I woke up this morning and for the very first time, I didn’t feel a need to loosen my right thumb. It actually felt… sort of normal?! It’s been so long since I haven’t had any hand, wrist, or elbow problems, so “normal” seems almost like a foreign feeling or thought to me. Four days after getting my first steroid shot in my right wrist, and I actually feel pretty good. I still feel a little tightness at the tendon area on the wrist with certain movements, but it actually feels like I can do everyday things without any sharp pains or snaps.

As I thought about this today, I really regretted waiting so long to see an orthopedic doctor. I guess I was so anti medical intervention, and the idea of a cortisone shot seemed so invasive. I also just didn’t want to deal with going to a doctor. But I wish I had gotten the referral sooner so I could have been free from pain sooner. I’ve already scheduled a second visit for a shot on my left wrist. As I’ve been overcompensating with my left since I can’t lift with my right this week, it unfortunately feels stiffer on my left side now. The orthopedic doctor I saw told me that between him and the other co-director of the hand and wrist center, they each get 2-3 people (usually postpartum or pregnant moms) every single DAY getting cortisone / steroid shots, so this is a very common condition, and a just as common procedure, and the vast majority of patients get relief that is permanent. With one couple, both the mom and dad had to get the shot in both wrists, and so they alternated weeks so the other could lift the baby!

So I’m hoping just one more shot on my left side will do the trick for me… I hope.