Pardon my typing.

I expect this (and subsequent posts) to be full of errors because I'm typing in bilateral heavy-duty wrist immobilization braces. My post-kayak pain never went away - in fact it worsened. I started losing mobility, the swelling was horrific, and moving my wrists resulted in a loud creaking!
Amazingly, the stars aligned for me to see a qualified doctor: I had a pharmacist in training who could cover my store, and a hand surgeon just so happened to have clinic - and have an opening - this morning at the hospital where I work!
He quickly diagnosed my with severe intersection syndrome - tendon rubbing against muscle. Since I kept using the affected tendons, they didn't heal, and I narrowly avoided tendon rupture! The doctor is pretty confident I can avoid surgery by resting the tendons: so braces stay on 24 hours a day for a week, then I can begin weaning off over the next week. I'm also starting steroids to stop the really out-of-control swelling. I'm anti-steroid, but I have no choice: my wrists are as big as my ankles right now.

Tomorrow I'll see if I can actually work this way (I can't open bottles or type with any speed ...) and I may actually have to take short term disability.
Insane.
Can't believe it.
So glad I caught it though!
And beware the kayak, people. It's a dangerous toy.