Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,416
4,245
Down south
This is a legit question, and I REALLY like having the AW, so I’m just trying to be sure I’m not experiencing some weird reaction that could be potentially damaging to me at some point due to constant wear.

When I put on my AW, I almost instantly feel a sort of warm sensation (not gonna call it burning because it’s not that intense) that goes up my arm.

That sensation does pass, but, as the day wears on (usually later in the day/evening), I’ll feel a kind of weird, mild achiness in that arm.

It’s really difficult to describe. I’ve had every generation of AW. I actually had to return my series 2 stainless because the additional weight, coupled with the added thickness, seemed to be worse.

I switched to series 4 because it’s not quite as thick as my series 3, and I was hoping I’d get a little relief from this weirdness, but it’s definitely still a noticeable issue.

Whatever is going on, in the evenings when I’m getting that dull achiness up my arm, and I remove the watch, it instantly goes away. Since it has happened for a long time through multiple watches, I am pretty sure it’s not all in my head.

I use my watch a pretty good bit - enough to where I can’t imagine not having one - and I want to keep it and wear it; just wondering what the heck it could possibly be.
 
No idea what it is.

My mother can’t wear electronic watches because they stop charging or just die. I thought she was just making it up. She wasn’t.

I don’t think it’s impossible that some electronic devices just aren’t compatible with some people.

As weird as it sounds, it sounds like you’re just having some kind of reaction to it.
 
This is a legit question, and I REALLY like having the AW, so I’m just trying to be sure I’m not experiencing some weird reaction that could be potentially damaging to me at some point due to constant wear.

When I put on my AW, I almost instantly feel a sort of warm sensation (not gonna call it burning because it’s not that intense) that goes up my arm.

That sensation does pass, but, as the day wears on (usually later in the day/evening), I’ll feel a kind of weird, mild achiness in that arm.

It’s really difficult to describe. I’ve had every generation of AW. I actually had to return my series 2 stainless because the additional weight, coupled with the added thickness, seemed to be worse.

I switched to series 4 because it’s not quite as thick as my series 3, and I was hoping I’d get a little relief from this weirdness, but it’s definitely still a noticeable issue.

Whatever is going on, in the evenings when I’m getting that dull achiness up my arm, and I remove the watch, it instantly goes away. Since it has happened for a long time through multiple watches, I am pretty sure it’s not all in my head.

I use my watch a pretty good bit - enough to where I can’t imagine not having one - and I want to keep it and wear it; just wondering what the heck it could possibly be.

Some people simply can not tolerate the pressure in the wrist area. I wore a heavy gold Rolex for many years until it blew out the tendon sheath to my thumb and had to get it operated on. I can not wear anything on that wrist so now my Apple watch lives on my right wrist.
 
I have never thought about trying it on the other arm just to see what would happen. I have never worn a watch on my right arm, but I guess it’s worth a shot.
[doublepost=1539266394][/doublepost]
Some people simply can not tolerate the pressure in the wrist area. I wore a heavy gold Rolex for many years until it blew out the tendon sheath to my thumb and had to get it operated on. I can not wear anything on that wrist so now my Apple watch lives on my right wrist.

The other thing is that I have ALWAYS worn a watch, ever since I can remember. However, I’ve always worn a loose-fitting, more bracelet style watch. Wearing the AW is definitely different, and wearing it loose pretty much defeats the purpose.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newtons Apple
When I was a kid, I was fairly sure I was allergic to metal. I used to get a rash if I wore a metal watch. So I used to wear my watch over my shirtsleeves.

As an adult this has not been a problem.

I’ve never had any issue wearing the Apple Watch.
 
The band rubs me raw.

You make it too tight.
[doublepost=1539272410][/doublepost]
When I was a kid, I was fairly sure I was allergic to metal. I used to get a rash if I wore a metal watch. So I used to wear my watch over my shirtsleeves.

As an adult this has not been a problem.

I’ve never had any issue wearing the Apple Watch.

The underside is not metal though. However, I have had pain from time to time and I attribute it to pressure points.
 
You make it too tight.
[doublepost=1539272410][/doublepost]

The underside is not metal though. However, I have had pain from time to time and I attribute it to pressure points.

Even when it is loose it still irritates my wrist.
 
I hear of people having issues with heart rate sensors on wrist worn products. It would leave a little red rash and cause pain. any red marks where the Aw is at on your wrist?

Only thing i can think of is sometimes i get pain in my wrist or arm and it's because i have it to tight on my wrist. I find having the AW little lose so it's more laying on the wrist works just fine. I don't need to have it pushing into my wrist to work right.
 
This is a legit question, and I REALLY like having the AW, so I’m just trying to be sure I’m not experiencing some weird reaction that could be potentially damaging to me at some point due to constant wear.

When I put on my AW, I almost instantly feel a sort of warm sensation (not gonna call it burning because it’s not that intense) that goes up my arm.

That sensation does pass, but, as the day wears on (usually later in the day/evening), I’ll feel a kind of weird, mild achiness in that arm.

It’s really difficult to describe. I’ve had every generation of AW. I actually had to return my series 2 stainless because the additional weight, coupled with the added thickness, seemed to be worse.

I switched to series 4 because it’s not quite as thick as my series 3, and I was hoping I’d get a little relief from this weirdness, but it’s definitely still a noticeable issue.

Whatever is going on, in the evenings when I’m getting that dull achiness up my arm, and I remove the watch, it instantly goes away. Since it has happened for a long time through multiple watches, I am pretty sure it’s not all in my head.

I use my watch a pretty good bit - enough to where I can’t imagine not having one - and I want to keep it and wear it; just wondering what the heck it could possibly be.

Personally, I think you should consult with a medical physician if you have any type of pain or aches in your arm, regardless if its the Apple Watch. You Never know if it could be something else Related or not, its just a safe bet.
 
I used to have RSI (repetitive stress injury) and from time to time I can feel aches/pains from wearing a watch - probably because there is a bit of pressure to the tendons. I actually had a 40MM AW4 which felt totally fine, but recently switched to the 44 as I wanted the bigger screen size. The heavier weight and large size of the 44 has created more discomfort for me, so I intend to switch back to a 40MM.

I agree with 'Relentless Power' above - I would consult a physician to get it checked out!
 
I believe it may be the heart rate sensor. I haven't had any problems with either of the Apple Watches I've had (series 0, 3, and 4) but I felt the same sensation you've felt when I wore a Fitbit Alta. After two hours of wearing it, I had to return it. My arm felt instantly better as soon as I removed it from my wrist.
 
I was afraid this might happen. I got a burning sensation when I wore a fitbit alta. I promptly returned it, but I’m afraid the Apple Watch will do the same to me.
 
Now I’m not a doctor or any kind of science-y X-Files type person, but it might be something to do with the electrons/electricity in the watch interfering with your nervous system, maybe some kind of induction going on.

Or, it may be flaring up some mild arthritis you have, in the opposite way a copper bracelet defuses it.

These are just my theories, but if one or both turn out to be true then I want some kind of recognition
 
Well thanks everyone - I think. ;-p

I wore it a little looser yesterday and didn’t seem to have as much noticeable “pain.” I do think it’s just either where it pushes into my tendon/nerve or maybe the sensor, but it did seem a little better yesterday and I had it on for 8-10 hours.

Just gonna see if wearing it a bit more loosely makes it consistently better.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.