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May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Remember when people would ask you, "WOW! What happened?" And you could actually regale them with a death defying story involving some legitimately risky activity involving something like full-contact rugby wearing shorts while wielding lacrosse wickets and skiing a double-black-diamond in the dead of winter? And it would actually be true? Give or take a lie or two. (Quoting James Garner.)
Then you step off the cliff known in common parlance as "the age of 40." And suddenly, you don't know what happened? SERIOUSLY!
You, quite rudely sometimes, wake up injured...for no reason...you just...stand up or something, and realize you hurt to a pretty measurable standard. AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHY!
Frankly, I'm uncertain as to which is more irritating; the pain or the lack of information.
So, I wake up last Monday, stand up, and do a quick stretch, and without warning or preamble, a little 2-inch appendage to which I am very attached and have always been able to rely on to perform its function with commendable facility,...(My right thumb)...(Everyone back on task now?)...(Good.)...locked in position in a manner so painful as to double my 6-foot frame half-wise while my brain soundlessly begged the planet to stop spinning long enough for me to devise a process by which I could transform apparently newly-minted bone back into the flexible joint that had previously occupied that particular location in my anatomy.
After a seemingly time-warping wormhole that lasted, from my perspective, the better part of the 21st century but was actually probably less than a minute in this Eastern Standard time zone, and by the way looks exactly like Hollywood says they do with bright flashing lights and spots before your eyes afterward, a valiant and self-sacrificing burst of muscular force rose from some deep well within my heretofore relatively mundane forearm to snap my wayward digit back into its normal resting position, thus saving me from a life of perpetual and involuntary hitch-hiking.
After a moment of stunned, disbelieving silence. I came to the epiphanic conclusion that the phrase "What the hell?!" was first uttered by someone who had lived a minimum of four decades. And I, paying due homage to that wordsmith, breathlessly uttered the time-honored query.
At first I thought, "Maybe I slept on it wrong." But frankly, that really didn't have its customary "oomph" as far as an explanation for some random morning discomfiture. So I went for the old #2 standby: "It'll be better in a day or two."
By Tuesday morning, I couldn't tie my shoe.
By Wednesday night, I couldn't pick up my dinner plate.
By Thursday afternoon, I could not hold my guitar pick.
By Friday, having paid in tribute about 80% of the range of motion in my thumb to the pain gremlins (Who apparently are majority holders of whoever makes Advil, because it's useless for this particular condition so far.), and constantly keeping my right hand clenched in what we called in first grade a "girlie fist" (thumb clenched on the inside) for fear of inadvertent flexion instantly invoking sentence from my newly-acquired, built-in thumb screws, I conceded defeat and agreed to go to a doctor. The Urgent care closed at 8 PM. I got there at 7:58.
I have something known by the delightfully perky sounding name of Trigger Finger. Apparently it is fairly common. (Especially after forty if you can believe it.) Quite often the cause is unknown. ('Natch.) And the severity has a pretty broad range. Mine is severe enough to land me in a splint for an unknown duration. The doc says it might clear up in a couple of days or a couple of months. We'll give it time to heal and hopefully avoid surgery.
In the meantime, it's no guitar, laughable attempts to eat cereal left-handed, questionable talent for typing further diminished (present rant notwithstanding), and a Three Stoogesesque routine wherein I repeatedly recall Ralphie from A Christmas Story as people keep warning him "You'll put your eye out." as I abruptly come eyeball-to-splinted-thumbtip every time I scratch my nose.
On the plus side, I have to give the splint credit. When the thumb is immobilized, the pain is eliminated entirely. And that my friends, is blessed relief. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Owowowow! I feel for you buddy. Get better soon. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Wow... that sux.
But I hope you get over it soon. |
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August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | Wait until you're kissing cousins with 60. Then the fun really starts. In the mean time, when you heal, try these. I do them every day, and my hands have never felt better. Here they are (In the meantime, get better, and know it's temporary):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26yUeESnMvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSZN5YNczco
http://www.ehow.com/video_4400430_yoga-hand-stretches-carpal-tunnel...
http://www.ihealthtube.com/aspx/viewvideo.aspx?v=4ca73dc44d52ffd4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPAISRzG6Zo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IJC0bckKBY&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11bX6_dM6UQ&feature=channel |
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March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | Someone once told me, a medical professional... if memory serves, that EVERY single knock you take in your youth (that you never gave even a moments notice to...), will come back to haunt you the minute you hit 50!!
Having joined this illustrious club (people looking down at the long, slippery, receding slope from the top...), I can confirm... every single word is true!!
Extra-strength Tylenol and I are best buddies now. Am hoping that when 60 comes... I won't need to move on to the 'industrial strength' stuff or something you buy from a guy in a trenchcoat behind the local high school, lol. |
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February 2008
Posts: 747
| Originally posted by Patch:
Remember when people would ask you, "WOW! What happened?" And you could actually regale them with a death defying story involving some legitimately risky activity involving something like full-contact rugby I'm 54 and I road race cars for recreation at Mosport International Raceway which is a former Grand Prix track and now used for things like the ALMS series. I've been in numerous car accidents and sustained many injuries from various sports but none of it has been debilitating and I have no pain - my exercise programme consists of placing my feet on the floor every morning when I get out of bed although I do work with free weights during the racing season. I have many friends who are about my age and still race although some of them have injuries which negative their ability. I guess I've got it coming one of these days but people who have known me for many years assure me that I'm still just as abrasive and obnoxious as I've always been - so I can live with that and life's been good so far...lol |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I feel ya
be better soon |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | When people ask you about the splint, just tell them you were hitch hiking too close to the interstate. ;) |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | You'll be better soon, Patch. Just consider yourself lucky you don't have a bad back....although not playing guitar would REALLY be tough...
(can't you strum with your fingers and not use the thumb?) |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I've had trigger "thumb" on my left hand. Yeah.. it hurts.
I was lucky that a cortisone shot pretty much took care of it. About a year later I felt a twinge coming back and went in quick for another shot. I have about 95% function. If I play a lot of songs with a lot of barre chords I can tell it's not 100%.
If the shot did not work, doc said surgery was the next step. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Sorry to hear Patch,
If it makes you feel any better I was throwing a Football with my Son on Saturday, reached left for a pass and pulled my right Hamstring, go figure!! |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Well, if you can't play guitar, you could always try short story writing, or stand up comic scriptwriting. That was very entertaining and well written.
I was in the middle of my 49th year when I took up surfing again after a 25 year break. 18 months later, I'm feeling the best I've felt for 10 years. I'm into my 4th surfboard already - and we're not talking 'malibu' here - proper nippy little shortboards. (well, it's a BIG shortboard, OK?)
If I'm approaching the verandah, I'll think 'do I jump up like an (old) athlete, or walk around to the stairs?'. I usually opt for the stairs (because I'm fundamentally lazy). Conversely, I'll paddle out in biggish surf and get pounded and pummelled and think nothing of it. (until the next day)
It's still hard to get out of bed some mornings and my bits ache all over, and every now and then, something hurts like hell for no apparent reason. But it eventually passes and I go surfing again.
Age is just a number. Your thumb could've happened 10 years ago.
Keep active.
Life is good.
Hope your thumb is a temporary affliction. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I have things that hurt that I didn't know I had when I was in my thirties.
Wear the splint for as long as you need to. It will get better. |
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March 2009
Posts: 715
| Patch,
From reading your signature, it looks like you've had Trigger Finger for quite some time now! :D
I hope you feel better soon!
Michelle |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | This MAY sound stupid to some, but have you checked out a GOOD chiropractor? Some of them are just joint-popping quacks, but I have one here where I live that has proven to be very helpful with things like this. I have always been very skeptical when it comes to them (chiropractors), but I have become believer after dealing with this guy. |
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October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | Trigger thumb... been there, done that. Mine was corrected with minor surgery. No more clicking, no more pain.
I have learned I am not indestructible anymore. Braking my collar bone while surfing (about 7 years ago) taught me that. I started playing indoor lacrosse at 40 (5 years ago)... what was I thinking. Even my sister said "You waited until you were 40 to take up contact sports? Not too bright brother." After a game or practice, I feel every day of 45. I have also learned that Motrin is my friend. :)
Do as your Doc says and you will be picking and strumming again in no time. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Yuck. Sorry to hear about your pain, Patch. The older we get, the greater need we have to maintain flexibility and strength. I try not to take anything for granted anymore. Quick starts, stops and twists can be painful. After age 50, men seem to have isues with knees, hips and shoulders. A lifetime of work may have something to do with it. One thing of which I seem to lose more every day is spatial perception. I pass a door jam or anything jutting out and maybe 20% of the time, I hit it with a shoulder, hand, or worse yet, some knuckles. I still have to learn to slow down and pass things with care. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | If you're 55 and you want to feel 35 it takes some real dedication and commitment. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by Slipkid:
If you're 55 and you want to feel 35 it takes some real dedication and commitment. HELL, Your body will break down before you hit 42! :rolleyes: :D |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I have no idea how Beal does it...
Key words from a 49.8 year old.
Cortisone
TFM - Trans Fibrous Massage
Ultrasound - Not the guitar.
Move slowly... |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608
Location: Caribou, ME | Originally posted by MWoody:
Key words from a 49.8 year old.
I'm 49.75 so I'm right behind you (Aug 27).
In 2007 I took up walking. I worked up to 3 miles a day, not a lot but more than I was used to. April 30, 2007 I overdid it and the next day I couldn't stand up. It was the same pain as a toothache but it ran my whole right leg. Chiropractor, Emergency Room, MRI, Hydrocodone, Valium, and finally Demerol and Methylprednisolone. The steroid finally 'fixed' me, or at least made it so I could walk without a cane. That was almost exactly a month later. I do not remember May of 07. They tell me they used to sleep in shifts in case I got out of bed and wandered. One time I supposedly walked around with a handgun making the statement I was ready to get rid of the pain once and for all. A week after I came back to Earth I questioned why my gun locker had an extra padlock on it. Awkward silence. They added it to keep me out. In a fleeting moment of lucidity I had mounted a shelf on the living room wall to hold my laptop so I could check my email standing up. I found the shelf had been ripped from the wall, pulling the wall anchors out with it. Never did figure that one out but I suspect I did it.
They basically babysat me and even after I returned to work I had strict orders from my wife to call every hour so she would know I was okay. I weaned myself off the pain killers as quickly as I could, as I flew out to Bozeman to visit the Gibson factory for a few days in June. The plane ride from Boston to Denver almost brought tears.
I suffered with residual pain and lack of mobility for a year, with more chiropractor visits and yet another MRI. "You have bulging discs and they may be causing slight discomfort".
Slight discomfort.
I began googling it, which is against what the medical field would like us to do. After much research I learned about the piriformis muscle, which apparently I had done damage to in my overexerted walk. The sciatic nerve runs adjacent to it and in 20% of the population the nerve actually runs through the muscle. I began stretching excercises, which felt a lot like ripping a head of lettuce. After two more years I am pretty much back to normal except for my right leg falling asleep more often than normal.
My mother always told me "Don't ever get old" but I never listened to a word she ever said... |
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October 2005
Posts: 4075
Location: Utah | On my 47th birthday I felt like 17. Weight lifting 3 or 4 times per week, mountain biking, skiing, swimming, and running with the dogs on the mountain. I wasn't in the best shape of my life, that was fifteen years earlier climbing the Himalayas, but it was as close as a working stiff can get to that.
Then I herniated a couple disks in the lower back at work. It has been downhill from there. No more weights, no more skiing, no more running. Biking is limited to short stretches on the road.
The doc read me the riot act last time I was in, telling me to just do all those things, minus the heavy weights. Maybe the fear of additional injury is irrational, which the doc pretty much said. I'm ready for a change for the better at this point.
Someone said that inside every 50 yr old is a 21 yr old wondering what the hell happened. At 49 yrs old I already understand that. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I turn 57 in a few months and still play basketball 4-6 hours a week with a group of 25-41 year olds.
The next day my back hurts, my knees ache, and my body is pretty sore overall but it helps keep the weight down and I love doing it.
I was a good enough player in my youth that I can still hang with the younger guys and be competitive.
Lost most of the spring in my legs tho....went from being able to easily dunk to now barely clearing a single piece of 25# weight paper.
I also seem to have acquired the Professor's inability to avoid running into doors, walls, chairs, etc.
Outside of some mornings/days where my fingers feel really stiff and I have to stretch them out before I can play guitar, I feel pretty damn lucky. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Hope ya heal up fast, Patch!
I'm sure we've all had our 'bumps & bruises' and medical footnotes throughout our lives, but the discouraging fact is that the mending/healing process time is, at the least, directly proportional to our age. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Eight months of the year, I walk back and forth to the office, 2.7 miles each way, usually 4 times a week, carrying my office clothes and other gear in a backpack. I don't skimp on shoes, so its only Mephistos. During the other summer months, I do the commute on a bicycle since I get too hot walking. I also lift barbells, very light weights, but lots of reps. I'll hit 59 this summer. So far, only one knee has been an issue, and it was because of an odd twist during a stage performance. It never stopped me from doing anything and has since healed on its own, but it is something that I have to be sensitive about. That, and running into things. |
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I'm REALLY starting to hate middle age!
