Pain in the wrist/hand

[AS]

I already posted this in the training forum, but i think this is the proper place for it..sorry about the double post...

About a week ago when i was benching i noticed some pain in the top part of my hand on the outside (near the pinky finger). When im actually doing the lifts, i dont experience any pain though. The worst pain i get is right after i rack the bar on the bench press. As soon as i stop supporting the bar with my left hand, i get this feeling in my left hand/wrist like i cant move it. Almost like the feeling when your leg is asleep for a while and its coming back. The feeling like if you move it even an inch its going to really hurt. Basically what i have to do is keep my left hand kind of curled when i take it off the bar, and that feeling goes away in about 15 seconds or so. There's no pain at all when im actually lifting though.

Some other things that give me the pain: If i do a movememt like take my left hand and lightly press on my right pec muscle, i get a little stabbing pain. Same if i take my left hand and kind of lift up my shirt from the waist, just little movements seem to hurt.

Sorry that was a little long winded. Ive been making great progress in my strength and size, and dont want to have to take time off. Im scared of going to the doctor cause he'll probably tell me to stop lifting for a while. Anyway experienced anything like this? Maybe something is just bruised and will go away on its own is what im hoping...not sure. Thanks

[bryanc]

It sounds like you're cutting off the circulation to your wrist/hand somehow, or else the pain is nerve-related. However, the only way to find out for sure is to go see your doctor (can't do a physical exam over the internet). If the doctor tells you you need to stop lifting for a while, and that there aren't really any other options, then that may be what it takes to regain normal function/sensation in your hand/wrist. Not going to see the doctor only means that the pain will persist (or maybe it will go away on it's own). However, if you get a diagnosis, then we can probably try to help you a bit more here.