Rough times

[Robert]

I fell on an icy patch in my garage and blacked out, and hit my head hard. 8 stitches and I looked like I had been in a late night bar fight. I've developed a vertigo problem from this, which I'm getting tested for.

But wait, that's not all! :D

As I was getting better, I played the same riff for too long, and my hand got very tired. I didn't think much about it, but it turned to tendonitis and it's now so sore I can't play guitar.

I'm not saying this because I want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just want to say, be careful! Don't walk on icy roads when it's dark, and don't play the same thing for too long like me.

Perhaps there's a member here who has had something similar with their hand?

It's the muscle between the thumb and the index finger that is very sore.

I ice it often, massage the area across the muscle fibers, I do the physiotherapy-prescriped stretches, and take aspirin.

It's been a month now.

[piebaldpython]

WOW. Sorry to hear that Robert. I fell twice this winter but both time, thanks to my ju-jitsu training, I landed squarely on my wallet in my left rear pocket.

As to that muscle.......good luck with that. Did the doc tell you to keep icing it? I had always thought you ice things for a day or two (to reduce swelling) and then add heat/warmth to promote blood flow. Keep us posted on your progress.

[duhvoodooman]

Did the doc tell you to keep icing it? I had always thought you ice things for a day or two (to reduce swelling) and then add heat/warmth to promote blood flow.
^ This.

You might also want to try a different NSAID pain reliever, like ibuprofen, and see if it works better for you than aspirin.

And sorry to hear you've been having such a rough time of late!

[Robert]

Did the doc tell you to keep icing it?

I have tried Ibuprofen and it hasn't helped, plus it gives me a stomach ache.

Yes, and thanks. Treating these problems is up for interpretation however. See https://www.painscience.com/articles/repetitive-strain-injuries.php

[Jipes]

So sorry to hear that Robert, icy roads are a real nightmare luckily in our region we have since years only mild winter with very little snow. As for tendinitis for what is might help I suffer from one on teh shoulder for years (Tennis practice) and I finally got rid of it by following a treatment based on impulsion it's called "Onde de choc" I don't know if you read french but I give you a link
http://www.chirurgie-orthopedique-paris.com/vous-allez-beneficier-dun-traitement-par-ondes-de-choc/

[Robert]

Thanks Jipes.

[Eric]

Ugh. Sorry to hear about your troubles, Bob. Hope your condition improves shortly.

[Tig]

I read about this in your newsletters but wanted to let you bring it up in the forum.

I've suffered a few severe concussions where I was unconscious for minutes and remembered very little of the day before them. It can take a several months for the brain to recover and return to normal, or for me, my normal state of abnormal. As for the psychological impact, it isn't uncommon to have a few new fears or mental blocks afterward.

For your hand, I highly recommend a hand specialist, especially since it is still painful and not improving as quickly as it should. If ibuprofen causes problems, consider acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Naproxen (Aleve).

[Jimi75]

Robert, I am sure you will heal completely. Sometimes life gives us a sign, maybe you should pause a little while and concentrate on something different. Give your hand some time to recover. I am happy to hear that you did not suffer severe head injury and the docs could Frankenstein good old Rob. Which Ibu did you take? Last year I had some problems with my wisdom tooth and I took Ibu 800 - I was koma-like, no kidding. After my sport injury I took Diclofenac which was very stomach friendly. Robert, all the best to you, you are a strong guy also mentally - you will overcome this, believe me.

[marnold]

Phew! That's not fun, and Robert. You know about my hand injury. I thought I was developing carpal tunnel (which they warned me was a possibility). Turns out it was a vertebra between my shoulders out of whack. One chiropractor visit later, all better. Snow shoveling seems to cause it again.

Hope you're back to normal soon!

[tjcurtin1]

Well, geez, Robert - we DO feel sorry for you, and for good reason! That's a lousy combination of blows, literally and figuratively! And at the most depressing time of the year (for me anyway)! Hang in there - you WILL bounce back from both of these. I agree though that you should go to a hand specialist if it doesn't improve. And I'm glad that the head injury wasn't more debilitating - if you're up and around, your body should be able to take care of it.

[poodlesrule]

Wow, get better soon!

Vertigo: Spouse had that for a while, was told a tiny "bit" of the inner ear stuff got dislodged (my rough explanation- see Wikipedia). Typical therapy is the "Epley maneuver". Spouse fixed hers two days before the final appointment by lifting the dog briskly, and by luck, the stuff snapped back in place, vertigo gone!

[MAXIFUNK]

Get Well Robert one of the nicest guys in cyberspace!! Take care

[Robert]

Thanks, things are going better this week! :)

[riverrick]

Oh man that really sucks Robert. Hoping you recover from all your aches and pains. Must be a real bummer for you. Get well soon buddy!!!

[guitartango]

Take care Robert, I am sure that your hand will get better, if not you could always play the drums ! :)

[piebaldpython]

Since it's your fretting hand.....time for 1 of 2 things......either slide guitar or lap steel guitar.

Tongue firmly in cheek here and wishing you well with God speed.

[helliott]

So sorry to hear this, and sorry to be late finding it. I know the vertigo thing is awful, as I have it due to an inner ear condition called meniere's disease. It s manageable but I hope that's not what you have. As for the hand, I had something similar a few years back, tried a few things and eventually took a month off playing, which was tough even for a crappy player like me. It did get better but I still get sore after frequent gigs and need time off and sometimes ice. Take care and receive all the good karma coming your way from friends and fans.

[Robert]

Thanks a lot!


Sent from my Macintosh telephone using Tapatalk.

[ZMAN]

I agree with Helliot. I had severe tendonitis in my elbow due to repetative overuse of the elbow. With Golf and baseball. I had to take a season off and let it heal. The doctors tried ultra sound and some other therapy, but in the end they recommended rest. After it healed I went back to my regular activities, but modified my practice time.
Your body is telling you that you are just playing too much guitar!

[Brian Krashpad]

Zoinks! Hope you're feeling better.

It's nice to not have to worry about slipping on ice. I've lived "up North" as a kid, and honestly don't miss harsh winters one bit.