skip to main content

Quilter's Elbow - anyone else?

14 years ago

I was at the doctor's office last week for a routine blood test. When the nurse asked me to squeeze a rubber ball to pop up the vein -OMG! it HURT!

I had been having a bit of trouble with my left elbow, and I assumed it was a touch of arthritis pain. It's not, it's tendonitis, also know as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and many other conditions.

I have been pressing too hard on my ruler while cutting. I may try one of those suction cup handles made for rotary cutting. I know one thing - I will not give up quilting!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

damascusannie
14 years ago
I have it, too, but not because of quilting (although unfortunately that does aggravate it), mine is the result of hyperextension injuries from my years working with our horses. Quite painful and will probably never go away. FM quilting is pretty bad for mine, which is why I have to pace myself when machine quilting, but hand-quilting is bad, too, and oddly enough mostly in the arm that's underneath the quilt.
rosajoe_gw
14 years ago
I have it my thumbs and knees. I understand about not giving up quilting!!
Mine is my right knee and I guess I put more pressure on it when I stand to use my rotary cutter. Tried sitting to cut and it just doesn't work for me.
And my left thumb and I am right handed, I agree Annie, odd.
I do exercises for both and I use the smelly arthritis junk at night.
Ice packs help my thumb but not my knee.
I pace my self too.
Rosa
Related Discussions
Cat_mom or anyone else with Grohe Ladylux Cafe faucet?
Q
Comments (13)
I have the Grohe Ladylux Plus. I cannot comment on your clearance question, cause I had sufficient clearance. As to the reach, I think it's perfect on the Ladylux "Plus" style (#33.737). I am not so sure on the more arched "Cafe" style (#33.758) you are looking at. I am 5'3" with short arms. One reason I did not want one of the arch-style faucets was because I felt I'd have to reach too far. I think the Ladylux Plus is the perfect distance over my rectangular sink. Also, it does not splash. Another difference of the "Plus" style vs. the "Cafe" style is that the Plus's sprayer defaults back to regular flow when you turn off the water. It is my understanding (someone correct me if I am wrong) that the Cafe style stays on the last setting you had it. So if you had the Cafe faucet on spray, then turned off the water, then came back to the sink and turned on the water again, it would be on spray. I preferred the flow to go back to regular automatically, but that's my personal preference. Here is a link that might be useful: Grohe Ladylux Plus Faucet in Chrome
...See More
Anyone else get painful skin splits on fingers?
Q
Comments (46)
normally no...but this week has been a killer...my lips are chapped and hurting...and my thumbs both have splits...I usually lather on Lanolin grease I got thru Amazon and sleep in gloves...that clears it up in a couple of days...Hubby ordered four huge bottles of Amlactin for Christmas...he uses it and we sent a bottle to his Mother and gave the other ones to the kids...it doesn't work for me...I got a bottle subscribed a few years ago and hubster ended up using it...Now that its on Amazon he loves it! There is a lanolin grease called Lansinoh you can find at some drugstores and also back in the baby department at Walmart...its sold for nursing mothers...lather some of that on your hands and sleep in gloves...you'll be amazed at the results! I think every one of our bodies are different and you just have to keep searching till you find what works for you!!
...See More
Anyone else ready to cry, scream, or give up? Contractor venting here!
Q
Comments (39)
Ok. I actually know this one. (Anyone not looking to know about Acrylpro should skip this whole entry.) If your tile is larger than 6x6 you cannot use Acrylpro over redgaurd. Period. Really. Even according to the people that make it. Redguard (a waterproofing membrane) and Acrylpro are both made by custom building products. From the horse's mouth ... You can find that under "technical/installation" and here's the link ... http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/products/setting-materials/mastics-adhesives/acrylpro-ceramic-tile-adhesive.aspx# And here's the phone number ... Notice it states you can use it on tile up to 8" but that isn't when used over redgaurd, as you can tell in the first screen capture. I had 6x24 tile. When I mentioned we can't use Acrylpro my guy said, "what do you do all day?" "I do it all the time and it's never been a problem." I showed him the screen capture and it stopped him in his tracks. He just said, "what do you want me to use instead." That's when I called the helpline. You need to use a MODIFIED thinset - one that comes in a powder form and you have to mix it. Here's what I texted my guy ... We didn't get the brand they quoted but my guy took it to heart and read the fine print and brought back the only thinset at HD that was rated for large tile. More from the help line (I called back three times and each guy was great) ... "Anything pre-mixed in a bucket is mastic, not thinset. Any contractor knows this." (No, they don't.) "If you have redgaurd and large tile it's like sticking the lid on the bucket and the Acrylpro won't dry." (Or like water between two sheets of plastic.) "Thinset cures chemically." (Aaaah, that's why.) Google thinset vs. mastic. Or don't because it will freak you out that your guy is even considering using mastic. You might also want to ask what kind of grout he's going to use since there's new grout that doesn't need to be sealed and won't stain or grow mold.
...See More
does this happen to anyone else
Q
Comments (12)
The strange thing is that it your symptoms do go away without any medical treatment, but eventually reappear again. This is less indicative of a bacterial infection, as they usually require an antibiotic to go away. Odd as it sounds, sometimes eyes fill up with goop and run when they are overly dry. My right eye did the same as yours, except mine never started with a red eye. I went to an eye doctor and he did a test on it to see how much normal lubrication that eye was producing. Turns out I was suffering from dry eye syndrome. He gave me some sample eyedrops, but they didn't help much. He then told me to start taking Omega 3 fish oil capsules, because they help replenish the eye's natural lubrication. That did the trick and I've never suffered from goopy, runny eye syndrome since then. It was a relief, after having had it for about 4 years! But please go see a doctor, because you could have something completely different and as stated earlier, eye problems need a professional evaluation.
...See More
bozogardener
14 years ago
I have major arthritis in both thumbs, which is bad for hand quilting and machine quilting. I have to wear a thumb brace on my right hand when quilting. Nothing else (so far).
magothyrivergirl
14 years ago
I have major joint and muscle pain all the time. If I may offer a suggestion - ask your doctor about Voltaren Gel- a sample to try would be nice - it is a topical gel that is non greasy, no stinky smelly odor, and no heat. You only use a teeny amt for each sore area. It is a wonder drug for me, and harmless (as harmless as any thing you put on your skin can be anyway). The relief is immediate. It is specifically for tendinitis, I believe.
I am not in the medical profession ~ so speak to your Doctor. Pain is not something most ordinary Docs are good at dealing with - so you may need to see one who specializes in Pain.
kathi_mdgd
14 years ago
They were talking about that Voltaren gel on Breast cancer.org.Several of the gals were singing it's praises for arthritis type pain.I'm planning on asking the doc for some,or a prescription.
Kathi
nanajayne
14 years ago
I have had different situations where tendonitis was the under lying problem. As orthopedics was my area of nursing I am friends with some of the surgeons. They helped me with cortisone shots to the area. It might be something to ask your Dr. about. The Valtaren gel sound interesting. I may have to investigate. Jayne
smokiescrafter
14 years ago
My DH has a back and heel problem, his orthopedic doctor said because of other medical conditions he is not a candidate for the Voltaren tablets, but did give him a sample of Voltaren Gel to try and see if he could tolerate it. After one application of it - he had a reaction and was sick for a couple of days and took him a week to get to feeling back to normal. Look up the side effects and warnings before you jump into taking it if you have other medical conditions.
Just my 2 cents. Would hate to see a fellow quilter as sick as he was.

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR Houzz Tour: Elbow Grease and Steel Create a Modern Texas Farmhouse

By Mitchell Parker

Talk about DIY. This couple acted as architect, interior designer and general contractor to build a one-of-a-kind home on a budget

MUDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Mudroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a utilitarian mudroom snazzier and better organized with these cheap and easy ideas

BEDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Master Bedroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make your bedroom a serene dream with easy moves that won’t give your bank account nightmares

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Living Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Spiff up your living room with very little effort or expense, using ideas borrowed from covetable ones

COLORFUL HOMES My Houzz: A 1904 Georgian Colonial Gets a Personal Stamp

By Hoi Ning Wong

Art with a sense of humor rubs elbows with 17th-century features in a 7-bedroom home in a tony Silicon Valley neighborhood

LIFE Table Manners for Modern-Day Dining

By Laura Gaskill

Elbows and cell phones? Maybe. Forgetting to say 'thank you'? No way. Our mealtime etiquette guide takes the guesswork out of group dining

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: An Opposite-Tastes Couple Finds a Happy Medium

By Cynthia Lynn Photography

Cherished antiques rub elbows with contemporary furnishings in this intimate-feeling open-plan Chicago condo

CLOSETS Get It Done: Attack the Coat Closet

By Becky Harris

With a concrete plan and a little elbow grease, you can tame your jumble of jackets in a single afternoon

REMODELING GUIDES One Big Happy Expansion for Michigan Grandparents

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

No more crowding around the Christmas tree. Friends and extended family now have all the elbow room they need, thanks to a smart addition

KITCHEN CABINETS 9 Ways to Get Low-Maintenance Kitchen Cabinets

Save valuable elbow grease and time with these ideas for easy-to-maintain cabinets

More Discussions

I came across an oriental fan pattern.....

5

Sailing/quilting update

3

Children's cancer quilt

4

7

Well, it's finished, and my husband loves it

3