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Subject: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 27 Jun 09 - 01:42 PM SOB! is back! About ten years ago, I shovelled wet snow for nearly two hours. Had a few tall cold ones and grabbed the hran and drummed up a storm. Within an hour, a ganglion about half the size of a pingpong ball showed up on my wrist on the major thumb tendon just forward of the wrist joint. It was close enough to the vein to restrict blood flow. Twenty minutes on hran or guitar was max. I was soooo pissed off. Doc said he could operate, but they often come back in about six months OR cortisone shots. I debited both ideas. So, I lived with it and administered alcohol to lengthen my playing time, until it got worse. I gave up trying. Then, one day about 6 months later, I was stripping siding and wall sheathing off my house and installing new. I was swinging an Estwing framing hammer and all of a sudden I noticed the ganglion was gone! I was ecstatic! I waited about a month. Then, I played a session at a pub downtown. WHAT A JOY! Next morning, not so much fun. I repeated "the hammer cure" rebuilding my Bro's deck and played very little after that. Since then, I just pick up the hran every now and then and beat out a short tune when I feel moved by the music on the juke box. Guitar is useless due to the arthritis in both hands (over 6 years now) and the ganglion. Now, even though I haven't done anything stressful to my wrist for a long while, the miserable f***ing thing is back. Started about three weeks ago and it just keeps getting bigger. This very moment, it's the size of a pea. This AM, upon waking, it was three times that size, which is the way it has been for a week. Anyone got any advice? |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: s&r Date: 27 Jun 09 - 01:48 PM Old wive's remedy is hit it with the family Bible Stu |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: maeve Date: 27 Jun 09 - 01:55 PM Basic explanation of Ganglion Cysts and some treatments Note the icing and splint methods- maybe helpful for you, gnu? I'll look further when I can. maeve |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: maeve Date: 27 Jun 09 - 02:07 PM "* Immobilization: Ganglion cysts can increase in size and cause more pain because of hand movement. You may choose to wait for the cyst to decrease in size while wearing a wrist splint or brace to immobilize the area. The splint helps your hand to rest, which may reduce the size of the cyst. * Aspiration: This procedure involves draining the fluid from the cyst. The doctor applies a local anesthetic above the cyst, then punctures it with a needle. He then uses a syringe to drain the fluid from the base of the cyst. The procedure is quite simple and can be done in the doctor's office. Research shows that up to 74 percent of patients are cured after an aspiration procedure. Cysts, however, may recur after some time. In fact, the recurrence rate for aspiration can be as high as 80 percent. You can have the procedure repeated if the cyst recurs. Studies show that having the fluid drawn out three times increases the possibility of being cured to 85 percent with a cyst on the back of the hand." ********** That last sentence caught my eye. ********************* Found here: m |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: SINSULL Date: 27 Jun 09 - 02:08 PM Doesn't seem there is much you can do, gnu. Having it removed may make your playing a little easier. But it may also be temporary. I have a very small one on my left wrist which occasionally gets a bit bigger but never has caused pain or problems. Start with ice and be kinder to your body. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: bobad Date: 27 Jun 09 - 02:09 PM Go for the drain and cortisone shot. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Penny S. Date: 27 Jun 09 - 04:53 PM I had one at the base of my thumb which appeared after some twisting movement. Didn't go to the doctor because I thought I was about to move, and thought it needed longer with the same doctor than I had. I used various wrist supports, and ended up with a leather one that had belonged to my Dad - posspibly his before him! After a while, it just went away. REading this has been concerning. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 27 Jun 09 - 05:08 PM I appreciate the comments and the effort. Thanks. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Paul Burke Date: 27 Jun 09 - 06:31 PM Madam had one operated on a few years ago. Cleared it up, no problem since. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: catspaw49 Date: 27 Jun 09 - 07:30 PM Get a Bassett Hound. About 25 years back when we first met, Karen had a Bassett. Karen is a histotech which involves a lot of reptitive movements and makes for problems with both ganglion cysts and carpal tunnel. She had a nasty ganglion cyst come up on her wrist and while we were considering whether to go to the Doc or slam a book on it, she hooked up Rosie Bassett to go for a walk. Bassetts are incredibly strong. Coming down the last two steps Rosie lunged forward and jerked Karen right to the ground. A bit skinned up but the plus side was the ganglion was almost immediately gone, never to return. So go get a Bassett. Other dogs might work but I hate to see you chance it! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Beer Date: 27 Jun 09 - 07:48 PM No Bible Gnu? Invite a friend over. Have a number of pints (quarts if you can still get them.)and get your buddy to use a hammer. It will only hurt for a bit then you can have another pint. Had one removed about 30 years ago. It was the size of a large grape. Located right where the wrist drops. Man did it hurt especially when trying to do guitar chords. The doc. started from the top then about half way through the wrist said; "I guess I should have started from the other side". I was lucky in that it has not come back. Knock on wood. Good luck Gnu. Beer (adrien) |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Backwoodsman Date: 28 Jun 09 - 02:56 AM I had one on the wrist (behave!) when I was in my teens. My mate's (Scottish and old-fashioned) mum whacked it with a book and it just disappeared. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Backwoodsman Date: 28 Jun 09 - 03:17 AM I also had a wart on a finger, which she 'bought' from me - paid me tuppence and it went too. Spooky! Woooooooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-oooooooooo! |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Amergin Date: 28 Jun 09 - 03:47 AM have one on my wrist...that i have had since I was 13....some days it hurts...some days it doesn't and some days it seems larger than other times....i just deal with it.... |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: VirginiaTam Date: 28 Jun 09 - 04:51 AM I feel for you Gnu. I recently had one on my left wrist (no bigger than pea size). Bloody rheumatologist, gave me cortizone injection which wasn't painful in itself but the attending vigorous 5 minute massage (he said so I didn't get a bleached patch of skin) did the real damage. The cyst got steadily bigger, throbbed like a tooth ache (sometimes till I was in tears and it takes a lot of physical pain to get the eyeball juice going) grew steadily bigger for 2+ years. I am convinced that massage did the real damage. Ice was wonderful. I hated the splint though, because the RA makes my hands curls fingertips down toward wrist. So my body was constantly fighting the splint. I am lucky though, because the ganglion just went away and so did about 90% of the pain. Don't know why. Just disappeared and now I can play (well at least attempt to) guitar again. May have something to do with the my RA factors (inflammation) have fallen low. Keeping fingers crossed for a long remission. I had a (non painful) ganglion when I was teen, on the back of my hand. Army doc wouldn't do anything about it. A school mate, put my palm flat down on cafeteria table, placed an algebra text book on the back of my hand and gave it a great thwack like a hammer with her fist. Went away instantly. Don't remember any pain. Best of luck and I hope it just fades away as mine did, leaving little or no residual pain. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Tug the Cox Date: 28 Jun 09 - 06:32 AM I posted this yesterday, but it disappeared. The whack with a heavy book may be an old wive's remedy, it is not a tale. Doctors use this, and I once had to use it a couple of times on my wife's ganglion which then didn't return. A heavy blow ( don't hold back) dissipates the material, which is then naturally disposed of by the body. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge Date: 28 Jun 09 - 04:23 PM I `ad that Dave Watts from "Elsie`s Band" in my cab the other day. `is face was all screwed up in pain and `is `and was puffy, the size of a leg of pork. `e said in strained tones, " `ere Jim, take me to Victoria please. I gotta get down to Cowden sharpish, We got Chris Wood tonight." I said, "Whatsa matter with your mitt then?" `e said, "Gawd luvvus. I just been treated, private like, for a ganglion. The old quack said `e was going to hit it with a serious volume. I thought he meant the Bible. Oh no, `e!s done it with the complete works of Shakespeare!!" Whaddam I like?? |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Rapparee Date: 28 Jun 09 - 05:25 PM Had one on the base of my left thumb for years; eventually it went away. Had another at the base of the finger between my right pinkie and the Magic Middle; had it removed by a surgeon -- it hasn't come back. Right after we moved into the house one popped up at the base of the little finger on my left hand. I told the doc, he said to let him know when I wanted it fixed. One day I was working on a steel pipe that pokes out of the back yard for about six feet and I whacked the cement base with a sledge hammer. Damned near passed out from the pain, but the cyst went away. Iffen I wuz you, and I'm sure as hell glad I ain't, I'd go to the doc and have it drained. Same thing if it came again. This sucker is SERIOUSLY interfering with your life. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 28 Jun 09 - 05:26 PM Hahahahahahaaa!!!!! That's near good a cure eh! Thanks. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Rapparee Date: 28 Jun 09 - 05:27 PM Oh, yeah -- I decided to leave the steel pipe. It's an excellent objet d'art representing Post-Modern Deconstructionism. At least until I can figger out how to get it outa there -- my wife wants ALL of it out, including the concrete, but has ruled out explosives. I've got some ideas for this winter, using the freeze-thaw cycle of water. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 28 Jun 09 - 05:50 PM Mine came and went in '72, never to be seen again. (NO hammer cure!) The arthritis the doctor told me I have (1990) is never heard from either, thanks mainly I believe, to a low acid diet. Keep diet and move freely; break it and hobble like a 50 year old! NO brainer, for me. Of course, the pneumonia which caused the x-ray that found the arthritis was not much of a problem either. But dust put me in bed for 3 weeks, wishing I would just die and be over it. My Achilles heal! Do we each have one? |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Ebbie Date: 28 Jun 09 - 10:24 PM I had developed a large one on the side of my foot (from spending all day in a snow boot that rubbed my foot). One day I hauled out one of those B I G dictionaries, laid my foot on its side on a chair bottom and hoisted the tome. First I gave it a tentative tap- just to make sure my aim was good - and then let loose. Didn't really hurt and the cyst started draining immediately. Within two or so days it was completely gone. Has never come back- that was about 10 years ago. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: mrdux Date: 28 Jun 09 - 11:44 PM i had one about the size of a walnut in my right wrist surgically removed. that was in 1985. the first couple days post-op were really painful. it took me about three weeks to regain some mobility, and i was pretty much back to what passes for normal in about six weeks. except for a -- still -- slightly numb patch on the back of my hand, i haven't had any recurrence or other problem since. good luck. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Rapparee Date: 29 Jun 09 - 08:19 AM As I see it, the problem with diy on the wrist or hand is the possibility of permanent damage. Screwing up the ligament that controls grasping a glass or bottle, for example, could really louse up your drinking. Worse, it could damage a nerve plexus and THAT could really screw things up. Go see a hand and wrist doctor (not a general surgeon). |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 29 Jun 09 - 09:45 AM Well said, Rapaire. The hand is a complex and precious thing. See an expert. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Peace Date: 29 Jun 09 - 06:35 PM "I was swinging an Estwing framing hammer and all of a sudden I noticed the ganglion was gone! I was ecstatic!" Play the hran with the hammer. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Ebbie Date: 29 Jun 09 - 06:39 PM An ice pick works too. :) |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 30 Jun 09 - 01:59 PM I guess I'll just live with it if it doesn't get worse. Wouldn't make any difference as far as use of the hand as the arthritis has rendered the middle finger and ring finger (is that what you call it even if it's on the right hand?) pretty useless. Almost as useless as Hran jokes. >;-) |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 14 Jul 09 - 02:33 PM The Seagull flies out the door at 4. Found a buyer, who is getting a good price. Now, if I could just flog the mandy, the bones, the Hrans (save one, of course - nostalgia), the whistles, and my tipper collection. I think I'll keep the mini-stereo CD player on accounta I can still play that pretty well. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Beer Date: 14 Jul 09 - 03:43 PM As long as it is going to a good home let it go. We all have to let go sooner or later in everything that belongs to us. And I mean everything. Adrien |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: GUEST,Doc John Date: 14 Jul 09 - 04:42 PM I had one. Hitting it with a book worked but it returned. Try Das Kapital or American Ballands and Folksongs rather than the Bible. My gp (UK) was very reluctant to refer me to have it removed,saying the consultant would not see me for such a trivial matter,and I had to be very insistant. Anyway the consultant was happy to see me, aspirated the fluid, injected cortisone and it's been OK since. Doc John |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Beer Date: 14 Jul 09 - 04:53 PM If I recall my nursing days, a ganglion has roots. I could be wrong, but if you just drain the liquid chance are that it will come back. Adrien |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:15 PM Serious question. Do you hit it with the cover of the book or the spine? Seamus |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:43 PM Depends on the angle. And, only the angel knows if it will come back. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Tug the Cox Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:50 PM Flat, spreads the impact and the pain. |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:21 PM Not if ya gotta hit it twice or three times or... |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Peace Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:28 PM See a doctor immediately, Gnu . . . . |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 15 Jul 09 - 12:17 AM No, really. I was serious. Seamus |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: maeve Date: 15 Jul 09 - 12:44 AM Tug the Cox had it right, Seamus. maeve |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:48 AM Peace... Does that come with a roll? |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: Peace Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:54 AM Drum roll . . . . |
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Subject: RE: Ganglion on wrist... advice? From: gnu Date: 15 Jul 09 - 09:52 AM Like this? Also in Shediac, New Brunswick, ca. |
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