Hi!
I have been spending more time on cake lately and my hands have been HURTING! Simple tasks like making a bed are proving to be painful (It's been a few days since my last cake).
How many of you have aching hands? What are some things you do for them??
Help!! I'm only 28 and falling apart
Thanks guys!
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I thought it was just me! I did a birthday cake last week and could not wait for Friday night to be here so I would be done with the cake and could do a parafin dip... hot parafin bath, wrapped in plastic bags, then wrapped in a towel to keep the heat in...mmmm... felt SO good...

I also use the hot parafin bath, and take some ibuprofen

I'm 28 too, and can totally relate! RI is killing me!

I take hot baths and keep my hands submerged.. make my husband give me hand massages (he's good at it)... and I loves me my rum! That helps pain like you wouldn't believe! (Usually in the form of one of my DH's amazing pina coladas!)

I'm 29, and I have permanent nerve damage in my hands and wrists, so my hands KILL me after making a cake. I use Advil, put my hands in braces and try to rest them as much as possible. It's a pretty good excuse to get the hubby to do some chores. "Honey, my hands hurt so bad, can you do the dishes?"

Well, I'm much older than you all, and have some arthritis in my hands. I take the arthritis formula aspirin BEFORE I start any cake project that involves a lot of bag-work (i.e. my pink/choc cake with all the dots has become known as "The Hand Cramp Cake" design!).

Taking it ahead of time helps prevent the pain from starting.

Taking rum ahead of time would likely have the same effect, right? >

The rum would probably work out well, as long as you're not trying to pipe straight lines...

Hey, seriously, here is something that works for arthritis. I thought my sister was nuts when she suggested it, but it really works.

My arthritis started out in one finger joint, which made it hard when you work on a keyboard all day. Sis bought it for me .... a copper ring to wear on that finger. It works!! It's actually the green oxidation from the ring that does something....because when I would take it off in the shower, then the green got washed away ... it would ache again until the green came back.

I have arthritis in my neck, but I'm not willing to get a copper necklace and wear a green oxidation ring around my neck yet!

My friend is a chiropractor and he has me do exercises to keep the muscles balanced on both sides of the wrist and forearm. Keeps away the carpal tunnel, and it's working for me. Rest your arm on something that allows your hand to move up and down freely, holding a light weight or water bottle with your palm towards the floor (I do this in the car) lift your hand with the weight up and back down to line up with your wrist. This works the opposite muscles in the wrist and arm from the ones you use to pipe with. Like I said, I do it in the car on the way to and from work so it doesn't take time out of my day.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and I can heartily recommend the parafin baths! I have one large enough to put my feet in (one at a time) and it really does work wonders. It isn't just temporary relief, it actually helps to make the inflamation better.

I also second the preventative pain reliever. If you don't mind taking it, try taking some half an hour before you begin decorating and make sure to soak your hands when you finish...each time.

And, I even know some rheumatoid patients who have gotten relief from copper. Like our Remicade nurse said, what can it hurt to try? I also know people who get relief from magnets. Neither have done anything for me, but some things just can't hurt to try.

I've learned to use my braces as soon as I feel discomfort. Sometimes just sleeping in them one night makes all the difference.

I think there are some simple things you can do that will help enormously. But you have to get your pain in check first.

You read my mind. I have been working on a cake for a competition. I don't cover cakes with fondant much. I decided to do a 4 tier square cake that is just not working for me. I tried covering the board (took 3 times) then the 12" square (3 times as well) which didn't work and I trashed it out of frustration. I then decided to do it as a three tier. We'll it took me 2 times to do the 10". I have no problem covering round cakes, but the square dummy is awful. I even rounded the corners. Anyway, my palms, fingers and arms hurt soooo much from coloring and rolling fondant. I don't even think I am going to be able to do this competiton cake.

LOL Debi

My mom uses something like this:
http://www.walgreens.com/dbimagecache/303358.jpg

I'll check it out! It gets tiring explaining to people that I'm wearing a neck brace because of arthritis, not because of a car wreck!

Oh man... I have CTS. Got it from cake decorating. Actually it probably started when I was a florist... but, the cake decorating seems to have agitated it to new heights. I wake up in the night and can't feel my fingers. Sooo... I have vitamin b12 which helps some... sleep with braces on... and ibuprofen... hmmmm..... but I am considering FlowerGirls cure....

Well I'll let yall in on my secret...

In the winter time it's called a CocoaNutter...

One LARGE Coffee Mug
2 packs of GOOD hot chocolate mix
water to 1/2 inch from top of cup
microwave until hot and steamy
Add Malibu Coconut Rum (white bottle not too expencive) until it reaches the top but still enough room ya don't spill it walkin back to the table

It's delicious and doesn't get ya drunk too quick leaving enough time to get the cake done

Also having a hubby that is good at massages is good too... also Tylenol Arthritis, Aleve, or Motrin... PLUS the CocoaNutter

oooh.. that sounds good.

And Shaela! Woo! Another florist!

oooh.. that sounds good.

And Shaela! Woo! Another florist!

I have arthritis, something in my right wrist. I'm only 18. My wrist has been KILLING me for forever, I finally decided I need to go to the doctor, but both of my parents switched occupations and the insurance didn't kick in until yesterday. So we were almost three months without it. But tomorrow, I'm finally going to the doctor. Whatever it is probably came from playing the flute for seven years in school. Especially in high school, sometimes playing it for 4 hours+ during marching season.

heyjude, it's probably carpol tunnel.... comes from many different things but is best known from sitting at a computer for hours on end lol

I'm only 28 almost 29 in Jan lol, but mine kill me something awful with piping and typing for long periods of time, maybe on day it'll get better lol

Oh me! Well I am all for alternative medicine!

My homeopathic doctor told me to to to GNC and get alfalfa tablets (anti-inflammatory) and take 4 a day. No interactions with anything.

Also I get the light grape juice and take one packet of Certo and mix them together, drink 8oz twice a day. You can find the Certo on the isle with the cake mixes and sugar in Walmart.

This is good for all types of arthritis and carpal tunnel...takes about 3 days to really feel the effects. She says part of the pain is that the area is inflamed...so I also try to eat anti-inflammatory foods as well.

Hope this helps! Awnee

Thanks guys!! It seems like there is a theme here..... lots of drinks, lots of drugs... HUMMMMMM No wonder I love doing cakes!

Seriously, I will try ALL the things mentioned.
Indydebi- I can see WHY that cake took so long... it's gorgeous and flawless too!
I would love to use the old hubby for a massage, but he thinks I am making this up!

So one question... what is a parrafin bath?
Ouch! My hands hurt too much to type anymore....
Thanks again!

The Parrafin bath is a wax treatment that is basically just like soaking your feet

I can't give anymore details because I've never done one but I have investigated it

How about this one:

I burned myself pretty bad on caramelized sugar on Saturday. Two blisters formed across my upper pinky/knuckle.

I'm a little red around the burn wounds.. I'm a bit worried about thr throbbing though. Seriously starting to worry that I did nerve damage - hurts to touch it, hurts to move it - they really aren't very big at all.

Anyone know how to deal with THAT kinda pain? Rum doesn't seem to be helping.

I know this sounds odd...I have carpal tunnel and when my hands ache I soak them in hot water(not burning hot, just hot enough) and liquid Vicks Vapor Rub. OMG! It feels so good. Try it in a foot bath as well.

FlowergirlMN- I'm SO sorry!

I have no idea, except for when we are burned badly we use Aloe Vera. straight from a plant- or some of that burn gel with a pain reliver in it. And I also use this spray stuff they give you when you have babies.... for ... down there.... it's a pain reliver too.

One of the best tips I ever got to PREVENT pain in your hands was from the Wilton Master Decorator Course. It's very, very simple...

...don't put a lot of icing in your bag...1/4 - 1/2 full...no more. It is amazing how much better my hands are since I quit trying to fill my piping bag to the brim to keep from having to stop and fill it again.

I'm a registered nurse and I sometimes think Ibuprofen could cure cancer!! It's an anti-inflammatory as well as pain medication.

You know you are all making me feel pretty good about myself right now. I didn't start getting achy hands until age 40. After hearing about all you guys in your 20's with the same problem, I'm sort of feeling like a spring chicken!

I have the cure though guys. You're gonna love it

Get pregnant! Yes, cake decorating made my joints ache like crazy. I got pregnant at 40 and lo and behold, no achy joints. You know, pregnancy hormones make your joints and cartilage more flexible. Bad news is after the baby the joint pain came back with a vengance.

Hmmm, if we could only think of a way to bottle my idea

Sorry I'm no help but I love reading everyone's cures.