oh my aching hands

[ruger9]

ruger9-do you take Tylenol 3s? My Doc has me taking it if the arthritis in my left thumb gets really bad.

Doug

Tylenol-3 has codeine in it; codeine is a narcotic (now called an opioid). Its actually hard to get opioids from doctors here now, probably due to the fentanyl epidemic. They'll hand out SSRIs and benzodiazepines like candy (very bad!!! Benzos very dangerous!) tho. I have a little experience with various opioids because I've tried some for my chronic terrible headaches. They don't work for headaches, not mine anyway. (I discovered most of my bad headaches were actually caused by my active lyme, lyme in remission = most bad headaches have gone away.)

I have tried various arthritis ointments, they are no help to me.

You know what does help? Popping it. Always first thing in the morning. My left thumb will hurt, and it will also feel a little "stuck" or "tight", I'll pop it (pull straight out on it), it'll pop back at the base joint, and feel alot better instantly. It won't pop every day, but I'll bet 50% of days it'll pop first thing in the morning.

 

[Sybo]

My hands (knocks on every piece of wood available) are relatively arthritis "free", which is surprising if you look at my mangled fingers. I do have serious arthritis in my knee (which gets replaced this summer) and I find a lot of relief through THC/CBD ointments. These are topical, and effectively not psycho-active (not that there's anything wrong with that!), so appropriate for use any time. Much more effective than the usual OTC stuff, and no side effects like NSAID nausea

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

What is it they say? Getting old isn't for the timid?

That's now how Sergio says it, but I think the meaning is roughly the same.

 

[Daryl Jones]

I just had a cortisone shot in my fretting hand first finger. It would lock up and be extremely painful, completely limiting my playing. the shot alleviated it, but we’ll see for how long. (I’ve had a LOT of needles stuck in me in my lifetime, and honestly, it was one of the most unpleasent I’ve had the dis-pleasure to receive) good luck to you on your hand issue.

Sounds like you have "trigger finger" syndrome. My wife has had that a couple times. It's treatable Have you done the nerve conduction tests for carpal?

 

[watelessness]

oh, since we're showing how old we are by griping about our ailments , here's my new wrinkle: ever be drilling through studs and have the bit bind up such that the forward progress stops but the rotation does not, thereby rapidly rotating one's hand violently in a counter-clockwise motion, thus causing lingering pain for months? ggggrrrrrrr

 

[DougGuitar]

Tylenol-3 has codeine in it;

I have tried various arthritis ointments, they are no help to me.

Yes, I know all about T3 and codeine. But I only take it when I'm in extreme pain-like one pill every 2-3 weeks. I know enough not to gobble them like candy FFS.

Rub a 535 Arthritis is the only ointment that gives me some relief.

 

[ruger9]

Yes, I know all about T3 and codeine. But I only take it when I'm in extreme pain-like one pill every 2-3 weeks. I know enough not to gobble them like candy FFS.

Rub a 535 Arthritis is the only ointment that gives me some relief.

Didn't imply you don't know what you're doing; only saying it's hard to get (from docs) due to the opioid epidemic. From various injuries over the years I have a few T3 as well as several oxytocin's left, they sit in my top drawer "in case of emergency".

 

[DougGuitar]

T3 might be hard to get 4 you. Are you in the US? I'm in Canada and I have had the same Doc for 15 years or so, she trusts me not to abuse the T3.

 

[Daryl Jones]

Yes, I know all about T3 and codeine. But I only take it when I'm in extreme pain-like one pill every 2-3 weeks. I know enough not to gobble them like candy FFS.

Rub a 535 Arthritis is the only ointment that gives me some relief.

I will take arthrotec (prescription) if the pain is really bad, but Aleve usually helps. I do use topical products regularly, otherwise I can't sleep from the aches and chronic pain in my left ankle, that's from an old serious injury accident. Icy Hot works, Myoflex, A535, even tiger balm helps. My knees are shot full of it too, too many years between the pipes playing hockey and torn ligaments/cartilage. I have the most accurate human barometer for predicting weather, typically the "bad" weather (storms especially) associated with major weather systems; summer weather lows, and winter arctic highs. Unlike the broadcast meteorologists, my predictions are never wrong. Regular workouts are a big part of me staying mobile and it does lessen the pain unless I skip too many days on the routine. Range of motion exercise is critical for me.

 

[DougGuitar]

I will take arthrotec (prescription) if the pain is really bad, but Aleve usually helps. I do use topical products regularly, otherwise I can't sleep from the aches and chronic pain in my left ankle, that's from an old serious injury accident. Icy Hot works, Myoflex, A535, even tiger balm helps. My knees are shot full of it too, too many years between the pipes playing hockey and torn ligaments/cartilage. I have the most accurate human barometer for predicting weather, typically the "bad" weather (storms especially) associated with major weather systems; summer weather lows, and winter arctic highs. Unlike the broadcast meteorologists, my predictions are never wrong. Regular workouts are a big part of me staying mobile and it does lessen the pain unless I skip too many days on the routine. Range of motion exercise is critical for me.

Never heard of Arthrotec-I have an appointment with the Doc on Tuesday-I'll ask her about it. Thanks. I tried Aleve-it was one of those that did absolutely nothing. You mention your sports injuries. My younger brother was a running fanatic, ran 8-10 miles every day since he was 15yo. When he turned 50 his knees started giving him real grief. Now he walks with a cane is looking into knee operations.

 

[Daryl Jones]

Never heard of Arthrotec-I have an appointment with the Doc on Tuesday-I'll ask her about it. Thanks. I tried Aleve-it was one of those that did absolutely nothing. You mention your sports injuries. My younger brother was a running fanatic, ran 8-10 miles every day since he was 15yo. When he turned 50 his knees started giving him real grief. Now he walks with a cane is looking into knee operations.

The three weakest joints in the human body are knees, ankles and wrists. Also the ones we typically put the most devastating pressures on. Running is Hell on knees and ankles over a long period of time. Constant pounding of our full body weight coming down on one specific area/joint then transferring it to the one next up the line. Sooner or later something has to give.
Pretty sure your doc will know of arthrotec, it's a common arthritic pain and inflamation med, at least here in Canada. If my wife (clinical pharmacist) was home I could give you the clinical name of it, trade names often differ between Canada and the US but that one is so common it should be easy to find. Generically it's a combination of diclofenac antiinflamatory and misoprostol stomach lining protectant so it won't eat your guts like many other pain reducing meds will.

 

[DougGuitar]

The three weakest joints in the human body are knees, ankles and wrists. Also the ones we typically put the most devastating pressures on. Running is Hell on knees and ankles over a long period of time. Constant pounding of our full body weight coming down on one specific area/joint then transferring it to the one next up the line. Sooner or later something has to give.
Pretty sure your doc will know of arthrotec, it's a common arthritic pain and inflamation med, at least here in Canada. If my wife (clinical pharmacist) was home I could give you the clinical name of it, trade names often differ between Canada and the US but that one is so common it should be easy to find. Generically it's a combination of diclofenac antiinflamatory and misoprostol stomach lining protectant so it won't eat your guts like many other pain reducing meds will.

I'm in Canada as well.

 

[ruger9]

T3 might be hard to get 4 you. Are you in the US? I'm in Canada and I have had the same Doc for 15 years or so, she trusts me not to abuse the T3.

Yes US. I've been with my doc 20 years now... but I don't go often (until recently, at 52 I seemed to start to fall apart!!). But I'm not a pill (drugs, either prescription or illegal) popper, hate having prescriptions, I'm not the type to abuse... I don't even get annual check-ups as punctually as I should. I come from a "eat healthy, exercise, and don't go to the doc unless something is wrong" school.

 

[Daryl Jones]

I'm in Canada as well.

Sorry man, missed that part. Your doctor will know of it for sure. I just try not to take it unless I absolutely can't stand the pain.
After my bike crash 6 years ago they had me on dilaudid in the hospital and sent me home with a 'scrip for it. And I definitely needed something for pain with all the broken bones I had. Fortunately I weaned myself off it after a week being home and back at work, that s**t is way too easy to get hooked on. I didn't even notice the way it was affecting me until I quit the damn stuff. Only two weeks of taking it and I never realized how high I actually was. At least my wife wouldn't allow me to drive given her knowledge of drug interactions; not that I was supposed to be driving with my arm in a sling anyway. It's no wonder we have an opioid crisis across the land! Took about 3 days to clear my head from the fuzziness, was a real eye opener and that was only two weeks!

 

[Moondog Wily]

Mmmmm, Dilaudid! I have a small stash leftover from a surgery a couple of years ago. Probably faded in potency some, but I took one a few weeks ago when I injured my foot and it worked like a charm! But yes, be careful, be very careful with hydromorphone hydrochloride, a hydrogenated ketone of morphine (aka Dilaudid) ;~))

 

[Tedder]

Thanks to the OP for this thread. I didn't realize how many players are dealing with this stuff. I have arthritis in my left pinky due to an injury as a very young adult that also left it crooked. I've never been able to pull off any riffs that stretch 5-6 frets because of it, and even songs like "Under the Bridge"... that intro and my pinky do not get along.

Lately I've also been having pain in my left thumb at the very first joint where it's connected to the hand. Doesn't hurt to play guitar, but other things hurt it all the time. Just about time to go to physical therapy to see what needs to be done. I just got done with a round of therapy because I've been teaching myself how to build guitars and the sanding and sanding and sanding caused some issues with my right elbow/forearm.


Getting older sucks! I only forget about the pain when I'm shaking my fist and yelling at the neighborhood kids. lol

 

[alantig]

Well, round two. Woke up a few weeks ago and felt a little pop in the knuckle in my right ring finger. Caught me so much by surprise that I didn't even realize what had happened for a minute or two. Hasn't been every day, but it's often enough that it was undeniable. Fortunately, this time around, I'm aware of what I'm dealing with, so this week it was off to the hand specialist. Even though it has only popped first thing in the morning, so not at the appointment (of course), he confirmed it, and said, "How aggressive do you want me to be?" Well, my hope was that we caught it early enough that I won't need surgery, so we did the cortisone shot again. Hoping for a different outcome that last time (two shots, still needed surgery). Went out, made the follow-up appointment, and I noticed that my finger was getting numb (didn't happen the other time). Started to walk out, decided I'd better check, so I went to the window and said, "Can I ask you something?" She said, "Finger's numb?" I said, "Yes." She said, "That means he hit the spot. It's normal." Was gone a few hours later.

Woke up yesterday, finger popped, blood sugar much higher than usual (side effect of the shot). Reminded myself it was less than 24 hours, don't be a moron. Today? No pop. We'll see how this goes.

 

[Moondog Wily]

I pray that said finger weasels will not prevent you from using your middle finger when necessary! That hand gesture can sometimes speak a thousand words ;~))

 

[Bogner]

When I Am Hurting I Use DMSO, Hydrogen Peroxide And My Thera-Gun. Massage And Stretching Helps A Great Deal As Well For Me. I Try To Stay Away From Anything That Could Cause Inflammation In My Body As Best As I Can And Maintain As High Of A PH Level As I Possibly Can Along With Some Prayers To The Good Lord For Help. So Far So Good For Me.

 

[DougGuitar]

I always figure that if the arthritis in my left hand gets too bad, I can always play slide guitar. Look out Duane Allman!

Doug