TENDONITIS or not?

[Vitrivius]

Hi! I need some advice. I can't go to doctor due to quarantine/lockdown. I appreciate any insights and idea how can I treat it... like first aid and stuff.

Basically my right hand is in bad shape. The base of my thumb, the fleshy part(thenar eminence) is swelling and has a small soft lump(not painful though and I didn't even notice the swelling part until I compared it with my left hand). Sometimes my thumb, ring and pinky finger are numb. Random needle pain at my wrist and some area from time to time. Now I can even wrist crack. When I crack it, the uncomfortable pain/numbness goes away.

I experienced the pain and numbness at my thenar eminence before, I thought maybe because of overused. It usually heals after a few days but now it's been 2 weeks and hasn't fully recovered.
I have a slight injury at my elbow 10 years ago, so It was normal for me to sometimes feel pain at my right arm and shoulder. But lately I can't even type on my phone properly.

It's not painful, it's just so uncomfortable I can't draw properly.

Have you experienced this?

[unknown_user]

I don't know, if there any doctors in this forum, and how much can they say without seeing it...
Try to find a way to get online doctor consultation?

[Iris-Grimoire]

Any continued numbness and difficulty with certain movements means it's pretty bad, at least from what I've heard on artists that had to go into treatment because they didn't pay attention to the signs. I've never had mine go past 3 days. Maybe try an artist glove while you can't get a doctor? Though of course the best course is not using the hand at all for as long as you can.

[Vitrivius]

Doesn't have to be a doctor. I read some thread here about tendonitis and CTS. I just wanna hear their opinion, experience, and idea for short-term treatment while in quarantine. Plus I'm working home-based so I really need some insights rn.

I considered an online doctor but they asked more or less 25USD upfront fee in app purchased which is kinda sketchy anyways thanks!

[33rdCenturyCaveman]

Not a doctor of course, but me experienced similar things with carpal tunnel. Have you checked your working posture? Do you get up from work often? Me set timer so me can walk 3 minutes every 45 minutes. It great for irrigating the extremities with blood. Also it probably good idea to strengthen wrist and firearms. Do suitcase and farmer's carries till you got guns like Popeye.

[Vitrivius]

Can I ask what kind of treatment he/she undergoes? I'm kinda worried because I only draw intensely two days a week, I seldom draw the rest of the week... But it's still swollen.

It was my fault for ignoring the signs. I thought it was my imagination that my hand is swelling. And I ignored the symptoms too. I dont know why it acted this way when In fact I don't draw that much lately. Maybe my sitting position?

Thank you

[Iris-Grimoire]

I really don't know in detail, they mentioned physiotheraphy but might be more than that. My mom has carpal tunnel and at many times they said she'd had to get surgery and would never regain the full hand movement again (but the pain would go) and thankfully the solution was getting tools that she could use with the left hand and after a year it got better.

Seating position can make it worse(get up often, shake ya legs and feet), seat height can make it worse, distance to tablet/keyboard, leaning the arm in a pinched position on the table (bad for people who use only tablet and not PC/laptop), and also the fun anxiety that arises when the thought of stopping work crosses your mind. I just feel miserable when I need to have a break, even if I must do the break. But it's better to stop for a few days than to never draw with the same speed or efficiency ever again.

Atla Hrafney - Doing Editorial Commissions! (AtlaTheWriter)

inkboy@online classes how? (joeyroditis)

[Vitrivius]

I don't draw much in a week so maybe because of my sitting positon. I only draw two days a week and I those days I don't reDt that much... only rest every 4 hours. I seat more than 16 hrs in a day. I even get water retention on my feet for seating long T.T

What do you do on your treatment? Do get that swelling thing on your thenar eminance too?

[33rdCenturyCaveman]

Used to have swelling in lower legs. Also dry skin and nail issues. This was when me was sitting down for similar hours without breaks. Not even rigorous workouts would do away with the feeling of pain and weakness.

Me found that people are built for walking. It now my remedy for most things. Just woke up? Walk. Need to warm up for workout? Walk. Need to cool down? Walk. Eat heavy meal? Walk. Knees weak after sex? Walk!

[Vitrivius]

I'm having anxiety bc my main job is drawing and using my hand so... Yeah.

I should do exercise and stretching. Thanks for the links! It was really helpful!

[Vitrivius]

I can't even walk during the lockdown . But I like your suggestion. I can lose weight faster by walking than running, t's the best exercise I can also think.

[33rdCenturyCaveman]

With music, it still possible to pace inside a small room. Try to cross space diagonally, or pick L-shaped path. Just make sure you turn left as often as you turn right, otherwise one leg may not get stretched as much as the other. Can lead to pain in the hamstrings.

Sad? Walk. Hungry? Walk. Constipated? Walk. Tired after leg day? Walk. Upset over climate change? Walk . . .

[Cavechan]

Please, please see a doctor. There is now an issue where some people are avoiding going to the doctor or hospital and things that can easily be treated then turn into bigger problems.

I would check with your insurance company to see if an online appointment would be possible since it sounds like an issue that may be able to be diagnosed over a video chat. It doesn't sound right that the app itself would cost money. For example, with my insurance it would be free for the service but since it would be considered a normal doctor visit, I would have to pay the copay which is like $30 (my insurance changed recently though so idk if it's still the same).

Or you can try and make an appointment with your PCP. I am sure they have a protocol for visiting. A friend of my desperately needed to visit the dentist and was able to find one who worked with her. She just had to wait in her car until the person before her left and then she was able to go in for her appointment.

[Iris-Grimoire]

Here's another one that I found in my bookmarks. Again, doesn't beat a doctor and I'd do what Cavechan suggested at the least, but might give some pain relief.

https://www.polk-fl.net/staff/employeeinfo/wellness/documents/handsandfingers.pdf

There's also shoulder and neck relief excercises that are just as useful out there.

[lil-sea-salt]

This is not an alternative to going to the doctor.

But you can take a picture of it and post it in the askdocs subreddit . That would probably be the quickest way for it to be seen but the people giving you advise may be medical people in training.

It's better than nothing, but you really do need to be seen if it's bothering you.

[Vitrivius]

I've been trying to walk longer after eating lately, I guess I should do it often. Seriously thank you so much

[Vitrivius]

Yeah I really do wanna go to a doctor. I'll try checking online. I hope there's an open clinic

[Vitrivius]

Thank you!! I'm watching the same stretches on YouTube rn. Thank you so much!!

[Vitrivius]

I already did that, haven't heard anything since yesterday that's why I ended up asking here.

[Vitrivius]

I'll try again with a different subreddit. Thanks!!