Wrist pain spread to arm and back

Hi, I'm new here, 25 year old (well, 26 this Friday) girl from England.

I haven't had a proper look at the forum yet but like what i've seen so far There's a nice big variety of subjects - I will probably read and post in the technical forums at some point as i always have queries in that area and don't trust company's own reviews which can be biased. I'm glad there's a lot of art sections too as i particularly enjoy music, literature etc.

Anyway, the reason for this post is that I've been having trouble with my left arm for a while. Hope to get some advice, suggestions or maybe you have experienced something similar? Any comments welcome.

I had aching and stiffness in my left wrist for nearly a year which just recently got worse and seems to have spread. I've started to get cramp in my upper arm and forearm nearest the elbow. The pain is similar to hitting your funny bone except it can last for hours. There's also a frozen feeling inside and numbness sometimes.

My doctor very quickly suggested Tenosynovitis (similar to Tendonitus) and arranged for me to have a wrist brace. I've seen her twice this year but i feel uncomfortable discussing things face to face as I'm nervous around people Whenever i see my doctor two times in a row (which has only happened twice) she seems a little dismissive and annoyed with me.

Since my last doctors appointment, my shoulder and upper back are quite stiff all the time and I've noticed my little finger is visibly coming forward a little compared to on the other hand (but perhaps it always did). I hoped there might be a chance to mention some of this when i had my wrist brace fitting appointment. But, he simply fetched a medium sized support from the cupboard, put it on and said 'Ready for work now?' It was over with so quickly i didn't feel able to say anything.

I've been wearing the wrist brace (it has a metal splint and covers my thumb as well) for 2-3 weeks, just while i'm at work. I find myself constantly repositioning, tightening, loosening it because it's giving me cramp like symptoms in my thumb and hand. I just can't make it comfortable. It feels like the brace is tugging or twisting my muscles into an un-natural position (kind of like a chinise burn).

Has anyone here worn a wrist brace and had success with it?

It could be that i need one higher up my arm, i really don't know. My upper arm and back is aching now and it's been taking me ages to get to sleep I got myself a memory pillow recently but it seems to be making me more tense (I'm a very tense person anyway but never experienced it this bad) .

I will probably see a doctor again, perhaps try a different one but after my experiences so far i don't have much faith in them giving me a proper diagnosis and treatment. I'm worried all this is never going to clear up.

I'm not expecting to get professional medical advice, just support or ideas is fine.