When my husband was stricken with gout for the first time, about
ten years ago, I read everything I could about the subject. One
reference said that although it's mostly considered a man's
disease, women sometimes get it too, and often in their thumb
rather than their big toe. "
This interests me, because I am a woman, and was diagnosed with gout
in my big toe when I was 20. It had not bothered me for many years
until recently. I also have some trouble with my thumbs…
In any case, one way to combat a tendency to gout is to eat
cherries. They contain a substance that helps break down uric acid,
the culprit in gout. And, unlike most therapies, eating them is fun,
and pretty harmless, so if it doesn’t help, they still taste good! I
think it takes 8 or so a day for maintenance. Good luck!
Jennifer~ Thank you so much for your informative letter about your
experience in finding a solution to your problem.
I, too, found physical therapy and hot wax to be WONDERFUL help
after having surgery for carpal tunnel and when my hands get sore .
I did not know of the craft glove but I will have one by tonight!
This has been mentioned before, but it helped me so much that
I have to mention it here. Get this book and try the exercises:
Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain
Injuries by Sharon Butler. > J. S. Ellington
I’ll check that out, meanwhile, I had been having a recurring
problem with pain in my elbow, bad enough to make it painful
sometimes to lift a jug of milk out of the fridge. On the advice of
a friend, I bought one of those inexpensive Velcro type bands sold
for “tennis elbow” and the results have been phenomenal. I never saw
a doctor about the condition, because it goes away and I think it’s
gone for good, then I do too much flat work or the like and it flairs
up. I’ve also taken to wearing the thing to bed to help keep the arm
straight while I sleep. Works wonders.
Another suggestion would be to check out the Alexander Technique. I
have been taking classes in Alexander Technique this week and have
been amazed at the difference it can make when performing routine
physical tasks. For some basic check out http://www.alexandertechnique.com --Vicki Embrey
I just want to mention that this sounds like me, 12 years ago.
(Except for the “works wonders” part.) After a while (and various
treatments by an orthopedist) my other elbow started to hurt as
well. He sent me to a neurologist, who diagnosed fibromyalgia. At
its worst, I couldn’t walk far enough to shop at a mall. Management
has been complicated and difficult, but the main aspect that has
helped is exercise (and medications to improve sleep quality, and
drastic changes in my diet…). The main reason I’m telling you all
this is that “tennis elbow” requires rest and immobilization,
whereas fibromyalgia will get steadily worse without range-of-motion
workouts–just the opposite. So if more than one joint is involved,
it might be wise to be checked for fibromyalgia (a neurologist will
press on certain pre-selected points on your body. If they are all
or mostly painful–bingo!) Easier to get on top of and manage if you
start sooner in its progression than I did. There is no cure, but my
pain level is where I can live with it-- and work with it-- now
I found great relief from using a hand exerciser, which can be
bought at a sports store. It has small springs on top for the 4
fingers. These can be pressed together or independently. Just use
it while you are watching television. In a couple of days you will
notice a huge difference. Also, some yoga positions are great. For
example, the downward-facing dog pose places quite a bit of weight on
your hands. This will strengthen them. It is all about general
health of the hands, and not overusing certain muscles all the time.
Elizabeth Gordon-Mills
PO Box 32
Langhorne Creek
South Australia 5255
There is another option to consider, especially if you have been
diagnosed with fibromyalgia ('NOT a figment of your imagination).
Magnets/. they do work, get the largest gauss you can in spot
magnets and tape them to your body.
Now, about tennis elbow. I am a silersmith and raise metal. I had
a lot of pain for a lot of years and the docs just kept telling me to
take shots of cortesone. At the time I lived in the NE USA. It
turns out that I had lyme disease not tennis elbow. PLEASE request a
test, if it is lymes then get treatment the pain will go away.
If you want to talk to me off line I can be reached at: @Charles_Friedman1