Arthritis!

has anyone else here had to manage this? Do

Same thumb problems on left hand. I work through it most days....weather just about does me in more than working though. Icy/Hot helps me some days and Advil type meds too. You might try one of those carpal tunnel gloves to see if it might help on really bad days.

Hope you get better....there's not a lot on TV these days!

Jill

I have occasional twinges, but considering the state of my knee, I have a bad feeling about where my thumbs are going.

My Mom is a rabid knitter and painter (mostly oils). She had BOTH thumbs replaced a year ago and is VERY happy with the results. She had about 2 months of physical therapy afterwards, was very good about it too, and says her thumbs feel better than ever now. She's sorry she let the doc make her wait as long as he did. (I know THAT feeling.)

KarenS

I have it in my spine and shoulder, which limited my time sitting up at a table or desk. Now the joints in my hands are starting to bother me from time to time, where it hurts to hold a cup or glass or do a lot of work with pliers. My wire, chain and beads have been sitting for a couple weeks untouched, but i need to get back to it. On a day the pain is worse, i can work on "planning" something or online shopping for some new beads or findings or reading about a new technique...and when i'm feeling a bit better i can actually do some of it. Even if it takes days/weeks to finish a simple piece, there's still the thrill of having made it. I've learned to adjust my life that way, just about everything (housework, social, family, hobbies, etc) is taken in smaller doses and my goals are smaller, a chunk at a time, and somewhat unpredictable. What i can't do today i'll try tomorrow, but i'll lie there in bed planning it before i go to sleep.

Sometimes i get out my beads, especially the crystals, and just enjoy looking at them and holding them in my hand and watching them *sparkle*. It gives me a lift, and inspires ideas that i may or may not get around to *this* month. :-)

flaxseed oil and MSM (methylsufanilmethane , or dietary sulfur) both reduce inflammation and help strenghthen joint mobility. You can do the msm orally and also soak in water with it in it. (sulfur hot springs!) Also glucosomine and chrondroitin are good for joint issues. I stick with the first too, they make a huge difference for me.

I developed this problem a couple of years ago, both hands. I just take an anti-inflammatory and keep on workin'. My orthopedist told me to take ibuprofen and drink lots of water, and to stay active. It'll hurt more on cold, damp days, but overall, it's not too bad.

Thanks for all the replies. I have an appointment with a specialist at the end of this month. I'm anxious to discuss long-term management since I've only got one fully-functional hand (the one with the arthritis) and walk with a cane (using that same hand), plus I'd like to be able to write/drive/craft/keyboard/etc for a few more decades. It isn't bad now, but I don't want it to become unusable if I can prevent that. The NSAID that I'm on now (diclofenac) does seem to be helping. I noticed that I can write more comfortably today. And I can read it later. :-)

Gina

Gina Bull Network Systems Information Technology and Communications University of Virginia

I hear you. It's in my spine (has been for 19 years), my big toes (no more sexy shoes), and other places. I get it from my dad, and from spinal surgery, but so what? If it's there, it's there, and who cares how it got there? ~BORING~ I don't bead at ALL between mid-November and May. Seriously. I *shop*! (That will end soon. No more shopping for me. But I'd rather have the HOUSE, actually.)

Glucosam> I haven't been beading for a while because I thought I had a

I second Sooz's suggestions, but add that watch how often you take vicodin as sometimes repeated use can give you shaky hands, not good for beading, or ringing in the ears. And booze and sugar are both nasty inflammatory agents--alcohol and sugar make everything swell up and hurt more than they did before, and though the immediate lull can be enjoyable, the payment you make for several days after is not. I take my MSM and flaxseed oil DAILY...and havent had to refill the vicodin scrip in over a year.

I didnt mean to question YOUR usage, Soozala--or ANYBODY's, in that untreated chronic pain is way, WAY worse (and worse for you) than the the shakes or ear noise. When I need it, I sure am glad to have my vicodin. As you say it sure beats crying on the floor, and thats where it gets to sometimes otherwise. Sarajane

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"The HOUSE"? Have you found a house you want? How exciting!!!!!!!!!! :-D

Tina

"Dr. Sooz" wrote ~ I don't bead at ALL between mid-November

no idea whether mine is arthtris, carpal tunnel, or what.

It started years and years ago when my fingers were swollen in the morning. At some point I took up sleeping with wrist splints. It doesn't make it go away but it helps. I've been taking glucosamine and an aspirin a day for a while, and it helps. there are times when I have to stop taking the aspirin, and for the past week or two my left index finger (I'm left handed) hurt like I'd hit it with a hammer, but after a week of aspirin (one/day, as an anti-inflammatory, not as a painkiller) it went back to only being numb on one side (which is how this particular episode started), and now a few days later it's back to whatever Maren calls normal (i.e. never mind the typos. I got to see the optometrist too when I get back home - another one of the things I didn't get around to before leaving.)

Maren (flaxseed oil? how do you use that?)

Sarajane Helm wrote:

Put a tablespoonfull in a smoothie, the oil makes it so creamy tasting its like a milkshake) or mix it in your yogurt (I have mine every morning) or with cottage cheese or use it with salad dressing or put it on your food at serving (dont cook it). One to two times a day for inflamation relief works for me, once a day prevents it for me....and man, is it nice not to hurt all the time. I cant take any aspirins or NSAIDs as I'm allergic to all of them...so for me, its vital NOT to need them.