I always tell people this: Your health is more important than your art. Even if your life is art, your health is more important.
So, yeah, take the weekend plus a few days off. Hopefully people will be calm about this.

if you absolutely HAVE to work then you should be using a wrist brace. but depending on what type of injury it is - like if it's sprained - you really shouldn't be exerting your wrist

I have no clue. Also, I keep hearing mixed things about braces? I sleep with one on and I'm told you should absolutely NEVER work while wearing one because the resistance will mess up your wrist even -more-

Mostly I think I just need to restrain myself and take a few days to not use the computer or draw or -anything-
I just don't know how to relax I think and the constant activity has gone a bit too far ;;

idk it might depend on the injury? i have carpal tunnel and everyone always says it's better to work with one on than not if you're having carpal tunnel pains while drawing. reason being you're not really supposed to be drawing with wrist movements anyways, youre supposed to use your shoulder/arm. (but i still do because it's more precise for detail work..) for a broken wrist i could see it being extremely bad to draw with a brace/cast on but for a sprain i have no idea. if your injury is from overuse of your wrist you might have hyperextended a muscle or something in which case it'd be best to just rest. if it's carpal tunnel related you can still work with a brace but you need to do wrist exercises/stretches at least once or twice daily

it's kinda hard to self diagnose but I'm thinking it's either carpal tunnel or a hyperextended muscle as you've said? I don't really know how to pin down the symptoms & I can't really afford to get it checked out right now

overuse is definitely the cause though. Can't say I've had any serious sudden impacts recently that would've caused it, but I just work on art every single day & I tend to put my leisure time towards fighting games a lot (which are exceptionally intense on the hands, moreso than typical action gaming I think??) & I mainly socialise online so there's a lot of keyboard use in there too. Drop on top of that the fact that I typically cook my own meals rather than going out and... yeah >_o;; my hands get a LOT of work every day even when I'm "relaxing" haha...

Also, there's a little bit of pain in my finger joints sometimes. I dunno if that means anything. For the past couple days it's felt sort of alright enough to work but I usually can't keep going after just a half hour or so.

but um on that note I don't know if that sort of thing is what causes carpal tunnel? If it's a hyperextended muscle, how long do you think it'll take to recover?? should I wear a brace while resting or ice it or anything?? If it's carpal tunnel and I can't adjust my drawing posture, is my career as good as dead???? sorry I'm going overboard with the questions here >_o;;; art is like my lifeblood & the only income I have right now so this is all pretty daunting, it came at a really bad time too b/c I'm about to move again pbbbth

I PROBABLY, won't reply after this cuz typing probably isn't helping. I'm just gonna leave my hand to rest for a few days but um, thanks for the advice;;;

WAIT QUICK EDIT: do you think I should keep my brace on constantly while I'm recovering, or at least while not using my drawing hand??

there's a nerve that runs through the center of your wrist to your hand; carpal tunnel syndrome (abbreviated cps but most people just call it carpal tunnel) is when that median nerve is compressed too much by the band that keeps your wrist nerves/tendons together (which is called your carpal tunnel, "carpal" because it has to do with your fingers/hand - carpals). the nerve controls the muscles around the base of your thumb and provides sensation to the palm side of your thumb/fingers

from mayo clinic - "In general, anything that crowds, irritates or compresses the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, a wrist fracture can narrow the carpal tunnel and irritate the nerve, as can the swelling and inflammation resulting from rheumatoid arthritis.
In many cases, no single cause can be identified. It may be that a combination of risk factors contributes to the development of the condition."

in the case of drawing, what can cause cps is repeatedly bending your wrist forward and unbending it while putting pressure on it which can irritate or cause narrowing to your carpal tunnel. BUT it can be alleviated with wrist exercises and properly holding your tablet pen (holding a tablet pen is different from holding a pencil) here is the proper way: http://p-the-wanderer.tumblr.com/post/6990209684

you dont need to go to the doctor unless it's broken if you already have a brace unless you're having pain that persists for a long time and it's not healing. in general to diagnose wrist problems and how you should wear your brace: if it's a recurring problem that flares up from time to time then it's probably cps (rest if there's swelling, wear a brace to sleep and if you draw but you don't need to be wearing it 24/7 unless it's uncomfortable - some wrist usage is good to keep the muscles healthy! just don't overuse). if it's never happened before and the injury was after a recent overexertion then it's probably a hyperextended muscle or something (rest for a week or so, doesn't take very long to heal and brace not needed but if it's more comfortable wear it). if there's a lot of swelling then it's a sprain (wear a brace 24/7 if possible for ~2 weeks). if it's extremely sharp pain that doesn't cease then it's a break (emergency room and cast for a month). i've had all of these things happen to my right hand and it was terrible because i'm an animator

you only need to ice your wrist if there's swelling. in that case you should also elevate it and alternate icing it and not icing it in 15 minute intervals until the swelling goes down. but if you're in pain then ice can help alleviate it. if it's a muscle injury ice won't help pain, you'll need a heat pack instead.

don't despair if it turns out you have cps, even though i have it i've improved my condition lots with exercises/stretches. these are the exercises i do as part of my daily wrist stretches: http://49.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m.....5bk4o1_500.gif if you need an explanation or video let me know
i know plenty of artists who have it but still are able to make their living off art, like purplekecleon/glitchedpuppet is one. so don't feel like your life is over even tho it's scary

ALSO typing isn't very bad for your wrists as long as you're sitting properly. sit straight, feet flat on the floor, elbows bent and off the table, forearms straight. using a mouse is worse tbh, get one with ergonomic support if you can. hell get one of those boobie mousepads if you want lmao

You should totally take a break of, it will feel worse if you end up over-pushing yourself and make it worse, than taking a smaller break now and get it check up if it's that bad.

Just let your wrist heal up. Health before work

I didn't know things made of Jam could even get wrist injuries. be careful!

Hope it gets better soon but yeah generally when one of my wrists acts up the only thing I do that seems to help is just not straining it and trying to keep it in a natural rested position. I'd recommend wearing a brace while you're sleeping at least just in case your wrist might end up in a bad position while you sleep.

Take... A break.
Stop... drawing... every day.

Because we understand and there is no rush and your health is most important and miau c:

I hope you get plenty of rest.

you should take a break and look into some types of excercises/things you could do to help heal your wrist, your health is important yo