Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Feb 1, 2020 4:03:17 GMT -5
I have been having some hand issues which I have ignored for a few years. Over the last few months the issues hit a point where I couldn't ignore them anymore. Trouble closing my hands and extreme discomfort forced me to go see my doctor.
After some testing and x-rays I was diagnosed this week with moderate & severe osteoarthritis. Moderate in my fingers and elbows, severe in my thumbs, and the added bonus of moderate/severe nerve damage in my hands. Not exactly a diagnosis I was looking for at 54.
I am told if I want to have any meaningful use of my hands when I'm 60, I need to make some changes. One of those changes is to immediately stop using certain types of power tools. Topping the list of tools I use which cause the most damage are my cabbing machines and grinders. Cabbing did not cause the problems but it does exacerbate the condition.
Much as it sucks, and it really, really, sucks; it looks like my lapidary time is pretty much over. I am going to try and finish some of what I have in progress, start shedding my equipment and material, then close down my Etsy shop. I will likely be posting material to the RTH Marketplace over the next few months when I start packing things up.
I got started with a rock tumbler in 2013 and quickly moved into cabs and spheres. It really became a passion/obsession. Not the having, but the making. It was a good run and I am unhappy that it is over.
I haven't been active much on RTH over the last two years, though I have lurked quite a bit and quietly enjoyed the work of so many talented lapidaries. RTH is what inspired me to start this trip and this community gave me encouragement, advice, and several good friends. I am very grateful.
Roger
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Post by fernwood on Feb 1, 2020 4:39:08 GMT -5
So sorry to hear about this. I can sympathize, as I have moderate arthritis in my hands, neck and back.
I found many treatments that not only helped with the pain/lack of movement, but also corrected some of the damage.
Encourage you to not give up the quest for appropriate treatments.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Feb 1, 2020 4:45:38 GMT -5
Wow that really sucks. I know what it’s like to lose hobbies and feel your pain. I only hope that you’re able to find another that you can enjoy just as much without worsening your conditions. My best wishes to you my friend.
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Post by MsAli on Feb 1, 2020 7:19:12 GMT -5
Roger I absolutely love your work and it really makes me sad to see you have to stop doing this.
My wish is that you find something that gives you joy and no pain.
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Post by HankRocks on Feb 1, 2020 8:13:17 GMT -5
Roger, that's a tough break. Just curious if your Doctor prescribed any type of medications? There are some that can help. Unfortunately some of those have not so good side-effects.
You might look into the benefits of a more Plant Based diet and it's affect on Arthritis. There are a few studies that show switching to a more plant based diet can help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis. My Primary Care physician is a strong believer in Plant Based approach to good health. Her first questions to any new patient is about their diet and their lifestyle. Let's see if we can improve some things by just making slight adjustments to the patients diet and lifestyle. Obviously there are ailments that require medication and she will prescribe them as needed.
Two things. 1) I am not a Doctor, mine is just free advice so take that for what it's worth. 2) This is a bit selfish on my part, you do such nice work, hate to see it go away. Why don't you hold off selling everything until you have had a chance to look into some things.
Hope this did not seem to forward on my part.
Henry
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 1, 2020 8:20:42 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear your bad news. Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you didn't just disappear. I know many of us aging artists have issues with our hands. Maybe someone can make some recommendations for you. I know CDB balm really works for many people for the pain. I have had to give up some things I love, so I know a little about what you are going through.
Your work is exemplary and you have been a source of inspiration for a lot of us. I hope you find an outlet that is just as enjoyable for you. You will rise to the top in whatever else you do. Your hands are too important to take this likely, as you know, and I sincerely hope you can stop the destruction at this point.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 1, 2020 10:14:12 GMT -5
Roger, I've always looked forward to seeing your cabs when you post them up. They are always stunning and inspiring. I'm so sorry to hear this news and I hope that you can control the arthritis.
It is my hope that even if you can't do lapidary anymore, you'll still stick around, post and be a mentor to the folks that are just starting out. The quality of your work is something that folks can set as a goal to achieve (it is for me).
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Feb 1, 2020 14:45:26 GMT -5
HankRocks Not forward at all. I appreciate the tips. Thank you fernwood At this point it is apparently about anti-inflammatories and pain management. The lose of cartilage and bone damage isn't something they tell me is treataisn't something they tell me is treatable. The goal is to reduce new damage. MsAli Thanks Ali. I may try to take up silver work again and see how that goes.. hummingbirdstones Thanks Robin. I will probably lurk the boards. If the silverworking is something I can start up again and do reasonably well, I may post. If I can't get it pulled together I will probably fade off. Not being able to create but only look would drive me crazy. rockjunquie Thank you Tela. I knew you would understand it right away. This really sucks for me. Lapidary became a huge part of my life quickly. After walking away from architecture it became my primary artistic outlet and and my primary source of stress relief. The success of my Etsy shop and custom work had me thinking I had also found my retirement plan. Losing those things is difficult but they pale in comparrison to losing further hand function. Its a no brainer. I can't mess with losing further function with my hands. If I can finish up some of the works in progress that I have and if they turn out okay, I will post them
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,728
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 1, 2020 15:05:06 GMT -5
I'm really sorry to hear of your problem Roger . Your cab work is top-notch and I'll miss seeing your work. I live in daily fear of the same issue but so far I've been blessed. As I've aged (and I'm much older than you) I've noticed a slight loss of hand flexibility and a couple of my fingers have occasional arthritic episodes. But I'm still able to manipulate even tiny stones on the wheels by hand, for which I'm very thankful. I truly sympathize with your frustration at not having this creative outlet. It's a life-line for me and to lose it would would be a huge personal blow. Keep on with the silver work and give us reports on your progress. Best wishes!
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Post by stardiamond on Feb 1, 2020 16:15:27 GMT -5
Last June, my left thumb started to really hurt. I went to the doctor and he said arthritis and to try not to use my left thumb. I didn't cab for a few weeks, iced the thumb and tried to do things as if I had no left thumb. It calmed down and I resumed activities trying to use my thumb as little as possible including lapidary. My right thumb also has arthritis but not as bad. I also had started to take prescription anti inflammatory for a bad hip and I suppose that helps.
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 627
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Post by AzRockGeek on Feb 2, 2020 20:57:19 GMT -5
I am sorry to hear the sad news!!! I have been missing your post's of your spheres you were making. I hope it all works out for you and you find new hobbies you enjoy as much.
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Feb 4, 2020 10:02:42 GMT -5
Very sorry to hear about your osteoarthritis problem, hopefully you can find a way to stay engaged in the lapidary community.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 4, 2020 10:41:00 GMT -5
Damn Roger, that sucks! Have you tried CBD oils or etc... They don't take the problem away, but help with comfort... As said hopefully you find a way to stay at doing Lapidary...
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Post by roy on Feb 4, 2020 11:29:33 GMT -5
man that really sucks sorry Buddy!!
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,958
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Post by victor1941 on Feb 4, 2020 22:33:30 GMT -5
Roger, I also feel that you are too young to have such problems. I would consider a second opinion to see if any worthwhile help is available. You cabs are excellent and I will miss your work. Best of luck.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,592
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Post by Tommy on Feb 6, 2020 17:27:20 GMT -5
Sincerely sorry to hear this Roger. I consider you one of my mentors - you encouraged me to dive in to selling on Etsy and how to do it and helped me create a monster that lasted a few years. Like you, I also joined the forum in 2013 with just a rock tumbler then went all in on cabbing, to make and sell. By last year (also 54 yo) I had developed such severe pain from my fingertips to my shoulders - mostly concentrated in wrists and forearms. I never went to the Dr. but I pretty much quit cabbing and now eight months or so later the pain is mostly gone. A couple days ago I started grinding a cabochon for the traveling box game and so far so good so I'm optimistic about starting to do it occasionally again. If there's a moral in all this I would say as a fellow sufferer maybe just let things sit for a while. Sounds like your decisions are made but maybe wait a year or so of idle time before making a decision about selling off your equipment? IDK
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