Would you give up baking because of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Becker on August 31, 2011 at 2:07pm

Been there - done that - it works!!

Linda Wolff said:

 

The wrist strap that has the metal insert was the best for me, and I would highly recommend it, especially at night time. It is washable, and don't go cheap on yourself. Get one of the better ones. Whenever you are not decorating, keep that wrist band on. I truly hope the best for you! Take care!

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Permalink Reply by Jay Qualls on August 31, 2011 at 3:01pm

Hi there Majka,

Like yourself and many others in this industry, it is very important to take care of and protect our hands.  After all this is what makes our living!  I would tell you to first and foremost, do what the doctor instructs you to do to heal and recover.  I would then say, that you may be limited with piping depending on the extent of the damage or surgical procedure you had.  However, if you are a fondant user, I think my "Fondant Fabric" will certainly remove any of the extreme over-use of your hands, wrists, and arms.  It is literally ready for you to apply right to the cake out of the package.  It is a premium product used in the market place today and is delicious!  I think you should try and and see what you think.  The link to my store so you can watch the video to see me use it, you can visit http://store.jayqualls.com.  Let me know what you think and I wish you a speedy recovery!  Hugs, Jq

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Permalink Reply by mary hnatyszyn on August 31, 2011 at 3:30pm

omg!!!! that fondant fabric is amazing ,wish they sold it here in england ,i like you all have problems ,arthiritis and knee replacement numbness the list goes on ,but i can't give up i have cut down though ,if i have free time my hands cease up, so i think although painful it keeps me sane and keeps the depression away ,all the best x

 

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Permalink Reply by Juliet on August 31, 2011 at 4:48pm

Majka, please listen to me. I had CTS surgery on both hands (moderate CTS) in 2007 and now I do medical transcription and cake decorating. You will eventually lose all your ability if you continue arduous work without surgery. CTS only gets worse, and the sooner your get it "fixed" the higher your chances of successful recovery and ability to continue doing what you love to do. If you wait too long, you may not get back your old abilities. The "endoscopic" or "carpal tunnel release" surgery is such a little surgery. You can get it done while your awake or go under mild sedation if you are squeemish like me. Two weeks, and your hands will be feeling good again. Don't do what I did (both hands at once- then you can't even open a door or go to the washroom by yourself for a couple of days). Do one at a time (separated by a about month). Scar will heal over several months, just a few stiches. Check out this link www.mycarpaltunnel.org. Hope this option will work for you! Please don't wait.

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Permalink Reply by becky brockman on August 31, 2011 at 7:31pm

well now i'm really nervous because i'm having the same problem..right hand going numb, not able to squeeze the bag the way i did 17 years ago...but i will not give up decorating, now that theres a big demand for fondant i will do more of them instead of so much BC...just gotta start ordering Jay's 'Fondant Fabric'...he makes it look like so much fun!!!

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Permalink Reply by Dori Cordle on August 31, 2011 at 9:42pm

Hello,   I had CTS in both hands and have had surgery on both.  I don't regret it for a moment and quite glad I did.  I always wanted to learn decorating and couldn't because of the loss of strength and numbness in my hands.  After surgery I took classes and have now been decorating for over a year in my spare time.  Surgery one hand at a time, 2 weeks out of work and then gradually back to normal.  No regrets!  Hope that helps some. 

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Carty Smart on August 31, 2011 at 9:48pm

I had CTS surgery in March, and I'm finally getting my hand strength back.  When I had the surgery, I'd had CTS for about 10 yrs or so, and had gotten to the point where it hurt so bad at night, I couldnt' sleep, and I was dropping things.  If you decide to have the surgery, DEFINITELY go for physical therapy after.  I didn't, but a friend that did recovered much faster.  I tend to do a lot more fondant work and less piping now, while I get my strength back.  I had a period of time where I wished I hadn't had the surgery, but now that I have enough strength to hold a hairbrush and open a jar, I'm glad I did.  lol  My biggest downside is that every time it rains, my hand hurts soooo bad.  I have my own personal barometer.

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Permalink Reply by Debra Bergeron on August 31, 2011 at 11:10pm

I had the surgery done on both hands several years ago, and my hands are like brand new.  I have not had a problem with them since.  Whether I was doing cakes or not, the pain was just too much for me to continue with.  I don't know why surgery is off-putting to you, but I have not regretted it for one second.

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Permalink Reply by JJ Becker on September 1, 2011 at 8:56am

Pain is momentary, passion is endless... Honestly, there're  two kinds of people in this business.  The ones that play through the pain, and the ones that don't.  I've got all kinds of problems with my hands from arthritis to Dupuytren's, I do what I can to deal with the pain and arrest the symptoms, but ultimately, this is my business, this is my livlihood, I can't go back and choose a new career.  I've resigned myself to the fact that this is going to wreck my hands, I just hope I can make enough intelligent business decisions before that happens so that by the time I've piped my last border, I'll be in a position where I can sit at the cash register and watch someone else work, pour coffee, shmooze customers, and maybe even spend the summer on a tropical beach somewhere.

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Permalink Reply by JEANNETTE SANKER on September 1, 2011 at 10:07am

OMG FONDANT FABRIC WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT IT LOOKS SO EASY I BET IT IS AND I AM A BEGINNER SO I BET THIS IS WHAT I WOULD NEED MY ONLY QUESTION IS AFTER YOU COVER YOUR CAKE CAN U RE-ROLL THE LEFT OVER FONDANT AND USE FOR OTHER THINGS?

Jay Qualls said:

Hi there Majka,

Like yourself and many others in this industry, it is very important to take care of and protect our hands.  After all this is what makes our living!  I would tell you to first and foremost, do what the doctor instructs you to do to heal and recover.  I would then say, that you may be limited with piping depending on the extent of the damage or surgical procedure you had.  However, if you are a fondant user, I think my "Fondant Fabric" will certainly remove any of the extreme over-use of your hands, wrists, and arms.  It is literally ready for you to apply right to the cake out of the package.  It is a premium product used in the market place today and is delicious!  I think you should try and and see what you think.  The link to my store so you can watch the video to see me use it, you can visit http://store.jayqualls.com.  Let me know what you think and I wish you a speedy recovery!  Hugs, Jq

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Permalink Reply by Connie Taft on September 1, 2011 at 1:38pm

You should try chiropractic. It really helps.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Armijo on September 1, 2011 at 4:23pm

i have tendonitus in both hands. after a decorating a cake im usually in pain but i refust to give up what i love. i say keep it up but take it easy. i have heard great things from people that have had CTS surgery and they say they feel great.

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