ganglion cyst

[Calluna]

I have one. It flares up every now and again if I lift something too heavy or lean on it, etc. Or sometimes for seemingly no reason at all. The affected hand is also very weak compared to the other. Well about 4 days ago I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up a couple of hours later in lots of pain. And it is still very sore. It was so bad this morning this morning that I was on the verge of tears.

I was told by the doctor that there isnt much they can do. They can operate and remove it but its likely it will come back. But this is unbearable. How can I live with this for the rest of my life?

Have you had the operation? Did it return?
Are there any other solutions?

I was given a pressure bandage and a wrist support but it is very restrictive and uncomfortable in other ways so its not really a helpful solution either.

It hurts!

[PumpkinZulu]

I have one in my wrist, but it drained itself a while ago (at least 6 years ago) and hasn't flared up since. My dad had them in his forehead and had them drained.

[black_rose]

I had the operation the cyst hasn't come back but my vein is damaged and there is a lot of swelling and I have to be aware of how much I use it apparently it may have been because I didn't rest enough after surgery and was pushing it in the personal training sessions 12 weeks later not impressed with my old trainer over that one however I would still have the surgery as my fingers were going numb and I was waking up crying and couldn't change ds's nappies without pain. I am hoping to get back to normal soon but it has taken close to 18 months in the end.

[Butterfly Dawn]

I had a friends who had surgery for this. He was out for weeks. very slow recovery but was fine afterwards.

Ds2 has one his wrist and it comes and goes.

[jellybean88]

I think it would be worth getting operated on if its causing you that much pain

I have between the bones in my wrist which is very uncomfortable and flares up every now and then if I flex my hand back so I just compensate for it I won't have operation as I'm scared of surgery since having another lump removed previously

[AnyDream]

Have you seen a rheumatologist or just your normal GP? I'm pretty sure these can be treated conservatively using needles, the first one kind dissolves it, or they might suck out the innards, and then a steroidal one to treat the inflammation. If it was me I would be asking to see a rheumatologist to find out exactly what your less invasive options are before you go down the surgery route.

[Calluna]

Ive seen an OT at the hospital but she basically told me I have to live with it or have the surgery. :/
Ill bring it up with the doctor, thanks!

Slow recovery does not sound good I hope there is another solution.

[Caz_88]

I had one removed during a wrist reconstruction 3 years ago. it hasn't come back. I still have alot of issues with that wrist which I assume are to do with the other damage, not the ganglion.

[Crowe]

I have one on my wrist. I had it drained via a needle and it went away for about 6 years. It's back now and I am considering an op aswell. :/ my GP reckons the op should get rid of it but I'm not sure if I want to go through with it because it isn't causing my too much trouble yet!

[Novella]

I had one surgically removed at 19 as it was affecting my work. I'm 31 and it still hasn't come back. I do have another one on the back of my other hand, but it doesn't cause any problems so I've left it be

A plastic surgeon removed it

[shazza_rs]

I had one on the underside of my left wrist. It annoyed me as when I typed anything at work and then rested my hand I'd always bump it and it would be painful by the end of the day.

I saw an orthopedic surgeon to get it removed. My options were surgery or hitting it with a big hard book. Obviously I picked surgery. It hasn't come back and it's been about 10 years since the op. No pain or complications in the wrist. My surgeon said it might come back as I play golf and being on my wrist it was a chance it would flare up again. Hasn't happened yet.

If its that painful I recommend going to see a specialist to talk through removal options.

[lisaandshaun]

I had one removed last year and it has come back. Finances prevent me getting the new one removed so I now get the GP to just drain with a needle

[jellybean88]

Haha I got dh to hit mine hard with a big book but no luck but I hear it can work

[3_Girls]

I had one removed from my wrist at age 5. It stayed away for a little while but came back again. By the time I was 8/9 it was gone completely and I haven't seen it since. I did discover one on my foot a few weeks ago but at this stage it isn't causing any issues.

My doctor told me that draining was an option but no 5 year old wants a giant needle in their wrist!