My left thumb joint is stiff and sore. It almost feels like a sprain, but methinks it is some kind if arthritis or tendonitis from holding my iPad thingie.
I've noticed a few stitchers talking about thumbs on their blogs or Flosstube videos, and I'm wondering if any of you have a suggestion/remedy that I can try before heading off to yet another doctor.
I'm sorry to complain about it, but alas, I am left handed and have been unable to grasp a pen or anything else in that hand, and there are things to write, pages to color, and diamonds to paint! I stitch with my right hand, so all is well there, but....
Off to an appointment and then home to ponder. It's a cloudy Thursday here in Hoosierville, so methinks it might be a Netflix and stitching kind of day!
Try heat and ice. If that doesn't work, cortisone shot from Doctor. I just had the base joint of my left thumb removed and am in week 14 of recovery. Only 12 weeks to go!
ReplyDeleteYes, I bought a Thumb Stabilizer.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Arthritis-Thumb-Splint-Vive-Immobilizer/dp/B0103JCXH0/
PS: I take two ALEEVE before I sit down to stitch and that helps! I pray for healing and relief from pain for you.
ReplyDeleteI've had problems with both hands that I suspect are related to iPad addiction. I made a conscious effort to change the way I hold it or to use on a table, and that has helped. Advil for pain too.
ReplyDeleteI like Biofreeze for my sore thumb. It comes in cream or roll-on, which I prefer. Available OTC at the drug store. I also use it on my arthritic knees. I would not be without it. Good luck-hope it works.
ReplyDeleteI bought a hand brace from Wally-world. My doc said it is tendonitis. I also take 2 ibuprofen when the pain gets annoying.
ReplyDeleteWear a hand brace. Amazon has a selection of them. I have chronic trigger finger (that sounds like where you are heading) and the brace protects the thumb joint and allows it to rest overnight.
ReplyDeleteThe next alternative is rather uncomfortable and involves a shot in your hand. That works but is not very pleasant.
If it gets really bad, there is surgery.
I have had surgery on both thumbs. I loved to knit and did Brazilian embroidery. The pulling and twisting of the threads in the Brazilian embroidery destroyed my joint where it connects to my hand. I gave all my yarn away and stopped all needlework. Not easy since I worked in a needlework shop.i thought I would never do this work again. The surgery wasn't easy and the recovery was month's. About 6 if I recall.however, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have no pain in my hands and am back to full needlework mode.
ReplyDeleteConi: Have you tried a "Pop-Socket"?
ReplyDeleteHere's a link:
https://www.amazon.com/PopSockets-Collapsible-Stand-Phones-Tablets/dp/B00UY1YTGG
Browse thru the photos and you'll see examples of people using just one on their tablet, others using 2. And then the Pop-Sockets fold flat for storage/travel.
Trying to insert a photo here, but can't.....these little contraptions are perfect for phones and tablets!!!
PS: I place mine in the MIDDLE of my table back, so my entire hand is flat against it and no one finger is taking the brunt of the weight. My index finger and middle finger straddle the Pop-Socket.
ReplyDelete**tablet back**
ReplyDeleteAfter the brace, the steroid shots, nothing worked long term so I am having my thumb operated on next week.
ReplyDeleteAargh...I ended up seeing a hand surgeon and having a very uncomfortable cortisone shot in the tendon at the base of my thumb. HOWEVER...it recovered and has behaved since. I do use a brace on either of my hands when I have issues, good old carpel tunnel syndrome and an assortment of ganglion cysts at the base of both hands. The braces really help, I tend to sleep with them and hope for the best during the day. Hope yours get better!
ReplyDeleteI have slept with braces on so many years I'm on my third pair!! I am a stylist and nail tech. Doing all kind of needlework for over 65 yrs didn't help!
ReplyDeleteThe pain most likely is from sugar consumption. Sugar, and the carbs that turn to sugar, increase the inflammation in your body. The more inflammation, the more pain you’ll have. Try cutting your sugar & carb consumption in half....you should see a big improvement in your pain levels !! Good luck & feel better !!
ReplyDeleteSorry but I have nothing to add other than I hope you find something that makes it feel better!
ReplyDeleteVitamin B6 helps. NO more than 50 mg a day.
ReplyDeleteIf the brace doesn't help, it might be worth a trip to the rheumatologist to get an exact diagnosis. I began having pain in my left thumb joint earlier this year (I'm left-handed as well) and eventually my thumb began locking up at the joint. Apparently I have a condition called tenosynovitis which is simply inflammation of the tendon sheath. Ten minutes in the exam room and a single steroid shot mixed with a little lidocaine cured me within a couple of days and the effects have lasted six months so far. I'm told the condition will likely recur, at which point I'll require another shot.
ReplyDelete