Newbie Feeling Bluebie

jillsy · #1 04-21-2006, 10:44 AM

My right wrist has been causing alot of pain the past few days, even things as simple as typiing, tying a shoe, or holding my baby has been a new experience in pain! But after rereading the "Carving with a Disability" thread, I'm not feeling so alone with it. Thanks to all who responded with their encouraging words and own personal stories. It's helped more than you know.

Nancy-ID · #2 04-21-2006, 11:29 AM

Jill, sorry to hear you are having that pain. Try not to give into it, even though it hurts the exercise/movement helps RA. Bet yours kicked in during one of your pregnancys or shortly after giving birth? My mother got RA severly during her pregnancy with me at 32. Being an autoimmune disease, stress can kick it into gear. I was pretty smug about thinking I had escaped it until old age hit (meno), now I too have it. The last few months I have been having constant chest and rib pain, movement and touch causes the pain. Turns out, I was told, I have Costochondritis. Another autoimmune thing. It is an inflamation of the cartilage of the sternum and ribs. No treatment. Oh, joy. Like I need more pains

Keep your chin up and keep on plugging. Don't let it get the better of you.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 04-21-2006, 11:38 AM

my wife had something like that, pain in the breast bone....she went to the chiropractor and that took care of it!

Nancy-ID · #4 04-21-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

my wife had something like that, pain in the breast bone....she went to the chiropractor and that took care of it!

You know I have thought of that too since my spine is in pretty rough shape too. I first thought it was just pinched nerves or something from my back. ( I am just a mess)

I am thinking of giving a chiropractor a try. The Dr.s we have here are usually the rejects from L.A. or P.S. so I don't have much faith in their diagnosis. Thanks, that strengthens my thoughts on going to the chiroparctor.

Lynn O. Doughty · #5 04-21-2006, 12:47 PM

I had the same thing a couple of years ago. Pain in the chest area. Naturally, being that I was turning 60 at the time I thought that it was all over for me...that I'd be lucky to make it till the next day. My doctor checked me out and said that it was an inflamation of the sternum. I ask what could I do about it and he said "Give up carving!" As you can see.....I took his advice!

jillsy · #6 04-21-2006, 01:45 PM

Why would your doctor ask you to give up carving for inflammation in your sternum???

It'd probably help me if I ever got an actual diagnosis. After MRIs, EKGs, medicines, blah blah blah...they never gave me a definite answer. One MRI did suggest I have "synovitis". Apparently, we have synovial fluid between our joints to keep them lubricated and there's something wrong with mine (I forget, too little or too much) causing the pain. But, I also get it in the shoulders and fingers and nothing detected there.

After researching it all though, I think it's RA. One doc told me, "If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck.." Medical school did him wonders!

Stress brings it on? No surprise there. I've always been high-strung!

Nancy-ID · #7 04-21-2006, 02:11 PM

Lynn: Hmmm, that is interesting . . .but I'm not giving up carving either

This thing I have does feel like a heart attack too, pressure in the chest and feeling like I'm not getting enough air. Those some of the symptoms of Costochondritis too. Whatever. I'd just like to live through at least a few more carvings

Hmm, an after thought to that line is, if I were you that would only give me about a week!!!!!

Jill: Yup, emotional stress or physical like the changes your body goes through during pregnancy etc.

AlArchie · #8 04-21-2006, 02:23 PM

Nancy, if you are experiencing pain in the chest, pressure in that area and feeling short of breath, GET TO A CARDIOLOGIST NOW!

It may well be nothing more than heartburn, or some other ailment, but those symptoms are those of heart problems, and it's far better to get that diagnosed properly that to have a bunch of doctors telling you it's something else without running the requisite tests. Or comparing your symtoms to someone else's and assuming your physical discomfort is due to the same ailment.

Al

Irish · #9 04-21-2006, 02:29 PM

Jillsy,

You may find that the discomfort will ease greatly as you do more and more carving. It has been my experience that newbies tend to choke up on their grip as they are not yet use to how to hold the knife or how to make their cuts. As you gain more convidence you will begin the relax your hand in gripping the tool.

Also the holding hand tends to be tight. It's just part of learning a new craft. You might try using a small terry cloth towel in your holding hand as a cushion. If you can really feel the carving then your grip is too tight. As for the knife hand stop once in a while and just check how tightly you have the knife grasp.

Any pressure in your hand should be directed to the "push" of the cut not in holding the knife. Easy and gentle in your grip.

I think this comes with practice and experience. After a long session of not carving I can often feel the tension in my hands on the next project ... just need to relax and have fun.

Susan

jillsy · #10 04-21-2006, 03:08 PM

Thanks Irish, come to think of it, I did just get done carving a piece this week too. Must have irritated an already sensitive area. Guess I have to wait this one out...at least until I can get total use of my thumb again! I'll try your recommendations though, maybe it'll help for next time and be less stress on my hands.

Nancy - what the H***? You're talking about pains in the chest and problems breathing?! Have you seen a doctor lately??