self-pity.

If someone would have told me this was going to happen before the operation, I'd of said no. The pain before wasn't good but at least it was manageable and there was no medication involved.

I know this is a long post and I've waffled a lot and for that I'm sorry. I just want to know, Does it get any better?

[stix]

Dan never think your a fraud, your suffering pain and it gets you down especially when its constant, and i know how you wish for just an hour of relief.

Nerve pain is the worst, i sit here thinking why cant they just cut the root to the nerve and put a end to it, but apparently its not that simple ? (why not)

The one thing i have learnt of late is to not let up ringing and pestering the hospital chasing them for cancellation's etc. show them how desperate you are and don't let them forget it. Making them remember your not just a hospital number is needed at times.

Have you tried acupuncture ? it works for some and it did for me until i had to start taking anti-coagulants and had to stop the needles.

Dan i hope you soon find the answer and get some relief and normality back in your life, good luck

[Rosepetal60]

Hi Dan. How on earth could you be a fraud??? No way are you. You like many others including me, put your trust in " consultants" and had an operation only to find it was a mis diagnosis and your pain is a lot worse. These people have a knack of making you feel it was your fault ( well that was how it was for me) I know now it wasn't my fault. The mistake I made was trusting these NHS medical people and still some more further down in my life because I wanted relief from the pain but I got more pain.

Certainly worth trying Acupuncture but make sure the Acupuncturist has the advanced qualifications and years of experience because I've also been damaged by an Acupuncturist in my search for pain relief.

I'm just wondering if the Veterans site may be able to help you with a grant or donation towards a private operation and support or is their an Army charity you could approach. First thought would be to try Veterans UK. But perhaps you have already done this.

try not to let the negatives take over. Easier said than done I know. But all this stress makes pain worse. As does Anxiety.

Im sure lots of people on here will reply with helpful ideas.

Keep on researching and trying for help.

Best of luck

[Sheryl4659]

I can't offer any advice just to say everyone on here is suffering and even if you want a rant to let off steam do so, keep as well as you can and we are all here for you.

Big hugs. Sheryl

[Bananas5]

Just an extra special hug Dan from a carer who does understand.

Pat

xxx

[Hidden]

Has anyone suggested that you may have Chronic Regional pain syndrome? You sure read like someone who is at his wits- end. I can assure you you are not viewed as a fraud by anyone here, we have all had that feeling. I have had two major back surgery's that were according to my surgeon completely successful, yet I'm still in considerable pain, when my pain consultant looked at my most recent MRI she wasn't surprised I was still in pain and gave a completely squint on the results. I think that most surgeons and G.P's have their limitations when it comes to appreciating how pain affects the whole person.As for your question does it get any better the answer for lots of people the answer is yes it does, and you must (for your sanity ) decide in your mind you are one of those lucky people, I never give up on the idea that I will, in the not-to-distant future, be pain free. and will go back to my crazy busy active life. A spinal cord stimulator is on the cards for me too, and I am looking forward to it being the answer I need in my life. My friend had one fitted and for her it has been a God send. I refuse to be beaten and if necessary will go to my maker with that attitude. I will not be beaten by this.

[Hidden]

Hello Dan,

First things first, it can get better and secondly you are not a fraud.

There are two fronts on which this battle (forgive the phrasing) must be fought, the physical and the mental.

Physical side - sometimes I think that specialists need to deal with what is in front of them and then look at the cause. You have excruciating pain that is adversely affecting the quality of your life. They need to deal with this. Has there been anything that has worked to deal with the pain, even 500mg paracetamol which can be surprisingly effective (my friend was on morphine, he collapsed and the ambulance crew gave him a couple to get him down the stairs. He said they worked really well despite thinking that they would not). Cold packs may be effective, a TENS machine and maybe acupuncture (I was petrified of needles but was so desperate that I had some treatments and they did work for lower back pain / osteoarthritis / Fibro). Also do some research, if you have not done so already. Maybe your post is the start, there is a lot of information to examine. When the pain has been addressed then you can start to move it again and get the strength back.

On a side note would the SSAFA be in a position to offer any financial assistance or any other sort?

Mental side - this is just as important as the physical side and in my view, even more so. What things do you still get enjoyment from, even the smallest thing? Give yourself a break - you are suffering from chronic pain, you will feel depressed. Get yourself some help, whatever works for you - talking, kicking a football, going for a walk, taking the kids out, talking to your wife. Are you still in touch with people who you served with. This may be a time for Forces humour!

I know that my wife is suffering just as much as I am. She has lost the 6'3", built like a brick toilet, Police Officer she was married to for 28 years. I now have to use a wheelchair and need her support more and more as time goes on.

Intimacy, well there's more to that than sex. Showing someone that you love them in whatever small way still keeps the bond going and that is what is important.

You will get there in the end.

Best wishes.

Dave

[Danslatete]

Nerve pain is horrid. It can rule your life.

It took me a good 2 years to feel as though I had made any change to pain levels from my spinal ops, 2 a year apart, that eventually ended my service career.

I did get my pain under more control. I got my mindset back on a positive climb.

I got another job. I got another injury, I got the treatment as soon as possible.

I was terrified I would spiral down again. I knew I could get through it as I had before and I already had the tools given to me before to do it!

I then had a life changing accident that injured my body and brain. It took 8 years but once again I kept on keeping on. I've been in part time work now for I think 4 or5 years. It feels like a full time job but it is within my new limitations. It was hard accepting the new limits. It was hard accepting I'm not the same but when I did it made living easier and pain management more effective.

Once again I'm back in the hands of the NHS. It's hard to think positive but I know that whatever the outcome I can do whatever I chose, just in a different way for less time and need recovery time planned in. I can participate in my childrens life even in small ways.

There is more than one way to skin a cat

My children actually said they liked me being there to talk to, it was fun learning to cook and washing, ironing etc along side me with my BI support. They also have grown up knowing that not every injury is visable. They can do anything they set their mind to even if it takes forever!

What I'm trying to say is it's not all bad. You will have support when things get on top of you here, somewhere to vent. More than anything you are not a fraud.

This is your pain, your injury. Own it, don't let it own you.

[lowlife]

I think most of us on this site has been through the pain, depression and feeling useless the same as you. Nerve pain is exhausting to deal with and some meds can work only a little but not enough to give the relief needed. I was wondering if a splint may help as it stops you rotating your wrists? Just a thought but may be worth a try. X

[johnsmith]

What physiotherapy did you have after being in plaster for 10 weeks. You should have had physiotherapy to deal with the muscle shortening that takes place when a plaster cast is put on a limb for any period of time.

You need physiotherapy to get the muscle functioning properly.

I know from experience having broken my wrist a few years ago that getting muscle functioning back can be an arduous and painful experience. The trouble is the younger a person is the less problem a person has with muscle shortening and plaster casts. As one gets older the more problem a person has with plaster casts and muscle shortening.

I think you may be looking at medical negligence here.

If you have the resources contact a physiotherapist at one of BUPA hospitals and get them to look at it.

Hope this helps.

[dianadoors]

Hi,I smashed my wrist 3 years ago and experience severe pain in both hands(the uninjured one too)I have been on just about every medication but can honestly say that I am trying to take control.The pain is like nothing on earth,I've had children so know what it's like to feel pain.Wean yourself off the meds if you can.Putting on weight is common with pregabalin. There is such confusion over this condition I feel I'm on my own.I have been keeping a pain diary which surprises even me but its a good idea because the pain and its severity changes such a lot.Hold on in there!Be positive

[Indranghimiray]

I know its an old post but how are doing? I have similar condition to yours. Severe pain in wrist post two surgeries. These days severe tingling in fingers, pain in entire arm, severe pain and fatigue in entire body, brain fogged. Nerve block in pipeline for me. Did you get spinsl cord stimulator?