Is this arthritis?

Subject: Is this arthritis?
From: Davetnova
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 03:15 AM

A week or so ago I got an excruiating pain in the pointing finger of my right hand. I took it to be RSI and swapped my mouse buttons over. Since then I'm getting random pains at the joints of other fingers, not bad but there, theres no swelling. It's not affecting my playing but I'd like to know if this is the start of the end. Does this sound like arthritis? If not what is it? Has anybody any tips as to how to alleviate it or delay it? I don't like to use doctors hence my asking here, I know many of you people are of that same certain age that I am.

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 04:06 AM

You really need to show it to someone with the experieince and knowledge to recognise what the problem is. It could be busritis (inflammation, "housemaid's knee") or gout (really), or rheumatoid arthritis ... or a load of other things. It may go away if you let it rest, or it may need treatment or medication.

Sorry I'm not sounding very positive! There will be some 'catters who can ask you the right questions to give you a helpful answer.

I had something similar in a toe when I was twenty -- about thirty years back. It went away in the end, after spreading to my other toes and my hip. It's never come back.

You could try using your mouse with your other hand, i.e. if you're right-handed, use your left. Keep the buttons the "normal" way around. You'll quickly get used to it, and you'll probably find its more convenient that way, not just because of your finger.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 04:49 AM

You're not going to like this answer: see a doctor. There are dozens of conditions that cause pain in the joints. Some are minor, some serious. Some are related to recurrent use, and others are not. And nobody is going to be able to reliably differentiate them from a written description. A careful history and examination is the first step, then maybe (or maybe not) X-rays and blood tests. You will no doubt find plenty of well-meaning people who say, "Yeah, I had something just like that, and it was __________ and it got better with _____________." If you want to follow their advice, fine. But I daresay if your instrument had a problem you'd take it to an expert. Why trust your body to anything less?

Of course, I admit that I'm biased.

I do hope your hands are feeling better soon.

Aloha,
Mark
(M.D.)

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 06:30 AM

As someone who has gone surgery on both hands for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I can only echo what others have said. Get it checked out. If you don't you could be putting your ability to play at risk to say nothing of all the other functions we rely on our hands for.
I also suffer from arthritis in wrists and back but with a little help from the medical people am able to keep playing although I have had to alter my banjo style to using thumb & index finger.
Look after your hands and keep on picking

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: PennyBlack
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 06:49 AM

Arthritis Research Campaign

As said above and hopefully you've now followed the suggestion and seen your Doctor - if not Do So!

It could be many things, in some cases regular exercise of the joint will help in others it can cause further damage - so find out what the problem is.

Having had hand problems for over five years, which cause me tremendous pain and frustration especially when playing (on average 4/5 nights a week plus a 3hr session for ARC every Tues during the season)you have my sympathy.

If it is diagnosed as Arthritis related the link at the top of the page is a handy source for information and support here in the UK.

Whatever the problem Don't worry, where there's a will there's a way

take care

PB

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 09:13 AM

It's OK that you don't wish to race off to see a doctor for every little thing,

BUT

Pain is nature's signal that something is wrong. Ignore it and you may only make the problem worse. As a musician, you must do something about it promptly - even get a couple of opinions if you prefer, or you will only live to regret it. Since music is a part of your life, and your future ability to play is now possibly under threat, you will regret it if you find that you forgot

'A stitch in time saves nine'

Robin

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:17 PM

I just posted a message about my own arthritis and treatment in

this thread.

Rather than repeat myself, I'll just suggest that you click over there and look for my name, morning of 29 Oct 04.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 02:16 PM

Get it checked out.

My friend, Perseus Twidlington, had pain such as you describe and didn't get it checked out. He was able to totally alleviate the problem by placing his wrists under a running chain saw. Neither he nor I recommend this remedy, but it did get him to see a doctor.

Don't be a Twidlington. Get checked out.

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 03:10 PM

I'd suggest getting a blood test for gout (a form of arthritis). It means too much uric acid in the blood collecting in various joints. It usually manifests itself in the toe joint. As a gout sufferer it has usually happened in the left big tow. Recently I had a major attack in my right wrist (didn't effect my playing, but it hurt like hell for no good reason). I had gone for years without any problems when this happened (with an attack on my hip a few weeks later). There's some inexpensive anti-inflammatory medication you can get on prescription which can take care to things when there's an attack. Cherry juice also helps. But, get it checked.

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 05:49 PM

yep...get it checked.. I get a couple of finger joints hurting each morning, but so far,it goes away after some exercise.

In the meantime, if left-handed mousing is a problem, you can try downloading this program.

It clicks the mouse for you...just takes a short practice period .

Very clever application that does a number of tricks.

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 05:54 PM

Diet is a possibility. Have it checked.

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 06:02 PM

Davetnova,

I'll have to agree with Mark, M.D., on this one about seeing a doctor. Yer gonna need to xray the hand and see what's left in the the joints... It sounds like arthritis to me, though... I have it in both thumb bases and have for years... In most cases, it is not debilitating and I wouldn't be too concerned about noe being able to play music unless yer playing 4 hour sest every night...

Now Mark, M.D., may or may not agree with what I'm going to tell you works but it works: "Joint Soother" from Vitamin World which contains Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). I've been using it for the last two years and it works for me...

Good luck.

Bobert

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Joybell
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 07:10 PM

Couldn't agree more. You trust Mudcatters enough to ask advice, Davetnova, here you have a Mudcatter doctor. Before you try any kind of treatment at least have the problem diagnosed by a doctor. You'll have a better idea of what you are dealing with. Good luck. Joy

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 08:23 PM

If your car started to sound funny, you'd probably get a mechanic to check it out. If your washing machine was doing the same, you'd call an engineer.

Our bodies are remarkably clever about sorting themselves out, but a bit of hands on expertise is sometimes needed. We keep our bodies running a whole lot longer than any of those machines we use, and we can't ever trade it in.

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 08:57 PM

"and we can't ever trade it in"

that's what children are...

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 12:23 AM

Definitely go see a doctor, that's the only person who can tell you for sure what's wrong, and tell you what to do about it! Good luck, i hope it's nothing serious! :0)

I had something like that. I finally went for an x-ray after about two weeks, turns out i had a broken pinky. Don't ask me how i managed to break a bone without noticing because, quite frankly, i'm amazed myself...

Subject: RE: Is this arthritis?
From: Joybell
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 05:45 PM

It's no surprise that many "alternative" cures seem to work on some of the types of arthritis, which are known for remissions and flare-ups. Some types need urgent medical diagnosis and treatment if you are to avoid permanant joint damage. Joy