De Quervain's Tenosynovitis - Help!

Hoping to get some replies from anyone who's had the unfortunate issue and what route(s) you chose towards recovery? Did some searching & I'm surprised there haven't been more topics on it here.

I'm currently in month 7 dealing with the problem. Around month 3 I was still training a decent amount each week, but the pain got to the point where splint, ice & ibuprofen weren't cutting it anymore & elected to get the shot. This helped immensely right away, however I am stubborn and got back into training pretty heavily right away once the pain subsided. After about two or three months the pain slowly started creeping back & so I eased off climbing, but was still weight training 2-3 times a week. It has now gotten to the point where I'm no longer doing any type of training and debating what to do next...

Of course, not until after I had gotten the shot I did some research and came to find that it is common that the shot works wonders right away, but is essentially just a temporary bandage if it's not given the proper time that it still needs to heal. Also, there can be negative long term effects from multiple shots. This has me wary about going this route again, but wonder if giving it the proper time to heal after would work this time around?

Surgery sounds like the last line of defense & seems to be very successful, but I'm curious if there are any negative long term effects that come with this? Anyone that has elected to take the surgery route care to chime in on their experience with it?

I know I pretty much dug myself a hole from the start by continuing to train when it needed rest. Should I not worry about a shot/surgery yet & just try giving it the rest it needed in the beginning?? Or would I just be wasting my time wasting away the summer/fall climbing season?

Cheers

Wrist problems like De Quervain's often have origins in some other joint further up the chain (elbow, shoulder, cervical spine, etc.). I highly recommend seeking treatment from a doctor of physical therapy before going the surgical route. PT's are direct access providers (meaning you don't need a referral from your physician) and your insurance should cover your visits! 

Ive had it this year, what a bitch. It seems like you've got it more severe, I managed to tame it wearing a thumb/wrist brace almost 24/7 for 2-3 months, with a lot of rest (not using my thumb for ANYTHING), then at night for another month or two. Did some ultrasound PT, ice, reverse wrist curls, and recently Ive done rice bucket work to get that last stubborn bit out. It seems to have caused a few other minor issues in my wrist and the back of my hand possibly from scar tissue and whatnot.

Tried using the false grip when weight training? If you dont piss it off then it should be ok? Using kinesio tape felt really good when I was easing back into climbing.

Cant advise re: surgery options sorry. Good luck. This thing is a total bitch once it gets going.

First make sure that’s really what you have.  My PCP insisted I had Dequervain’s, but I was sure it was Intersection Syndrome (similar but different).  Hand specialist confirmed my diagnosis - in fact, he was bummed he didn’t have any students around as mine was a “classic” case :^/ -  got the shot, did the exercises (interestingly, dead-hangs seemed to help me a lot which isn’t a “normal” Tx for it; I assume becuase it helped stretch the tendon sheath).  If it was me, I’d get another shot and REST LIKE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO!!!!  Plus find a really good PT and follow their advice as well.  

How did yalls intersection syndrome turn out? Any beta for it?