Hand advice?
Nov. 28th, 2008 12:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
moominmuppetI know plenty of you have various chronic health problems that affect mobility and function. Although this flare is slowly tapering off, and most of the problems are relatively minor now, my hands haven't stopped hurting for the past month and half. Sometimes it's relatively minor, sometimes it's so bad I can't do anything with them without substantial pain and weakness (including petting my animals, brushing my teeth, wanking, sex with my partners, and other basic necessities). More than anything, this is the aspect of the flare that's making me feel hopeless and helpless (and waking me up in the middle of the night constantly -- I can't find a way to sleep where they don't scream at me at some point).
I'm looking for any kind of practical suggestions -- what's worked for you to work around hurting hands? How do you get things done, what helps to make it easier? I've been thinking more and more about some practical life-adjustments, what kinds of minor tools and such might help (like an electric carving knife for when I can't use a regular knife, which I was desperately wanting yesterday -- instead, I found I could tear meat with two forks and get by). I'm already getting better at modifying my hand position when I'm trying to open bottles and such, and getting better at not twisting my hands into the most painful positions when I try to get things done, but I could really use some suggestions.
Dr appt was a very mixed bag, btw. Here's the update I wrote the other day:
GP doesn't understand why the rheumatologist thought she should do the paperwork instead of him. Back and forth between the offices all afternoon, not sure if I got anywhere at all, except that the paperwork is now with the rheumatologist, and his office staff says he's going to "look at it". I'm incredibly frustrated and depressed.
On the positive side, GP is awesome, even if her nurse is remarkably bitchy. She's referred me to pain management, set me up for labs to check for any actual arthritic processes, and we did some adjusting of my meds.
If my previously awesome and now unexplainably flakey rheumatologist doesn't pull his head out of his ass, though, I'm going to have to switch doctors, which means waiting more months for a new patient appointment.
So anyway, that's what's been going on. I'm really struggling with depression at the moment, despite having had a really good holiday with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
forestfire, and having gotten totally hooked on True Blood in the process (can't wait to get home at watch the last three eps we haven't seen yet -- I blame LJ for this new addiction, btw). I'm going to talk to Pain Management on Monday morning (7:30am), then I'm getting some labwork and x-rays to check to make sure there isn't also an inflammatory process happening, given how different this flare has been. My family is being awesomely, incredibly supportive (I've been missing a lot of pay recently, and Dad just spontaneously forgave a big chunk of debt I owe him, which was amazingly generous, and well beyond the call of duty, especially since he'd already told me not to worry about payments 'til I was doing better, and James and Mom have also been checking in on me regularly). Life could be a hell of a lot worse. Sadly, with my mental state at the moment, that's just feeding the "well, if I can't cope with a little hand pain when I've got all these advantages, I must _really_ suck" logic. *sigh* So, I'm trying to work on that by getting practical. Hence this post.
In other news, I'm really enjoying The Prehistory of Sex: Four Million Years of Human Sexual Culture. Although he occasionally take a theory as more agreed-upon than I believe it to be (the cervical "upsuck" from orgasm being a good example --
The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution goes into the debate in more detail), overall I'm pretty pleased with the book so far. I like that he's not a big fan of the sociobiological approach, and that generally he's good at pointing out various conflicting theories, and the lack of certainty involved in determining which is actually correct. What the hell is up with the lack of footnotes recently, though?! Argh!
I'm looking for any kind of practical suggestions -- what's worked for you to work around hurting hands? How do you get things done, what helps to make it easier? I've been thinking more and more about some practical life-adjustments, what kinds of minor tools and such might help (like an electric carving knife for when I can't use a regular knife, which I was desperately wanting yesterday -- instead, I found I could tear meat with two forks and get by). I'm already getting better at modifying my hand position when I'm trying to open bottles and such, and getting better at not twisting my hands into the most painful positions when I try to get things done, but I could really use some suggestions.
Dr appt was a very mixed bag, btw. Here's the update I wrote the other day:
GP doesn't understand why the rheumatologist thought she should do the paperwork instead of him. Back and forth between the offices all afternoon, not sure if I got anywhere at all, except that the paperwork is now with the rheumatologist, and his office staff says he's going to "look at it". I'm incredibly frustrated and depressed.
On the positive side, GP is awesome, even if her nurse is remarkably bitchy. She's referred me to pain management, set me up for labs to check for any actual arthritic processes, and we did some adjusting of my meds.
If my previously awesome and now unexplainably flakey rheumatologist doesn't pull his head out of his ass, though, I'm going to have to switch doctors, which means waiting more months for a new patient appointment.
So anyway, that's what's been going on. I'm really struggling with depression at the moment, despite having had a really good holiday with
forestfire, and having gotten totally hooked on True Blood in the process (can't wait to get home at watch the last three eps we haven't seen yet -- I blame LJ for this new addiction, btw). I'm going to talk to Pain Management on Monday morning (7:30am), then I'm getting some labwork and x-rays to check to make sure there isn't also an inflammatory process happening, given how different this flare has been. My family is being awesomely, incredibly supportive (I've been missing a lot of pay recently, and Dad just spontaneously forgave a big chunk of debt I owe him, which was amazingly generous, and well beyond the call of duty, especially since he'd already told me not to worry about payments 'til I was doing better, and James and Mom have also been checking in on me regularly). Life could be a hell of a lot worse. Sadly, with my mental state at the moment, that's just feeding the "well, if I can't cope with a little hand pain when I've got all these advantages, I must _really_ suck" logic. *sigh* So, I'm trying to work on that by getting practical. Hence this post.In other news, I'm really enjoying The Prehistory of Sex: Four Million Years of Human Sexual Culture. Although he occasionally take a theory as more agreed-upon than I believe it to be (the cervical "upsuck" from orgasm being a good example --
The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution goes into the debate in more detail), overall I'm pretty pleased with the book so far. I like that he's not a big fan of the sociobiological approach, and that generally he's good at pointing out various conflicting theories, and the lack of certainty involved in determining which is actually correct. What the hell is up with the lack of footnotes recently, though?! Argh!
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no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 05:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 05:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 05:32 pm (UTC)Other things that have helped:
-NOT carving knives, because the vibration makes it impossible for me to hold onto them; if there's newer ones that don't vibrate, they might help. Other than that, really sharp knives and a food processor for all chopping and grating
-buying pre-processed food or getting someone else to cut and prep all food for me
-rubber gripping cloths for opening jars
-wool armwarmers and scarves (for my trapezoid muscles
-stretching and calesthenics to encourage circulation; yoga helps as well
-voice-recognition software (this is invaluable, seriously, even just for making LJ posts and writing emails -- CANNOT recommend this enough)
-heating pads to relax my back (I have them all over the place)
-different seating, including no arms on chairs (anything like a Sumo bag, yoga ball, making sure not to sit in the same place all the time)
-remote keyboard and mouse (keyboard on the lap, mouse on the chair or leg or cushion)
-foam wraps for handles that need to be used a lot; either get them at an assistive supply shop or make them out of pipe insulation
-arm massage and 'stripping' for myofascial tension and scarring
-hand putty -- it comes in different densities for strengthening hands, but I find squeezing things (I use stress balls and other kinds of exercisers, but my pain isn't as bad as yours; I think you might get better results from putty) really helpful, actually. The motions of squeezing and exercising are different from typing and knitting, it helps loosen my hand joints to stretch them around a ball
If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 05:41 pm (UTC)Sadly, the one thing I can't do is move to voice-recognition software. My fulltime job is on a helpdesk, so there's no way to implement it that I can think of (because I have to be talking to the users, instead). Luckily, although typing hurts sometimes, and my accuracy is a bit lower than usual when my hands are really bad, typing seems to be less of a problem than most other activities.
And you're probably right about the carving knife; one of my problems with even using my vibrators, which should be a good option for the wanking problems, is that I can't grip them well when they're vibrating.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 05:54 pm (UTC)Hm. I think I have your email. I was talking to someone about testing sex toys (the rep from a company) from a disability POV. I shall email you with what we were talking about when I'm done this editing job. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 06:11 pm (UTC)I'd love to talk more about disability and sexuality; it's a topic I've been exploring for about ten years now, although more often from a perspective of probs in my hips than my hands. I've accomplished a few nifty things, though -- for bondage purposes I had a set of spreader bars custom-made that have a quick-release in the middle so if my joints lock up I can stretch them out ASAP without having to get everything totally undone and ruin the mood.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 07:25 pm (UTC)As for what helps with my hands, after dealing with this for most of my life, the best thing is another person. I know this isn't always an option, but it has been extremely helpful for me. In junior high and high school, I had to wear blouses that buttoned up and my pain is usually worse in the morning. My mother had to literally dress me. She helped me brush my hair. Now, here's what helps me:
-wax baths (as the others have mentioned. I lost mine in a move at some point)
-baths in general, or just soaking. Some days, I will put some sea salts in the sink and soak my hands for a few minutes (bring a chair so you can sit). It helps.
-Reiki
-heating pads. I have one that you put in the mircowave. I have named it Percy, so I can say to husband, "please get me Percy". Some days all I can do is lay in bed, but the heating pad helps. I also have an electric blanket that helps.
-those rubber grip things for jars. Do they have real names? I don't know, but you know what I mean. We have several throughout the house. Even if its a peanut butter jar that is somewhat open, on bad days I can't get it. Putting rubber bands wrapped a few times around smaller items also helps. I've done this on pencils, nail polish, etc. It just helps me hold it better.
-one set of silverware with thicker handles. For me, I have a children's set that I got on sale at Target. The thicker handles are easier for me to hold and use when my hands are acting up.
-learning stretching exercises. For me, yoga has been very helpful.
-Baby wipes. When I'm in a rough patch, I use them to clean myself - face, body, whatever. It's a lot easier than getting into a bath and does what you need it to do. Target brand unscented is my choice; cheap and works well without irritating my skin. In the summer I use them for my underarms when I don't want to shower. They are also easy to hold
Also, with time you learn what works for you. I've learned to set my alarm for earlier so that I can sit in bed and stretch a little and allow for extra time. I kind of brace myself as I get out of bed.
I'll be thinking good thoughts for you on Monday.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 07:38 pm (UTC)my pain is usually worse in the morning.
*nod* Very true to me, too. I'm actually kind of hopeful because my appt is so early; at least it probably won't be another "get there and can't demonstrate what's going on" frustration.
Thanks for all the other suggestions; those are really helpful!
no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 08:55 pm (UTC)As for suggestions: these are all kinda dumb and you may have no use or already thought of them, but I use grippy garden gloves (of which I have another pair somewhere if you'd like them) for two-handed opening of jars and bottles and the like at home. I put safety pins on my hard-to-reach and grab zippers. I put my shampoo into a pump bottle (it's easier to unscrew the cap once and dump than squeeze the bottle in the shower for me.) And I feel like such an old lady, but on my bad-because-the-hot-water's-not-helping days, I carry everything around the house or work in a little basket with a handle on it (like if you wanted to just take your dr. pepper bottle and smokes out back while the dogs pee, or go downstairs but your hands are not doing multiple objects and the door; again i have extras if that would be at all useful to you.)
My figers are crossed for you that your doctors remove their heads from their hind-quarters about this. (Is it a possibility that you could call an ombudsman type person wherever your doctors are and ask them, maybe anonymously, who's supposed to be dong your paperwork?)
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 06:43 pm (UTC)My figers are crossed for you that your doctors remove their heads from their hind-quarters about this. (Is it a possibility that you could call an ombudsman type person wherever your doctors are and ask them, maybe anonymously, who's supposed to be dong your paperwork?)
Well, I called the office to check in -- just waiting to hear back. *hopehope*
no subject
Date: 2008-11-28 09:15 pm (UTC)Heat, definitely. Alternating heat and cold when I could stand it -- it seemed to work better in the long run, but the cold sometimes made the pain worse.
Very gentle stretching -- specifically, I would lay my hand palm-down on a surface so my fingers were more or less open without me having to do anything. If I could get my hand down flat, I would try lifting my fingers (all at once, not one at a time) a little bit away from the surface (to stretch them away from the palm). If I couldn't get my palm all the way down without more pain, I just let it sit there.
The soup spoons that come in Chinese or pho restaurants. They have wide handles and a wide, flat spoon bed and can be used for any food in bite-sized pieces. I found them easier than regula rsilverware, and they're pretty cheap at Asian markets. *And* I could ask for them at restaurants, which meant I didn't have to stay home all the time.
(Bowls of miso soup were also one of my stand-bys. You're supposed to drink them from the bowl anyway, the bowl is warm on my hands, and miso soup makes me feel good. YMMV.)
Good luck with your appointment!
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 06:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-29 02:58 am (UTC)Also, a piece of meta-advice from Adrian is that the main thing is to minimize hand use, so a workaround that takes an hour is inferior to bulling through something that hurts but takes 30 seconds.
Similarly, she advises minimizing writing (which can include using abbreviations, or picking up the telephone), but to the extent you need to write, felt tip pens are better than ballpoints because they don't require pressure. She also finds that keyboards and touchpads are easier than mice, and a small amount of touchpad use is better than a large amount of keyboard use. Your hands may vary, so you may need to experiment with this.
Sometimes lifting heavy glasses is a significant extra strain, so leaving a glass or mug on the table and drinking from a straw is a significant help.
Meta again: Hand strain is cumulative.
If ice or heat help, use them. Don't wait until the pain becomes intolerable: use them when you notice it, so it doesn't get really bad an hour later.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 06:46 pm (UTC)This especially helps -- although my typing is ok (extended hand seems much more functional than grasping functions), I can barely use a pen at all at the moment. When I need one, I strongly suspect the felt tip would make things much easier.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 07:10 pm (UTC)I still use them when I'm on work assignments (where I frequently have to take notes or write-up procedures by hand) and in general. I still have many other pens to satisfy my mild pen fetish but I use Triplus for pretty much everything.
I have to say, I've bookmarked this post because of everyone else's great advice.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 07:19 pm (UTC)I think I'm going to have to try a variety of pens -- my biggest problem right now is that I can't squeeze tightly enough to grip onto a pen, so I may need to go the other direction in terms of size. When I'm not specifically having hand problems, though, I do tend to squeeze too hard, so these might be good for that.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-12 06:19 am (UTC)Are buttons problematic for you? I used to keep most of my shirt buttons fastened, only unbuttoning a few at the top so I could take the shirt off over my head. I'd wash and dry the shirt without unbuttoning it, then put it back on over my head. If you don't wear shirt with buttons, you don't have to worry about that, of course.
It's important to be careful about overall body mechanics when trying to do stuff that hurts (brushing your hair, cooking, writing.) Posture always gets somewhat distorted when a person is compensating for an injury, but try not to strain other body parts more than necessary. When you're doing things that don't hurt, but are high-risk for other RSI, like typing, be very careful about avoiding strain. If your hands curve up, even a little, to reach the keys, it can strain the elbows in ways that take a while to really hurt. I recently found something which may be helpful for a lot of kinds of computer-related RSI. www.workrave.org It just makes me take little breaks every so often, which is nonspecific but valuable.
I've found serious toothbrushing works best after a hot shower. (Yes, that means I brush my teeth properly once a day. Other times, it's a lick and a promise.) I need to use a manual toothbrush--lots of people say electric is better, but the weight and vibration is just too painful. The little plastic thingees with loops of floss are much easier for me to handle than regular dental floss.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 06:33 pm (UTC)My hand pain is 99% from the peripheral neuropathy I have. It's most frequent when I'm sleeping and much of the pain will subside if I sit up and gently massage them. Keeping them warm helps (my friend Nea knitted me some perfect gloves for everyday use and soaking them in hot wax feels ever so nice!), as do minor stretching and strength exercises.
Any pain medication I have is either OTC or not my prescription (and rarely used; I don't like taking it) and thus a really bad idea. (No matter how well informed one is about anything, taking prescription medication that is not your prescription is a very bad idea and I do not recommend doing so.)
Unfortunately, that's all the experience I have.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 06:39 pm (UTC)*grin* Typing anything substantial at home is a constant battle against the critters trying to climb on top of my laptop.
Thanks to the recommendations here, as my belated b-day present, I've asked my folks for a paraffin hand-bath. Becca had one, and it's been nice in the past, although it's out of service at the moment, so I suspect getting one of my own will help a lot.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 06:45 pm (UTC)I think you'll really like the hand-bath. They're sooo nice when the pain is really bad. And my gloves are wonderful, really. Nea got the pattern from one of her knitting calendars; it was created by a woman whose daughter has lupus and for her to use while at her computer.
Speaking of gloves, I forgot about this: I use nitrile exam gloves for nearly everything involving cleaning and food prep. Partly so that I don't have to keep washing my hands (yes, mild OCD but also just general dirt and smells) and to protect them from reacting to various chemicals, no matter how mild. [I say "chemicals" as a chemistry student, not as a hippie ;)]
Also, the standard "Food Handlers Gloves" are useful, if not quite as useful as the exam gloves, and more readily available. (As are vinyl gloves at any major supermarket or drugstore first aid aisle.) I've usually bought my gloves in bulk and that helps reduce the cost per box.
They've been invaluable just for dishes and cleaning up after the cats, seriously. I find them easier to use then the usual large clunky gloves that aren't disposable; they're more versatile and I feel I have better motor control.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 06:47 pm (UTC)