I watch causing Wrist and arm numbing and pain?

I had this problem too! I tried many different things, with no results. I eventually had to return it. It broke my heart! I even got a new smart watch (Garmin vivoactive HR,) and I had the same problem. I did some research, and a lot of people had this issue with the Fitbit Charge HR too, and a few said that once they switched back to the regular Charge, they had no problems, which makes me think that the heart rate monitor is causing it. Yes, I know, it's just an LED light. But I feel almost nothing at all after turning the HR monitor off on my Garmin. Unfortunately, it appears that this device is not very accurate without the HR monitor turned on, so I might have to return that as well. Ugh! Anyone else try this with positive results?

Any luck with turning the HR monitor off? I am one of those that had to switch from a Charge HR to a plain Charge a year ago because the HR monitor gave me really bad pain in the wrist and almost up to my elbow within a couple of days of first wearing it. . It was the weirdest thing,

I tried wearing it on each wrist with varying degrees of looseness, nothing worked except when I switched to the non HR version, the pain and numbness disappeared within a couple of days.

Now that I'm thinking about getting an Apple Watch and remembering that pain, I decided to search for "wrist pain and Apple Watch" which led me here. Seeing this thread does not give me great hope that I won't have the same issues I had with the Fitbit Charge HR though.

Btw, I've been wearing a (relatively) heavy Pebble Time Steel for the last year with either a leather band or metallic band and haven't had any pain at all, but that co is now defunct so that is why I would like to upgrade.

I actually did not turn mine off yet. The pain seems to have subsided, so I dont know if it was just adjusting to wearing it? Maybe because I was so afraid to damage it I was holding my arm funny? Hasn't bothered me for a few days....

yourheather74 wrote:

Maybe because I was so afraid to damage it I was holding my arm funny?

A number of people have reported that. I know, when I first got mine, I played with it a lot which meant I was holding my arm up at an unaccustomed angle. It bother my bad shoulder a bit.

Yes!!!!!!! I was hoping my watch wasn't the reason, but I'm afraid it is. I haven't seen my chiropractor in awhile and thought maybe I had a pinched nerve. My hand falls asleep constantly and now I'm having pain in my wrist and hand. I'm bummed to read that you are also having these same issues. You posted this some time ago. What has come of this since you posted? I really don't want to give my apple watch up, but I will if I need to.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I had to return mine. I also tried several other smart watches/ fitness trackers (Garmin vivoactive HR, Fitbit Alta, and even Fitbit One which is just a fancy pedometer,) and I had the same pain. With the Fitbit One, I felt it in whichever leg I had it clipped to. A friend of mine actually just discovered the same issue. It seems like some people are just very sensitive to these devices, and unfortunately cannot wear them. I was so heartbroken when I had to return my Apple Watch, so I understand how you feel!

mindymccurley wrote:

I have been having the same problem. Is there any way to get this to go away because I really love my watch

No one hear can answer that question for you. Make an appointment with your doctor.

Well, I've finally had to sell my Apple watch because of this. I did ask Apple to return it but because I'd had it too long (5 months) they wouldn't take it back which is fair enough. AppleCare were as helpful as they could be though they seemed more to think it was some allergy causing a reaction but it wasn't those sorts of symptoms.

The pain/numbness/tingling in my wrist, fingers and hand gradually got worse to where I couldn't wear it. Eventually as a test I didn't wear the watch for a fortnight and in that fortnight I had no problems at all (and also wore my normal watch). After 2 weeks I put the Apple watch back on and the pain came back almost straight away, certainly within an hour of wearing it.

I had tried 3 different straps (nylon, milanese loop and a 3rd party metal link one) and the watch was definitely not too tight so it is some aspect of the watch itself.

I think this is either:

1) the domed shape of the heart rate sensor pushing down into my wrist and causing pressure on a nerve, Apple Watch does not sit on the wrist in the same way as a normal flat backed watch

2) the heart rate sensor itself interfering with my body somehow

3) one of the radios in the device (such as Bluetooth)

I wasn't aware you could turn off the heart rate sensor in the settings, I now wish I had known this before I sold it so I could give that a go to rule it out. There are people on the fitbit forums having similar issues with fitbit devices and some people have reported that turning off the heart rate sensor solved their problems. Other people have been incredulous at this and said 'it's just a green LED' but this is all new technology so it's plausible to me that some people might be affected in unknown ways.

Similarly other people have reported that turning off the bluetooth solved their problems on a fitbit. There would be no use having an Apple watch if you couldn't turn on the Bluetooth but I could certainly live with no heart rate sensor.

It seems clear to me that these issues affect only a small number of people (for whatever biological reason), but enough people are experiencing this to where I think there is definitely some issue that certain people are sensitive to. It would be good to get this narrowed down.

Personally I am now wondering about trying another watch like a Samsung Gear S3 to see if I have the same issues. It's a gamble but they do at least have a flat back I think so I could rule out one of those three things.

Your problem will by #1, but see your doctor to be sure. Bluetooth is all around you so you would be sick all the time if this was the issue and there have been numerous tests done showing that WiFi and BT does not cause any such symptoms.

Hi I've been having problems with my wrist also I've had my iPhone watch for quite some time and I've always had problems with my wrist since I started wearing it I think it's a bad device to have but it is very helpful but also very painful to wear

I agree 100%. I though do not have the band you and others have mentioned. I have the original band. Most of what I feel is not where the band is. I wonder are most using the 42 (series 1 aluminum), because I am.

I bought the Apple Watch series 1 aluminum 42 on April 15th around 3 p.m. I set it up and put it on. After an hour, I start feeling light pain/numbing (at first some tingling which I didn't think a lot of at first) under the watch, not band (original band). My band was loose by the way because my wrist is small. I took it off to some relief. After putting it back on for about 10-15 minutes, the pain honestly started traveling up my arm to near my elbow. So I took it off again and did this a few more times. I decided to do research and I see that I am not alone. This is frustrating considering I would love to invest and continue using the Apple Watch considering over the last 4 years I have become everything apple from Android (MacBook, IPad, IPhone, and could be Apple Watch). I refuse to continue wearing this item if it affects my health or causes pain to me. I'm hoping people who are wearing these and have this issue are not ignoring this. I don't have the wrist problems people have spoken of or arm problems. I am a 30 year old healthy woman. Watches have always been my jewelry of choice and I have Never had an issue with them (digital or analog). I'm not sure if it's only the Apple Watch series 1 aluminum 42 or what, but this is a real issue. Apple needs to take notice.

Ktcox21409 wrote:

Never said that that what WAS happening. I just said that's what the sensation felt like. Just because some people are not feeling this sensation does not mean it's not happening.

And, just because people think the watch is causing the problem doesn't mean it is. People experience sensations that make them believe they were abducted by aliens. The underlying sensations are actual neurological phenomena. The explanation the some people have come up with for the sensations is incorrect.

I'm having the same sharp feeling. And it's been hurting for an hour now, my wrist to my elbow. I dont think I will be wearing the milanese style band anymore. Any quick solution to get rid of the pain?