 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-03-21 01:19
Hi, folks. I've checked your archives relative to this topic and have read lots about thumb rests and their positions, neck straps, cushions, etc. Here's my situation, looking to see if anyone else has experienced this.
I seem to be suffering from arthritic growths in the joints of my fingers the last year or so, they are quite like those my mother had, so I've assumed (maybe incorrectly) that that's what they are. However, a quite nasty one has been appearing on my right thumb, to the left portion of where we all rest our clarinets. It is quite sore, as are the other allegedly arthritic areas on my fingers. Obviously, I need to stop pretending I'm a doctor and see one with a medical degree, but does anyone know what can be done for this lump? Is surgery the only solution? It's beginning to look as though some sort of sub-thumb is going to sprout from there.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Sue
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Author: VermontJM
Date: 2005-03-21 01:30
I think you're right- a doctor is needed.
Right off, I would say to get a neck strap, to take pressure off of your thumb as much as possible- you don't want to make it worse.
I'm sorry you have to go through this- it really sucks. I hope you can get some help from a doc.
Best wishes!
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-03-21 01:34
I've had a pretty sizeable lump (callous which has calcified?) on my right thumb since I was a teenager. It sometimes gets pretty sore.
I think it just goes with the territory. Or are you saying it's not the usual "clarinet callous," but something else?
Susan
(who actually does have the remains of what used to be an extra thumb on the other side of her clarinet callous)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-03-21 02:09
Are we talking about Rheumatoid Arthritis? If that's the case than there is medication which you can/should get from your Doctor. He would do an RF test to determine what your Rheumatoid factor is and treat if necessary, etc.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/rheumatoid.html
Typically if that is the case, than you would have it pretty much equally (both knees instead of just one knee, etc.)
I'm not a Doctor, I just play one on TV 
I do know a ton about the hands as I've studied them greatly with the problems that I'm had in the past.
Obviously as Mark would/will say "go see your Doctor, don't get advice here on that" 
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-21 02:23
I hope someone has suggested the use of a thumb-rest cushion, sponge rubber or a 1/4 inch of rubber tubing, it sure spreads the "load" and eases the pain. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-03-21 03:35
In any case, not one of us is qualified to do ANY diagnosis. See a doctor, find out what it is, and let us know.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-03-21 14:01
I agree with the recommendation to take the weight off your right hand with either a neck strap or one of those stands that actually holds the clarinet for you taking weight completely off.
I, too, am an arthritis sufferer and also have Fibromyalgia. I've had lots of problems with my hands and find gentle exercise--such as squeezing a ball and flexing--to be beneficial. But, you should get a diagnosis before relying on any of our advise.
Hope you get relief soon.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-03-22 21:21
Thank you all for your advice. Yes, I do have a thumb cushion, although the area with the lump is not where I hold my clarinet, it's on the other side of my thumb. Now, I've looked into neck straps. Excuse me for being a dinosaur - but where, exactly, do you attach the neck strap? I can't tell you how much I appreciate having a place where I feel comfortable enough to ask these questions.
By the way - I made an appointment with the doctor. Will keep you posted. Thanks.
Sue
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2005-03-22 21:33
Hook it round the thumbrest - leather thong is common attachment.
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