Tendonitis and LE Risk

rachelvk

I had a bmx with 7 nodes removed last year, so I've been trying to follow the guidelines to avoid LE. Recently, I had a huge flare-up of tendonitis (de Quervains) in my right (bad) wrist. The traditional ways of treating it are a cortisone shot or surgery, both of which fall into the high-risk category. Plus, in the past, cortisone did not help, and the surgery is hit-or-miss, so I'd rather not mess up my wrist for nothing.

What DID help last time was acupuncture. Yes, needles again. Has anyone discussed acupuncture and its riskiness for LE? I plan to consult with the LE clinic at my hospital, but it's getting to the point where lifting and carrying is painful. I'm almost thinking it's worth the risk, if the alternative becomes crippling as well. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Teka

Hi rachelvk,

There're some sufferers of arm lymphedema that use acupuncture treatments.

rachelvk

Thanks. That's good to know.

Binney4

Rachel, there's no evidence one way or the other, though there are reportedly studies underway to show the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for women with LE. Since use of the affected limb is not necessary in traditional acupucture to achieve results in the affected area, you might want to suggest your acupuncturist use other sites. If you decide to use the arm anyway, be watchful for signs of cellulitis infection, which can both trigger LE and result from undetected LE:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

Let us know how it goes! Gentle hugs,
Binney

hugz4u

Rachel, Have you used splints yet? Also when I have a tendinitis flare then I sleep with a night splint which is more comfy than a day splint. I have to lay off doing anything for a couple months and then I heal. Most of all I have learned kinda of a new sense in that I know right away if I am doing something that will set my wrist off and try to back off immediately. Sometimes this means stopping an activity even if I am in the middle of it. This can be hard to do as we a hardwired to finish a job that we start. It takes unreal self control, sometimes I blow it.
I would be wary of the cortisone shot, yet I know that when all else fails we become desperate to stop the pain and succumb to what we normally won't do. It certainly is a tuff decision you will have to think about.

rachelvk

For me, it's a matter of work, though I use the computer possibly more intensely at home (like all these posts...). I'll try to find splints. There is an acupuncturist who specializes in BC patients, so I'll reach out and see what he says. I appreciate the help.

Teka