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strange wrist pain

updated fri 10 oct 03

 

Patti Petit on wed 8 oct 03


Jonathan,
You might try a chiropractor or reflexologist. It took about five months
to work the diabling pain out of my wrist and hand. I wasn't able to
wedge or center - couldn't push or lock my fingers.
Happily, I can do both now and have been painfree for the past two
months.
Besy,
Patti in rainy NE Georgia where the leaves are coloring now

Jonathan Kirkendall on wed 8 oct 03


Dear Friends,

Over the past year I have been developing a pain in my left wrist which now
that I=B9m doing more pottery has begin to bother me more. It=B9s not so much
an acute, sharp pain as an acute ache, if that makes sense. I have gone to
the doctor, the doctor has done x rays and tests, and three things have bee=
n
ruled out: arthritis, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis (because it doesn=B9t see=
m
to react to anti-inflamatories). Any ideas about where to go from here?

It does NOT hurt when I wedge, it DOES hurt when I center.

Jonathan in DC

Sherry Becker-Gorby on wed 8 oct 03


Hi Jonathan
You may want to discuss cubitol tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve) and
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (shoulder area) with your doctor. I have had
this problem in both arms/hands. Had to have surgery on the right arm
to relocate the ulnar nerve to prevent further damage. I am now in
occupational therapy for the left arm. The sensation can manifest in
multiple locations, but it often felt as weakness in the hand, loss of
dexterity particularly with little and ring finger, thumb and pointer.
It took a while for the doctor to identify this in my right arm. If
caught early, hand exercise, etc can be effective with treating the
problem.

Just a thought

Sherry in Ohio =20

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Jonathan
Kirkendall
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 10:38 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Strange Wrist Pain


Dear Friends,

Over the past year I have been developing a pain in my left wrist which
now that I=B9m doing more pottery has begin to bother me more. It=B9s =
not
so much an acute, sharp pain as an acute ache, if that makes sense. I
have gone to the doctor, the doctor has done x rays and tests, and three
things have been ruled out: arthritis, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis
(because it doesn=B9t seem to react to anti-inflamatories). Any ideas
about where to go from here?

It does NOT hurt when I wedge, it DOES hurt when I center.

Jonathan in DC

________________________________________________________________________
______
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Tony Ferguson on wed 8 oct 03


Jonathan,

Around age 30 the HGH (human growth hormone) peeters out. What does this
mean? You will have aches and pains that you never had--especially past
injuries. Regardless of age, if you are aching (related to joints, tendo=
n,
muscles) you may want to try a glucosomine product. I have one I use and =
it
works very well.


Thank you.

Tony Ferguson
On Lake Superior, where the sky meets the Lake

Custom & Manufactured Kiln Design
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku and more
by Coleman, Ferguson, Winchester...
http://www.aquariusartgallery.com
218-727-6339
315 N. Lake Ave
Apt 312
Duluth, MN 55806


----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Jonathan Kirkendall"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 10:38 AM
Subject: Strange Wrist Pain


Dear Friends,

Over the past year I have been developing a pain in my left wrist which n=
ow
that I=B9m doing more pottery has begin to bother me more. It=B9s not so=
much
an acute, sharp pain as an acute ache, if that makes sense. I have gone =
to
the doctor, the doctor has done x rays and tests, and three things have b=
een
ruled out: arthritis, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis (because it doesn=B9t=
seem
to react to anti-inflamatories). Any ideas about where to go from here?

It does NOT hurt when I wedge, it DOES hurt when I center.

Jonathan in DC

_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

May Davies on wed 8 oct 03


Have you had a chiropractor look at it?

May

pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on wed 8 oct 03


Hi Jonathan,


It sounds like you have hurt your wrist.


Does it act up in other use? As say to oddly loose strength
when holding even a fairly light item at a certain angle?

Or when lifting a skillet from the stove-top?

This may not be revelant to your concern, but...

It is not uncommon to have inadvertently hyper-extended a
wrist sometimes, as say, when doing 'push-ups', or something
like push-ups anyway, especially on a soft surface as allows
the wrist to bend back a little to far, especially when one
has had one's attentions on other compelling matters at the
time.


My appreciation is that is will clear up over some several
weeks or months...and should be kept from any further
possible hyper-extensions if possible, so it may do so. Diet
may play a useful role, as it tends to...but I am not sure
what dietary elements are useful for this specifically.
Maybe just the usual; fresh greens eaten raw...raw cider
vinegar in water every day...plenty of clean non 'tap'
Water...no 'beef'...little or no 'dairy'...no
'fast-food'...no GE or GM foods...


I myself have suffered versions of this 'wrist-thing'
several times through the years, and I
have known others who had as well...sometimes it seemed to
take quite a while to finally clear up.

Mine, when I'd lift a skillet, would feel as if the strength
suddenly left, and a dull interior ache was welling, and I
would have to set the skillet down fast or drop it. Not so
good...it had mostly to do with the angle at which I held
something. I could lift very
heavy things in some attitudes, yet, even something of a few
pounds light, if
at that certain angle, would bring on the symptoms.

It cleared up...just took a while.


Good Luck,


Phil
Las Vegas

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Kirkendall"

Dear Friends,

Over the past year I have been developing a pain in my left
wrist which now
that Iım doing more pottery has begin to bother me more.
Itıs not so much
an acute, sharp pain as an acute ache, if that makes sense.
I have gone to
the doctor, the doctor has done x rays and tests, and three
things have been
ruled out: arthritis, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis (because
it doesnıt seem
to react to anti-inflamatories). Any ideas about where to
go from here?

It does NOT hurt when I wedge, it DOES hurt when I center.

Jonathan in DC

Susan Fox-Hirschmann on wed 8 oct 03


Jonathan,
Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate was recommended by my Orthopedist, tho he
told he was "not allowed" to recommend it. I have been on the stuff for joint
"issues" for about 5 years and tho it is no miracle cure, I can say it really
seems to help.
I wish you the best, in getting to the bottom of the wrist pain.
Susan
Annandale, VA

Jan L. Peterson on wed 8 oct 03


Could it be muscle pain? Have you tried using a wrist brace? Do you use other
wrist or arm muscles the rest of the day to give those particular ones a
break? I have had one wrist after another in braces or ace bandages, up until the
last twenty years. I also found different ways of going about things to
strengthen other muscles and to give the sore ones a break. I was awful to my hands
and arms and wrists. I have learned to be somewhat ambidextrous, thanks to my
own foolishness. I learned a forearm exercise when I got tennis elbow from
some of the work I was doing. It had gotten so I couldn't even hold onto a
blanket to shake it out and fold it, or a pan with anything in it. When you open
drawers or cupboards, do it with the palm of your hand facing you. It uses the
forearm muscles. It takes a bit of doing, but your arm will remind you from time
to time, and it will get to be sort of second nature after awhile. Jan, the
Alleycat

Craig Dunn Clark on wed 8 oct 03


Jonathon, not that I'm trying to be flippant here.....but......I just
can't resist. Sounds like something is giving you a real pain in the er ah
"wrist." Sorry. I can definitely relate. I suffer from a bit of the old
chronic lower back pain and was told at a workshop that I braved the winds
of a hurricane to attend that my problem was due to all of the "stupid shit"
I did back in my twenties.
One thing that has worked for me and others that I know who have
reported strange types of sypmtoms that MRI's, UntraSounds, and
anti-inflamatories etc have not worked on is massage and accupuncture.
Seriously. Check out your local, competent, seasoned accupuncturist and let
them have a crack at it. May work wonders.
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 st
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Kirkendall"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 10:38 AM
Subject: Strange Wrist Pain


Dear Friends,

Over the past year I have been developing a pain in my left wrist which now
that Iım doing more pottery has begin to bother me more. Itıs not so much
an acute, sharp pain as an acute ache, if that makes sense. I have gone to
the doctor, the doctor has done x rays and tests, and three things have been
ruled out: arthritis, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis (because it doesnıt seem
to react to anti-inflamatories). Any ideas about where to go from here?

It does NOT hurt when I wedge, it DOES hurt when I center.

Jonathan in DC

____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

John K Dellow on thu 9 oct 03


May my chiropractor thought he could help, but was unsuccessful.
John Dellow

May Davies wrote:

>Have you had a chiropractor look at it?
>
>May
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>

--

John Dellow "the flower pot man"
Home Page http://www.welcome.to/jkdellow
http://digitalfire.com/education/people/dellow/

John K Dellow on thu 9 oct 03


Johnathan ,
I have had similar trouble with my left wrist. After consulting a=20
sports medicine
doctor ,it was pointed out to me that the injury is very similar to the=20
injuries boxers
get. Pressure on the open palm when centering is compacting the soft=20
tissue between
the small bones in the wrist. The tissue swells and causes a similar=20
pain to carpal tunnel
A cold pack and rest is what is needed. If possible use softer caly ,=20
and don't do long
runs .
To others who read this if you are centering large lumps of clay this=20
is a problem you
will encounter and I carn`t give any help with the left, but with right=20
hand when centering
and pushing down ,use a clenched fist and push with the fist and wrist=20
.The right thumb
should be pointing up.
John

Jonathan Kirkendall wrote:

>Dear Friends,
>
>Over the past year I have been developing a pain in my left wrist which =
now
>that I=B9m doing more pottery has begin to bother me more. It=B9s not s=
o much
>an acute, sharp pain as an acute ache, if that makes sense. I have gone=
to
>the doctor, the doctor has done x rays and tests, and three things have =
been
>ruled out: arthritis, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis (because it doesn=B9=
t seem
>to react to anti-inflamatories). Any ideas about where to go from here?
>
>It does NOT hurt when I wedge, it DOES hurt when I center.
>
>Jonathan in DC
>
>________________________________________________________________________=
______
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pcli=
nk.com.
>
> =20
>

--=20

John Dellow "the flower pot man"
Home Page http://www.welcome.to/jkdellow
http://digitalfire.com/education/people/dellow/

Arnold Howard on thu 9 oct 03


Here are other ideas to try for wrist pain. I am no expert, so take this
advice with a grain of salt:

1) Fish oils help with inflammation and help lubricate the joints.
2) B6, 250 mg in the morning and another 250 at night, for no longer
than 3 months.
3) Nature's Plus RX line of cream. Nature's Plus also has one of the
best glucosamines.
4) Do you have neck pain also? That can actually cause wrist pain.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard

From: Susan Fox-Hirschmann
> Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate was recommended by my Orthopedist, tho
he told he was "not allowed" to recommend it. I have been on the stuff
for joint
> "issues" for about 5 years and tho it is no miracle cure, I can say it
really
> seems to help.

Gene and Dolita Dohrman on thu 9 oct 03


John, Check out the October issue of Health magazine. There is an article
in there on page 43 entitled "A Simple Way to Zap Pain". It has to do with
the use of low-level laser therapy. They are just starting to use it. It
also states that it is inexpensive. You might check it out. If you can't
get ahold of it, perhaps I can try scanning it and sending it to you. Let
me know.
Dolita

dohrman@insightbb.com

Deborah Pratt on thu 9 oct 03


Jonathon,
I had something like this when I fell *up* the stairs in the house my ex and I built - I kept tripping on the tread part that stuck out over the riser. Natch, I caught myself on my palms and banged the area of the palm/wrist that the ulnar nerve goes through. I had bone scans, etc., to rule out hairline fractures, but the only things that helped were naproxen, wrist braces at night, and time. It seems to take forever to heal, but they pretty well have. Since I'm not in that house anymore, I am tripping less also ;-)
Deb


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Deborah Pratt on thu 9 oct 03


Oh, and I was in the middle of my series of ceramics classes so I spent a year wedging clay with my feet... that was interesting!

Deb


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Steve Slatin on thu 9 oct 03


Jonathon,

The description of your pain is very similar to some
Descriptions of the earliest stages of diabetic neuropathy.
Some doctors neglect checking for that if you don't get a
regular general medical checkup, especially if you don't
show a weight problem. Potters sometimes don't show a
weight problem because of their energetic lifestyle (also
it's hard to snack with clay on your fingers).

Just a long shot, but you may want to rule it out while
going after some of the more likely, palliative treatments.

Best wishes - -Steve S

Lee Love on fri 10 oct 03


When I worked at UPS, as an inside fulltimer, after Christmas I'd often get
kicked back to working a double part-time shift. This was mostly
unloading trailers. The reason why it is usually done by part-timers, is
that the work is so demanding, and that you become less efficent after 3 or
4 hours and the repetitive stress is tough on the joints.

I took a tip from an older part-time worker, that vitamine E
helps keep the joints in shape. It worked for me. So does asprin for
any swelling.

Another thing I found helpful for carpel tunnel is massage. In
the Filepeno martial art I studied, there is a lot of "forearm slapping"
during practice. After realizing this, I started applying massage to my
wrists and forearms, by firmly slapping them on all sides with my free hand.
I'm not sure what it does, maybe increases the circulation and blood flow to
the area.


Lee In Mashiko