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Broken wrist

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
JMyrtle

JMyrtle

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I know this is "way off piste" but I am desperate for some advice please and I am sure someone here can help me.
Two months ago a silly accident involving the greenhouse and a watering can meant I fell awkwardly and hurt my wrist.
Rang the GP and was told treatment for sprain or break was the same so strap it up and take pain relief.
Two weeks ago when I couldn't stand it any longer I rang the GP again to ask for an x-ray and was told to go to the MIU.
Result broken wrist now self healing so referral to the fracture clinic needed.
Problem is that the pain at night is awful and I cannot sleep even with ibruprofin, GP not interested and fracture clinic says they have written to my GP and returned me to his care as the fracture is healing and there is nothing more to be done.
Has anyone else had this and how long does it take to go away please.
 
JMyrtle said:
I know this is "way off piste" but I am desperate for some advice please and I am sure someone here can help me.
Two months ago a silly accident involving the greenhouse and a watering can meant I fell awkwardly and hurt my wrist.
Rang the GP and was told treatment for sprain or break was the same so strap it up and take pain relief.
Two weeks ago when I couldn't stand it any longer I rang the GP again to ask for an x-ray and was told to go to the MIU.
Result broken wrist now self healing so referral to the fracture clinic needed.
Problem is that the pain at night is awful and I cannot sleep even with ibruprofin, GP not interested and fracture clinic says they have written to my GP and returned me to his care as the fracture is healing and there is nothing more to be done.
Has anyone else had this and how long does it take to go away please.
Click to expand...
That's sounds so dismissive JM...how disappointing your GP has treated you like that...are you able to tolerate any stronger painkillers?...possibly you could ask your GP for something to help with the pain...from what I know (and I presume we all heal at different rates) it takes between six to eight weeks for a fracture to heal...what about some appropriate wrist supports...does your surgery have a nurse that could check you are strapping your wrist adequately or provide some...I would give them a call...make sure your GP has been written to...tell them you are in considerable pain & need to see someone.
 
You have had a bad deal there JM. Really good lock. You can get ibuprofen cream which helps reduce pain.😉
 
HOBIE said:
You have had a bad deal there JM. Really good lock. You can get ibuprofen cream which helps reduce pain.😉
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That's not helping Hobes...she taking oral Ibuprofen already...I think it's awful treatment...to be left to just get on with it...if it is healing itself and needs no other intervention fair enough...but to leave someone without adequate pain relief is horrendous...when I tripped over in London...had to go for a CT scan...my GP gave me 500 mgs Co-Codamol tablets for the pain.
 
JMyrtle said:
I know this is "way off piste" but I am desperate for some advice please and I am sure someone here can help me.
Two months ago a silly accident involving the greenhouse and a watering can meant I fell awkwardly and hurt my wrist.
Rang the GP and was told treatment for sprain or break was the same so strap it up and take pain relief.
Two weeks ago when I couldn't stand it any longer I rang the GP again to ask for an x-ray and was told to go to the MIU.
Result broken wrist now self healing so referral to the fracture clinic needed.
Problem is that the pain at night is awful and I cannot sleep even with ibruprofin, GP not interested and fracture clinic says they have written to my GP and returned me to his care as the fracture is healing and there is nothing more to be done.
Has anyone else had this and how long does it take to go away please.
Click to expand...

I’m surprised you haven’t been given tramadol for a short period to get you over the nocturnal pain JMyrtle. When I fell and broke fingers and tore up my shoulder, the hospital in Spain gave me an immediate pain killing injection and my own GP prescribed tramadol for a short period when I got home.
It’s not something you want to be on long term but needs must. Get back onto your GP and ask for stronger pain relief. Good luck.
 
You have been very badly treated and I'm so sorry you've been left in such pain. I broke my wrist (the actual break was the scaphoid bone) and it was the most painful thing I had experienced, so I know exactly how you must be feeling. Which is of no use to your query whatsoever, but it does get better I promise you. I would go back to your GP and ask for stronger prescription painkillers. I went for about 3 weeks before I realised I may have broken mine, went to my Doctor who sent me straight away for an urgent X-ray, telling me it would take ten days for the result. But within two days the Dr contacted me to say I was to attend the fracture clinic immediately. Which I did. I had left it too late for having it put in plaster, so instead they gave me a very strong wrist support to wear, which had buckles all the way up my arm and around my thumb. I wore this support for quite a few months, maybe as long as 6 months. This helped immensely and although it took time, I felt the pain was not so awful with the good support. I think you should maybe see another doctor and get a second opinion. Nothing worse than living with that pain. I hope it gets better for you soonest.
 
Sorry to hear about the way you've been treated and your concerns dismissed @JMyrtle - really not good treatment IMO.

Like @Bubbsie, I wondered if co-codamol might help (the ones you get from the pharmacy are a bit weedy, but your Dr can prescribe stronger ones - though you do need to be cautious about taking them for long periods)

Alternatively aspirin is another anti-inflammatory (NSAID) if inflammation is part of your problem. Mrs Eduad swears by Anadin Extra as part of the toolkit for some nasty pain she is experiencing at the mo. That's a mix of aspirin with paracetamol and caffeine to speed the action, I think.

Oh... and bear in mind that heavier-weight painkillers often 'bung you up' so you may need to watch for that too. Never rains but it pours, eh! :(
 
Thanks everyone,
I don't know which bone I have broken but the pain is all down the side of my hand below the little finger right up to the little bump just above the wrist joint in the lower arm where it is most painful.
The MI U gave me a metal splint that goes halfway up my wrist fastened with Velcro but I am not supposed to wear it at night which is when the pain starts.
Tramadol doesn't agree with me, I had it after my breast cancer surgery and it left me "high as a kite" to the point I didn't recognise people I had known for years, not good.
I will call the surgery tomorrow and see if I can get some co-codomol, my McMillan nurse got some for me when I couldn't tolerate the Tramadol so hopefully they will let me have some, depends how good a mood the receptionist is in!.
Unfortunately changing doctor's is not an option as we are a rural surgery and our only G.Ps are the doctor and his wife.
 
JMyrtle said:
Thanks everyone,
I don't know which bone I have broken but the pain is all down the side of my hand below the little finger right up to the little bump just above the wrist joint in the lower arm where it is most painful.
The MI U gave me a metal splint that goes halfway up my wrist fastened with Velcro but I am not supposed to wear it at night which is when the pain starts.
Tramadol doesn't agree with me, I had it after my breast cancer surgery and it left me "high as a kite" to the point I didn't recognise people I had known for years, not good.
I will call the surgery tomorrow and see if I can get some co-codomol, my McMillan nurse got some for me when I couldn't tolerate the Tramadol so hopefully they will let me have some, depends how good a mood the receptionist is in!.
Unfortunately changing doctor's is not an option as we are a rural surgery and our only G.Ps are the doctor and his wife.
Click to expand...
Never mind the receptionist try to speak to the doctor..be persistent...you shouldn't be in so much pain...I hate taking strong painkillers but there are times when regular paracetamol & such like just don't cut it...good luck.
 
Well I "put on my big girl's knickers" and rang the surgery this morning.
As I'm not on a repeat prescription for co-codomol I have to apply in writing which the doctors will then consider, although they now accept requests by email rather than letter.
As Monday is a bank holiday probably nothing will be decided until wednesday.
 
JMyrtle said:
Well I "put on my big girl's knickers" and rang the surgery this morning.
As I'm not on a repeat prescription for co-codomol I have to apply in writing which the doctors will then consider, although they now accept requests by email rather than letter.
As Monday is a bank holiday probably nothing will be decided until wednesday.
Click to expand...
I believe you may find that co-codamol can be bought 'over the counter' at pharmacies. It was certainly the case recently when I suffered a fairly serious fall, which caused me some days of pain. The only concern I had was that co-codamol is regarded as being habit-forming.
 
Contused said:
I believe you may find that co-codamol can be bought 'over the counter' at pharmacies. It was certainly the case recently when I suffered a fairly serious fall, which caused me some days of pain. The only concern I had was that co-codamol is regarded as being habit-forming.
Click to expand...
It can be but it is not as strong as the one the Doctors prescribe.
 
JMyrtle said:
Well I "put on my big girl's knickers" and rang the surgery this morning.
As I'm not on a repeat prescription for co-codomol I have to apply in writing which the doctors will then consider, although they now accept requests by email rather than letter.
As Monday is a bank holiday probably nothing will be decided until wednesday.
Click to expand...
Well done but the process is so slow...frustrating...fingers crossed you get it sorted out before then.
 
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