I can't win for losing!

[Sean R]

Hi folks,
So I have been carving now since November of last year, And I must say I love it!
It is all I think about as far as hobbies goes. I try to carve at least 2 hours or more a night. And have been doing great, And then it happened. I was wearing all my protective gear. And all the sudden I get this pain in my wrist. Well after several days it began to get worse.
So I go to the wife and let her know what is goin on (shes a Nurse ) And she asked one of the doc's at work and they say I have Tendonitis! So I have been unable to carve now for over a week!!! Monday I am going to the doctor's to see what they suggest I do. As it does not seem to be getting better. I feel as if I have had my favorite toy taken away So keep those neat pics of all your carving's coming in, So at least I can look if I cannot carve.
Sean

[Buffalo Bif]

Sorry. Hopefully Tendonitis has a cure?

[Brian Cathcart]

Hey Sean,

Hope you feel better soon. I had tendonitis about two years ago, I was 23. Not sure how I got it, or what caused it. The Dr wrapped it in a splint to immobilize it, about 2 weeks later, the pain was gone. Mine got progressively worse over a few days, then I went to the Dr.

Hope you feel better soon!

Brian

[Sean R]

I sure hope so! I will find out Monday.

[Sean R]

Yeah Brian that is what mine is doing. It feels better then bam! severe pain again,

[Tom Ellis]

Sean, if that is in your holding hand, keep the knives sharp, and take smaller chips, These layoffs are tuff on an addict.

Best wishes. Tom

[Sean R]

Yeah Tom it is my holding hand. I tried the other night, And by the way My knives are always sharp now that I use your knife massager hehe, So I tried the other night and it hurts to rotate the knife in my hand for turns and whatnot. It is killing me hehe. Was supposed to go see Don Mertz for another carving session today and had to cancel! I love going over to his house to carve But not much sense in it if all I can do is watch and not carve myself

[Josef]

Hi Sean, a break (a rest that is), is all that is required, then maybe a slightly looser hold on the wood huh? Most beginners like myself grip the tools etc with a death grip that is totally unneccassary Have you thought about a carving vice/holder? Plenty of carvers have them here on the site, you could probably find something to suit your particular style. Just a thought, Joe.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Good luck Sean, hope the doc. has good news for you! I get bad pain in my knife holding hand, it comes and goes. I take lots of brakes and sometimes wear a wrist guard. Hope everything works out! BTW, you are very fortunate to carve with Mr. Mertz.

Dave

[Sean R]

Hi joe, Yes I do grip my tools too tight. But I also had been thinking about how I carve and was talking to Don about this last night. I notice I do not use the thumb on my left hand to push the knife and let my holding hand guide it. I tend to use the knife hand for most work. I do not feel this is a bad thing, But I sure could be wrong too.

Dave, You may be right, Maybe I need to get some type of brace when I carve. I am just hoping this is due to me not using the writ muscles much before I started to carve? About Don, He Is a wonderful man and friend. He has taught me so much. I would be no where near where I am now had it not been for him. Course I have a very long way to go too
But if the doc says it will be something that will be with me for the rest of my life, Well I will carve anyhow! I have never been so head over heels for a hobby in my life. the bug really hit me!