[Jim]

My right hand is really starting to piss me off. I'm going to get myself a doctors appointment in the next few days to hopefully get a referal but was intrested in what people think is up with my hand.
The first condition is that it doesn't sweat, not at all, ever. secondly my little finger when it get slightly cold goes completely white and numb and stays this way until it get fully warmed up. Its only the little finger that this happens to. Thirdly the second joint on the other 3 fingers has started to become quite painfull at times, mostly when not climbing.
I have had slight problems with both my right shoulder and elbow at times as well. This leads me to think I've got some trapped nerves somewhere (this, I think would explain the non-sweating thing) would it account for the rest of my symptoms? and is the best course of action to see my doctor first and take it from there?
Thanks for any theories/advice etc...

[andy popp]

The little finger sounds quite a lot like Raynauds possibly (though I don't know if it can be restricted to a single digit). However, Raynaud's can be associated with arthritis and other auto-immune diseases - hence aching joints? But that is all a bit doom-mongery. Obviously your best waiting for fatdoc, GCW etc. to post.

[nai]

. secondly my little finger when it get slightly cold goes completely white and numb and stays this way

I had this the other day, my missus (who is a doc) said it was the ulna nerve being trapped.  Which supports your theory:

This leads me to think I've got some trapped nerves somewhere

she offered no remedy unfortunately....

[Jim]

it sounds a lot like Raynauds to me.
They have got a whole website just for it as well http://www.raynauds.org.uk/

[GCW]

It's quite possible to have Reynaud's plus another issue, the formerbeing pretty common.

Sweating wise- did it ever sweat?  ie is the anhydrosis new?

Guess my advice....

Good luck with it.

[Jim]

I don't remember if my right hand ever sweated.
Whats your advice then, laughter cures everything?

[GCW]

Nah, get someone to punch you in the face.  Very hard.
It'll take your mind off it for a while.

You're doing the right thing having someone look at it.

[shurt]

if you have a few different pains and aches they might all be a symptom of something you are doing or the way you are doing something. i had a similar collection of ailments (sore R shoulder, and elbows) and saw an osteopath who had treated lots of climbers and he was really helpful - not sure it would help your little finger though.

turns out i wasn't climbing properly...

[webbo]

jim
i'm right in thinking you are a baker.is the hand you mainly use for hot stuff the problem one.several people i know who handle hot things have very hard skin/don't sweat etc

[Jim]

nothing to do with baking I'm afraid, we do handle hot tins/lids etc... but the line I mostly work on it is all done by robots

[Twiglett]

Hi Jim

I suffer from the white finger issues you mention, aswell as the sore joints. I've never been to the doc's about it so I would be intested in hearing what they say, but i assumed it was raynauds.

I've found that hand reflexology treatments seem to help increase blood flow to hands and reduce pain, though the opnly thing I've found for the raynauds is a thick pair of gloves!

Ben

[Jim]

I've found that hand reflexology treatments

Is that just massaging the fingers?
I'll let you know what the quacks says

[Twiglett]

basically yeah, but it helps get the blood around and break down scar tissue too I think.  all of it good in my book

[a dense loner]

do accapi not make gloves?

[Jaspersharpe]

Only £60.........

http://www.accapi.co.uk/products/bodyguard/bodyguard_action/Under-Gloves.html

[T_B]

  i know but

http://www.accapi.co.uk/products/Photonizer/Photonizer-Bottle-Covers/Photonizer-Small-Large.html

 

[slackline]

i know but

http://www.accapi.co.uk/products/Photonizer/Photonizer-Bottle-Covers/Photonizer-Small-Large.html

 

  Wooly condoms for plastic bottles   

[Plattsy]

It we're straying from topic here's the cycling version

"I've been a Photoniser user for just over three weeks, and I'm speechless at the performance and value offered by this product. I've certainly noticed the difference in my liquid refreshment, the clever use of infrared rays having a real beneficial effect, especially in extremes of weather. I've also noticed that the product has an additional bonus on comfort levels for portability of my drink, which really surprised me given the fact it seems such a simple design on the face of things."

[Jaspersharpe]

"comfort levels for portability of my drink"

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?! Fuck me, how much nonsense can you fit in one paragraph!?

Oh look, you can write reviews of their products on the website.

[clm]

You hang 15 stone off 1/2 inch wide digits and wonder why the shit hits the fan? 

[mrjonathanr]

My grandfather used to have arthritis in his hands which made distance driving difficult. He used to melt a few candles in an old pan, pour into plastic gloves and insert his hands till it had cooled. Presumably increased blood flow did the trick. It certainly reduced pain.

[webbo]

this sounds like a macho version of the hot oil manicure that my trainee beauty therapist daughter did on my battered fingers the other night.

[dobbin]

I went and got my back cracked by a chiro. Almost instantly fixed. Can recommend a great one in Harrogate.

[Jim]

what problem did you have Ben?

Got white finger in my middle finger yesterday as well so its spreading. Been at college all week and hopefully be seeing the quack on monday

[GCW]

Middle finger doesn't tend to be Ulnar nerve (but never say never) so it may be a circulation problem like Reynaud's.  You're lucky you don't smoke or it'd make it worse.