Arthritis...@#%^#$%^!!

[GADonis]

I have a pinched nerve in my neck that causes my ring finger and pinky to go numb on my left hand. It was caused by guitar straps. I went to a physical therapist several years ago and they showed me some stretches to help out. I also switched to a DARE guitar strap which has straps over both shoulders to spread the weight out. I still occasionally using a normal strap and I do okay for a little bit but extended use of a strap will start to aggravate the pinched nerve. If I have to use a regular strap I normally just put it over my right shoulder. This is a little awkward as I have to somewhat "pull" the guitar to the left to keep the strap from sliding off my shoulder, but that's a lot more manageable than numb fingers.

Also recently I had some pain in my left wrist. It was on the side and the top at the joint on the pinky side of my hand. Went to a doctor and they said it was likely tendinitis. X-rays had no indications. I got a shot, some oral anti-inflammatory pills and an anti-inflammatory cream. I took about 8 weeks but it's about 99% better now. I had to stop using the cream, Pinnsaid, because it was causing skin irritation which is a common issue with it. But it seemed to be really helping. On my follow up the doctor recommended an over the counter gel called Voltaren. Same active ingredient as the Pennsaid but different "delivery" gel. I've been using it with no skin issues. I'd say my wrist is back to normal but I do get an occasional twinge so I am continuing to use the Voltaren.

Not sure what caused the tendinitis but I think it has to do with the way I sleep. I tend to curl my hand under me when I'm on my side or stomach. I'm trying to retrain myself to not do that.

 

[alantig]

I’m dealing with cubital tunnel myself. The nerve in my elbow, the one that hurts when you hit your funny bone, is impinged. It makes my pinky and ring finger along with my palm below them numb. It’s especially noticeable when my elbows are bent. Twenty years as a mechanic has just worn them out. Doctor wants to do surgery but not having disability through work has me holding off for now. Fear of other effects of surgery is not helping either. Anyone have experience with cubital tunnel?

This sounds closer to what I've had at times than what @GADonis described. When it happens, I usually feel it at night - I wake up, those two fingers are numb, I move my arm around, and all is well.

I'm pleased you got a Happy Ending Alan

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I’ve been gearing up to call my hand doctor, but we also go for massages every three weeks.

hmmm, somehow I knew you'd be the one to take this approach...

She did some focused work and manipulation, and I felt alright that night.

hey, my finger is working!

I want too, but just can't... but just know I'm thinking it. I'm turning blue now from holding my breath...

It was good again today, even though I didn’t do the usual stuff.

but I’m happy for now.

 

[bodia]

hmmm, somehow I knew you'd be the one to take this approach...

I want too, but just can't... but just know I'm thinking it. I'm turning blue now from holding my breath...

Hearty laugh!

 

[alantig]

I want too, but just can't... but just know I'm thinking it. I'm turning blue now from holding my breath...

 

[dogrocketp]

I’m dealing with cubital tunnel myself. The nerve in my elbow, the one that hurts when you hit your funny bone, is impinged. It makes my pinky and ring finger along with my palm below them numb. It’s especially noticeable when my elbows are bent. Twenty years as a mechanic has just worn them out. Doctor wants to do surgery but not having disability through work has me holding off for now. Fear of other effects of surgery is not helping either. Anyone have experience with cubital tunnel?[

I’m dealing with cubital tunnel myself. The nerve in my elbow, the one that hurts when you hit your funny bone, is impinged. It makes my pinky and ring finger along with my palm below them numb. It’s especially noticeable when my elbows are bent. Twenty years as a mechanic has just worn them out. Doctor wants to do surgery but not having disability through work has me holding off for now. Fear of other effects of surgery is not helping either. Anyone have experience with cubital tunnel?

That was surgery #3 for me courtesy of Dr. Wittstadt. I get up and do a half an hour of hand therapy exercises with therapy putty every morning. No excuses, and I never miss a day. With a good surgeon, you'll be fine.

 

[CandidPicker]

Lord have mercy.

Last Friday, I blew out our gutters of leaves and debris. Nasty stuff. Then, Saturday evening, did some lifting exercises for my PT regimen.

Doncha know that Sunday morning, I awoke, my left shoulder had suffered a strain and was in exquisite pain.

Comic friends said to put a frozen bag of peas on the injury, then apply moist heat.

I said, I'd wished to use preventive treatment, not symptomatic. Crisis averted.

The key is that the shoulder is healing. Thank you Lord.

 

[Naquat]

I'm not a healthcare pro but over the years I've done a lot of reading on health and fitness. Here are some things you can research and talk to your doctor or healthcare pro IF they are educated in nutrition, which most Dr.'s aren't.
Inflammation can cause a LOT of issues as can a sedentary lifestyle. If you are diagnosed with arthritis I would suggest you get a video by Gary Null Phd. titled "Reverse Arthritis and Pain Naturally". You'd be surprised how "Nightshade" veggies consumed too often can effect your system and cause inflammation. Nightshades are Tomatoes, Eggplant, Potatoes, and a lot of root type veggies. Sugar and Sodium can also cause inflammation issues if consumption is high. Stiffness can also be caused by calcium oxalate which builds up in some people. For those effected by oxalates Spinach can cause huge issues as can most nuts. Etc. So, again, I'd go to a Dr. or perhaps a Nutritionist who walks the talk.

 

[Huggy Love]

Bill, I'll chime in because I actually have both, Arthritis, Carpal, plus a bit of tendonitis. It's tough, when you can't do what you want to, even more when it's a passion like making music which is habitual in practice, and somewhat static in hand & arm positioning. I'll just share a few things I've learned along the way in dealing with the "getting old" problem, and trying to keep going

- Doctors & medical help is only going to go so far, our bodies aren't meant to do repetitious movements for decades, it's the reality of getting older. If you have a history of arthritis in you family that's another powerful indicator that you have to take it seriously for what it is. My YaYa came from the old country and was a seamstress, with no electric shears she cut cloth with those big manual shears, by the time she was in her 70's she had little use of her right hand. Us Greeks have a high tendency for arthritis. All I'm saying is medics help but aren't the magic ticket, it's something simply to manage.

- To keep on playing I've had to adapt what I do, this from paying attention to what type of playing causes pain, and what is a strain to do wether it's hurts or not. For me, playing mostly rhythm, barre chords, playing very technical that requires me to look down at the neck a lot, fingerstyle, all are challenges or are on the way out of my repertoire. TBH playing Jazz & Blues licks, writing, and chords that are easier to place (i.e. less stretch or strain), are what I work with now, if you mainly play things that are a strain you need to look at that. It's an evolution, and it can feel limiting at times, but the bottom line is you work with what you got, while you still got it.

- Fire & Ice - Heat and cold have their purpose, and both have their benefits. Heat loosens muscles that get tight from strain, pain, & overwork, the tight muscles which pulls already compromised joints tighter causing pain and further damage. I use heating pads for my back & neck because I don't type or spend a lot of time at the computer anymore so I'm not doing more damage to the joints, I'm just dealing with tight muscles. On the other hand, I do have it in one of my feet, not something I can avoid if I want to keep walking, that I have to ice pack to bring down the swelling. Determining what type of pain is the key to doing the best for your situation, that's hard, and your Dr helps in that, but you, in time will be able to see that better than anyone. If your hand & arm muscles are really tight when this happens it's an indicator of which it might be. At any rate hand & arm massages go a long way.

- Sometimes taking a break is a necessity. I know, it hampers musical growth, get's you out of practice, and sometimes you just gotta play every day to feel right about the world, but I've had to on many occasions. If it means I can keep playing, I'll take days or even a week off.

- If the subject of medication comes up with your Dr, think about it carefully. Arthritis drugs have a lot of complications and don't have a reputation of being overly effective. I've also witnessed the effects of long term use of prescriptions first hand and the less you put in yourself the better off you're gonna be.

- Stretching, heat/cold therapy and an effort to recognize what is within my capabilities is the only way I've been able to keep going.

That said, I know the day is coming for me sooner or later, where the axe will collect dust in the corner. Only to be picked up once in a while and to be reminded that I used to do things I can't anymore. I've already made it a point to retire from writing Fusion tunes, my playing isn't up to snuff and you have to be a beast to make that kind of music interesting enough.

After this last Fusion song I'm working on, it's gong to be relaxed Jazz chops, songwriting, and the odd old song to relearn & enjoy.
An evolution, and an existence that I can accept, that keeps me playing.

Good luck with this, best wishes.

 

[Casi1]

I hope you get better soon. I have hand / finger numbness due to a pinched cervical nerve that runs through my shoulder, brachial plexus, and the scalene muscles in my neck. The nerve goes down the outside of the shoulder into back of hand and into the fingers. I’ve learned that I aggravate it in my sleep. Whenever I sleep on my side or with an arm over my head, I wake up with a numb hand. Stretching the scalenes before bed helps, and staying out of the positions that aggravate it helps the most. An ice pack on my collar bone also helps whenever it’s aggravated...

 

[bodia]

I hope you get better soon. I have hand / finger numbness due to a pinched cervical nerve that runs through my shoulder, brachial plexus, and the scalene muscles in my neck. The nerve goes down the outside of the shoulder into back of hand and into the fingers. I’ve learned that I aggravate it in my sleep. Whenever I sleep on my side or with an arm over my head, I wake up with a numb hand. Stretching the scalenes before bed helps, and staying out of the positions that aggravate it helps the most. An ice pack on my collar bone also helps whenever it’s aggravated...

I feel that.....twins?

 

[Bill SAS 513]

- If the subject of medication comes up with your Dr, think about it carefully. Arthritis drugs have a lot of complications and don't have a reputation of being overly effective. I've also witnessed the effects of long term use of prescriptions first hand and the less you put in yourself the better off you're gonna be.


Good luck with this, best wishes.

thanks, Huggy...Yup...Us Greeks ...is right.
I'm on BP, and Cholesterol meds now, so I'm doing everything I can to NOT add another med.
thanks for the thoughts.
Bill.

 

[alantig]

thanks, Huggy...Yup...Us Greeks ...is right.
I'm on BP, and Cholesterol meds now, so I'm doing everything I can to NOT add another med.
thanks for the thoughts.
Bill.

I'll see your BP and cholesterol meds and raise you a diabetic med, eye drops, and a daily decongestant. Fortunately, I got to drop one pill recently, so there is that.

I saw my PCP last week, and he gave the hand a quick once-over. Nothing major that he detected, so he said keep an eye on it and let them know if there are any sudden, major changes. Doesn't eliminate the idea of seeing the hand specialist, but it seems a lot less imminent now than it did two weeks ago.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Well, Hell, Alan...I'll let you win this one.
Just finished my steroid pack, (to keep swelling down around the wrist??) Got my X-rays taken...waiting to chat with the hand doc.
But the good news, I'm feeling pretty buff right now!!!!

 

[Ryan Tapley]

I saw mention of this topic in another thread, and wanted to ask all you'z guys/gals...
It appears my left hand is starting to ache at the wrist (burning sensation), and on top of my hand.
(just an aching pain behind my ring finger and pinky)
Have any of you sought out treatment, or tried other ways to deal with it??

(I know, I know, I should have "Asked Bodia??")

Hey. I had the same problem a number of years ago after using really heavy strings and just over doing it.

I found wrapping my wrist with an ace bandage when I wasn't playing seemed to help a lot by keeping it straight and limiting the movement throughout the day. The compression also helped the pain begin to go away. I took about 6 months off and almost didnt touch the guitar. I think you have to let everything really heal up or it will get worse.
Once it got better I switched to 8 gauge strings and havent had any problems.
Also make sure there is no extra tension in your hands when you start playing again, use a really light touch and it should get better.

Forcing yourself to step away from it for a while will be the hardest part. But it's easy to get everything back in the end.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Ryan...That's what I had heard, and I was afraid of that...but Thank you.

 

[Ryan Tapley]

Ryan...That's what I had heard, and I was afraid of that...but Thank you.

No problem bud. It does get better. Hang in there.