Thanks for all of the help. I actually found a set of my old "anti-vibration" gloves from work with some huge wrist bands so I will try them on Friday. Hopefully that will help out with the wrists.

I did try the RDLs and was quite comfortable with them. I dropped some weight (compared to the regular dead lift) so that I can get accustomed to them. I will probably stick with these for awhile. Maybe when my back gets stronger and my wrist pain gets in check I will try some other variations.

I didn't ever have any of the back pain from dead lifts, just the back extensions. I guess I just mentioned that in case someone might suggest them. Quite possibly from poor form, maybe work related, I don't know. The pain was intermittent though. It didn't get bad everytime I did them and maybe I was too ignorant to notice the signs while doing them. I am new at this and need to pay more attention to what my body is telling me.