Is there anything I can do?
Amanda&EricB
member
I have been having awful pain in my right thumb for a few weeks ago. My doctor didn't seem concerned, she said it's swelling and fluid building up in my wrist and will go away. That's great, except it is seriously limiting my ability to do things.
In the morning, it hurts the worst. I try to flex it and get stuff circulating but it really makes me cry because the pain is so bad. I cannot grip anything with it- doing dishes I have broken a few things because I go to pick them up and my thumb has shooting pain and no grasp. My car has the gear shift in between the driver and passenger seats and there is a button on top of it that you have to push down and then pull the shifter down (duh, right?). Well I've started to have to shift it when my left hand because of the pain/lack of ability to grasp with my right.
Today I decided to put an ice pack on it but I didn't really notice a difference. Actually I couldn't even really feel how cold the ice pack was, when I had it on my wrist/lower thumb. 
It was mentioned that I get a wrist brace, and I will be getting one Tuesday. Has anybody else had this problem, and the wrist brace helped? Would an ace bandage work the same? Should I be more concerned about lack of feeling (the cold) and the pain? It's getting really frustrating!
Re: Is there anything I can do?
Thanks for the suggestions, Michelle. No I don't notice it specifically when my elbow is bent. It mostly hurts anytime and anywhere. I think we'll try the ace bandage tonight and see how that goes and if nothing else, I can try a walk in cllinic tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Is the pain at the base of your thumb? Shooting pain when you try and grasp with your thumb opposite the rest of your hand? It might be de quervain't tendonitis. I got it after I had my daughter and it's horribly painful. A co-worker who just had a baby had it too. Not sure how common it is during pregnancy, but it's pretty easy for a doctor to diagnose based on the movements that cause the pain and the location of the pain. Definitely ask about it! I opted for the cortisone shot and it worked like a charm (after months of pain)...but physical therapy and using a brace is another option. Good luck!
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/DS00692
Wow, that sounds EXACTLY like what I'm dealing with. That is so crazy. I am going to print that out and ask my doctor about it. I wonder if I should call my PCP instead of OB to explore this?
It might help to go to your PCP, they can refer you to a hand specialist to check it out and treat you....might be easier with insurance if referral comes from PCP rather than OB. Mine happened after DD was born, so I was only seeing PCP by then. Good luck! I know how crazy that pain is...
I had this after my DD was born too and it was always worse in the mornings when the tendon got stuck. My pcp kept saying carpel tunnel but the hand doctor was the one who got it right. The cortisone was amazing!