Arthritis

[SubstituteTeacher]

I have arthritis in my right arm. I can only lift my arm to a 45% angle. Does anyone have any suggestions for helping me improve? I take naproxyn which helps slightly.

[Icky]

Well... BigJerr forbids medical advice to be discussed here.... But PM's are a different story.

[Xena]

I just got back from the doc about a tick bite. While I was there I asked what I can do about the pain in my thumbs (arthritis). He said take Tylenol 3 times a day. Thanks doc.

The good new is, when it gets really bad, I can have my thumb joints replaced. Oh joy.

As for your arm problem, I would see a second doctor.

[Icky]

I just got back from the doc about a tick bite. While I was there I asked what I can do about the pain in my thumbs (arthritis). He said take Tylenol 3 times a day. Thanks doc.

The good new is, when it gets really bad, I can have my thumb joints replaced. Oh joy.

As for your arm problem, I would see a second doctor.

AKA "Video Game Thumb"

Time for you to get a Wii :)

[Xena]

I actually think it stems from using power tools that are designed for bigger hands.

[dr.strangelove]

I have arthritis in my right arm. I can only lift my arm to a 45% angle. Does anyone have any suggestions for helping me improve? I take naproxyn which helps slightly.

I have arthritis in my fingers and sometimes my wrists. While I do take a presecription frm time to time, a friend told me this strange home remedy which actually makes me feel better. Walnuts and coconuts. Fresh, not canned or bagged or anything like that. In the morning when it gets bad, before breakfast, if I have some fresh walnuts or coconut, it actually helps me. Maybe its all in my head, but it seems to work.

The best course is to see a doctor who can get you the right drugs, if they are necessary. Before and after you see a doc, talk to Icky (since he offered) about different drug options.

[dr.strangelove]

I actually think it stems from using power tools that are designed for bigger hands.
I think mine is from years of typing badly and carrying a heavy briefcase. I used to think a shoulder strap would cause back pain, so a carried everythign in a briefcase with a handle. Now some days I can;t even grab the handle to lift the empty case. My back sucks anyway, so I got nothing out of my grand plan.

On power tools. I have a weed wacker thing that I use to trim the edges of my grass. After I use that, I can't even lift a glass of water without dropping it. I hate some power tools.

[Xena]

Yeah, that constant vibration doesn't help either. My neighbor broke my weed eater. (There is a god!) So rather than reinvesting in a $300 gas powered weed eater, I bought a $30 electric one. It severely limits my range (thank you again god!), is lighter, less noisy and kicks posterior when it comes to whacking weeds. A lot easier on the hands and back, not to mention ears.

[Icky]

A job I had 15 years ago literally had me digging ditches for $6.50/hr... It was a turning point in my life.

Anyway... I developed some rather debilitating Carpal Tunnel problems particularly in my right hand.

I'd spend a day driving to the site on Monday morning... Work all day Tue, Wed, and Thru... and drive home on Friday... I couldn't feel the steering wheel on the drive home... I couldn't use my hands all day saturday... On sunday I got just enough feeling back that I could write my checks and pay my bills but that was about it... On Monday, during the drive, I'd get most feeling back... only to start all over again.

That job really sucked! Did I mention that?

To this day I have some serious problems with it... although, strangely enough, I seem to be able to type all day long with no ill effects. But if I write more than a paragraph with a pen or pencil I start to have problems... If I write a full page I'm done! I won't hold a pencil again for days.

Imagine what fun it is to draw and ink (inking in particular) that comic strip :)

Either a labor of love... or a love of labor... I'm not sure which.

[Icky]

Oh yeah.... yardwork is a KILLER!!! GAH!!!!