Osteoarthritis In My Throttle Thumb

[Ed Murphy]

Hi all, I'm pretty sure this topic has been covered before, but darned if I can find any posts now, so forgive me if I'm posting a-new. I love my 2014 Bonneville and ride whenever I can, but the pain in my right thumb which extends around to the heel of the palm, winds up making my rides shorter than I'd wish. I'm using Triflora homeopathic gel along w. Advil w. some success but it doesn't last long. I'll be 75 next month. Been riding for 40 years.

Question: has anyone else experienced this problem and what advice would you have?
Thanks!

 

[Village Idiot]

Hi, Ed: I'm a member of that "select" club, as well; you can relieve the hand discomfort a bit by not wrapping your thumb around the grip, just rest it on the switch cluster in the most comfortable position that'll allow you to wrap it around when necessary. Also, a Go-Cruise throttle lock is a great help on a longer ride, as long as there's light traffic.
I'm only a couple of years behind you...........but have no plans to quit.
Hope this gets you in the right direction: Jim

 

[Ed Murphy]

Hi, Ed: I'm a member of that "select" club, as well; you can relieve the hand discomfort a bit by not wrapping your thumb around the grip, just rest it on the switch cluster in the most comfortable position that'll allow you to wrap it around when necessary. Also, a Go-Cruise throttle lock is a great help on a longer ride, as long as there's light traffic.
I'm only a couple of years behind you...........but have no plans to quit.
Hope this gets you in the right direction: Jim

Hi Jim, Thanks for the tips. Yes, I forgot to mention that I'm doing both things:
I have the Go-Cruise lever which I use on the freeway (here in CA) when I know I'll sit on a cruising speed for a while, and I've also discovered that I can place my thumb alongside my index finger, over the top of the throttle, when I know the road won't be throwing any surprises at me. Those things do seem to help a lot. I'm also looking into medical marijuana and all the salves and non-(or not high) THC vs CBD ratio of sub-linguals, etc. But of course.... not while I'm riding
Cheers!

 

[Greyfell]

Hi, Ed: I'm a member of that "select" club, as well; you can relieve the hand discomfort a bit by not wrapping your thumb around the grip, just rest it on the switch cluster in the most comfortable position that'll allow you to wrap it around when necessary. Also, a Go-Cruise throttle lock is a great help on a longer ride, as long as there's light traffic.
I'm only a couple of years behind you...........but have no plans to quit.
Hope this gets you in the right direction: Jim

Go-Cruise throttle lock

Here's the website. Looks promising!

 

[Ed Murphy]

Go-Cruise throttle lock

Here's the website. Looks promising!

Thanks, Greyfell. Mine works like a charm. Easy on (somewhat), easy off. Rested right hand and arm

 

[Village Idiot]

Hi, again, Ed: In the "for what it's worth" department, I'm also using Pycnogenol, which is an extract that can be bought over the counter and raw apple cider vinegar each night. Just a couple of tablespoons of the vinegar mixed with something to kill the taste. Might be worth a try...........it does seem to help, but it took a while for them to work.
Jim

 

[Ed Murphy]

Hi, again, Ed: In the "for what it's worth" department, I'm also using Pycnogenol, which is an extract that can be bought over the counter and raw apple cider vinegar each night. Just a couple of tablespoons of the vinegar mixed with something to kill the taste. Might be worth a try...........it does seem to help, but it took a while for them to work.
Jim

Wow, looks like Pycnogenol is used for quite a number of ailments. Apple cider is good for us, but it too is not all that easy to consume... taste wise. I'll pick up some Pycn. and see if it helps maybe w. some honey. I'm happy to say that my current regime of high CBD cannabis is surprisingly effective, not to mention a real mood enhancer

 

[shanered6]

Yes i get that too its very painful but i dont get it all the time ! but what i have noticed is that if i were my tighter fitting thin leather summer gloves its terrible and hurts like hell , but if i stick with my looser fitting and more padded winter gloves its defiantly better !! It still hurts but its now were near as crippling !!

 

[Ed Murphy]

Yes i get that too its very painful but i dont get it all the time ! but what i have noticed is that if i were my tighter fitting thin leather summer gloves its terrible and hurts like hell , but if i stick with my looser fitting and more padded winter gloves its defiantly better !! It still hurts but its now were near as crippling !!

Thanks, shanered6. So far here on north coast California I'm still wearing my medium thick gloves. I'll take your advice and stick w. them

 

[Village Idiot]

Hi, Ed: Make sure that it's "raw" apple cider vinegar with what they call "the mother" in it.......unfiltered and un-pasteurized, etc. Then, mix apple cider, lemonade, etc. with it and follow it down with another dose of the lemonade or whatever............do it right and you won't taste the vinegar.
Good luck: Jim

 

[Ed Murphy]

Hi, Ed: Make sure that it's "raw" apple cider vinegar with what they call "the mother" in it.......unfiltered and un-pasteurized, etc. Then, mix apple cider, lemonade, etc. with it and follow it down with another dose of the lemonade or whatever............do it right and you won't taste the vinegar.
Good luck: Jim

Thanks, Jim. That's right, the raw stuff is the good stuff. I'll look for some today. By itself it's a healthy drink. Not quite as good as a cold beer though

 

[Jeffshoaf]

Try a cramp buster for the times you can't use the throttle lock: Original Motorcycle Cruise Control - Crampbuster
Mine lets me control the throttle with my hand open.

 

[Ed Murphy]

Try a cramp buster for the times you can't use the throttle lock: Original Motorcycle Cruise Control - Crampbuster
Mine lets me control the throttle with my hand open.

Thanks, Jeffshoaf. I have one but with the Go-Cruise on the throttle, there's not much more room. It seems like an inter-measure between a naked throttle and the Go-cruise.

 

[Village Idiot]

One more thing, Ed; there's a product called Aspercreme, that's another over the counter pain reliever. As the name implies, it's a rub on lotion and I've used it with some success; my wife, on the other hand (no pun intended) uses it faithfully for the bursitis in her hip, amongst other things. She freely admits that she'd take a bath in the stuff if she could, because it works that good for her. I suppose it'd make her smell kinda' funny, though.
Anyway, just another thought: Jim

 

[Ed Murphy]

One more thing, Ed; there's a product called Aspercreme, that's another over the counter pain reliever. As the name implies, it's a rub on lotion and I've used it with some success; my wife, on the other hand (no pun intended) uses it faithfully for the bursitis in her hip, amongst other things. She freely admits that she'd take a bath in the stuff if she could, because it works that good for her. I suppose it'd make her smell kinda' funny, though.
Anyway, just another thought: Jim

Thanks, Jim. Amazon has a 4.7 oz tube of it for $10. Lots of 5-star reviews... I just ordered it. Maybe it'll also work on some other cranky areas

 

[greybeard]

Hi, it would appear you are not the only one to have this issue. I have it on the left hand. Fortunately, my spouse can treat mine using shiatsu massage. If you are able to find a practitioner who is specialized you might get great relief without the meds. I also keep sports tape in my pocket and in a pinch I can tape and protect the area. Best of luck.

 

[Ed Murphy]

Thanks, Greybeard, for tip. I’ve been taking a daily dose of a couple of Glucosamine caps for several months along with MSM caps and have stopped shaking hands with my right (affected) hand. And ... am glad to say that I’m no longer in as much pain. Just took a 120 RT ride yesterday with no ill effects