|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
Just noticing in the last few days my fingers are really starting to drift , it really scares me as i hate what the Ra has done to my hands , ive had hand splints for years but must admit i never really used the splints of a night as they were passion killers and i could never get to sleep with them on any way, then having a baby it was impossible to wear them when you've got to get up every couple of hours in the night, does every one else use the splints of a night ? wish i could go back 15 years because i would definitely used them if i new then what i know now, i am using them now but think its to late to help the fingers ,it just stops them hurting if they get knocked .
Sophie x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
|
Hello Sophie,
I have only had splints a month. I am trying to use them at night, but as you say they
are passion killers. I hate the clicking and pain in the fingers, it is awful, so that is why I am making myself wear them (but I confess I don't every night)
Sorry your fingers are soo bad at the moment. I hope they get better
Rose
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
Hi Sophie, I wear my splints at night when my hands are really bad (it doesn't matter if they are passion killers when you are 60!  ). I have never yet gone all through the night with them on because my hands get too hot and by about 3am I have usually ripped them off! They do help with the pain but are so heavy and bulky. Doreen xx
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
Hi Sophie Must admit I have never been good at wearing splints either at night or in the day if I'm honest. So difficult trying to do anything with the dammed things on! Like you, I have developed ulnar drift which is very bad on my right hand and despite a wrist replacement I have been advised to have some of the finger joints replaced. Not a nice prospect so holding fire for now! It is worth (says she!) if you can persevere if only to avoid the knocks and subsequent pain to the fingers. Unfortunately, as you know, it won't now correct the drift but may slow the progression. Might be worth asking OT if they can offer anything that may stabilise the drift? You would imagine with modern materials they might be able to come up with something more suitable than seems to be on offer! Probably a cost thing ... as usual!! I have on occasion used a light bandage (conforming) to hold the fingers in place and that seems to work overnight, but it's a pain having to redo it every night but might be worth trying. Lyn x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
|
Hi Sophie
I've been wearing wrist splints for the past three weeks in bed and I'm sure they have helped because instead of my whole hand feeling like its broken I only get the odd finger at the moment and sore wrists. I have just purchased some new ones from the FunkyArthur website and they are more comfortable and padded. If you are worried about the passion they are black and purple and may appeal to you more than boring beige ones.
Anne
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
|
Dear Sophie,
I am so sorry about your fingers...I haven't had to wear splints but have used supports on my elbows and always find they overheat far too much during the night so I rip them off and throw them across the room! LOL
Here are the Funky Arthur supports which look more comfy than splints ; http://www.funkyarthur.c...-and-Splints/index.html
I really know what you mean about hindsight- how I wish I had worn more sensible shoes and hadn't continued to dance with huge swollen knees!!
Much love,
Amanda
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
I have started to wear them now for a few nights but as Doreen says i wake about 3 usually my son has got up and got in my bed then i have to take them off as i cant bear them Lol , not worried about what they look like now as im single and am staying that way ! Lyn as you say you think they could come up with a better design , i was thinking of a glove that kept all the fingers together instead of those straps that come loose  , will try harder now to use them day and night as ive frightened myself when i caught site of my hands in the mirror , thanks for the web site Amanda i will see if there's any thing that can help me on there .
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
I'm not sure how badly your fingers are drifting, but there are some very pretty silver ring splints which could help. You could ask the OT about them and they most certainly are not half as cumbersome as the wrist splints. Also, I would not have thought the conventional splints would help finger drift.
Love Jeanxxxx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
Thanks Jean i do need another appointment to see the OT , i have never heard of the silver splints before so will definitely ask about them , i have wrist splints and hand splints which keep the fingers straight but they have lots of straps on them which come undone and are a nuisance !
Sophie x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
Hi Sophie I went to the BSR conference in Liverpool two years ago to attend a DAS workshop. NRAS requested volunteers to help. Diane (Hen) went to a workshop on Silver Ring Splints and she found it quite impressive, if I remember correctly. Hope the link from the NRAS site provides more info. Lyn x P.S. There are some more links that might be useful on the old forum site!
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
Thanks for that Lyn , dont think i need those silver splints as i haven't got swanning of the fingers its that my fingers are starting to go left , i have been wearing my resting splints a lot now and put them on when i get a minute , should of been doing it for years  but hopefully i can try and help then from going any worse. Sophie x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
|
 Hello Sophie How are you doing,sorry see your fingies misbehaving splints good choice. ive got 2 one each hand. my fingers are on slight drift to right sure it all time had use taps etc before got lever type. so like you i got be good try wear mine more often. i dont haves wan shape either thankfully. how are your xrays lately. hows little un. thinking of you melly  cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
Hi Mel , had my hand x rays about 2 years ago by the old consultant so might ask for them to be done again at my next appointment , been in my mums all day my son had the paddling pool out and had lots of fun, i stayed in the shade !
Sophie x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 872
|
Hi Sophie,
i dont wear them at night any more due to bashing Paul with them lol
Those silver splints look interesting, i'd never heard of them before,
My RA is worst in my hands, I manage risk of hand drifts by constant alignment awareness - boring, i know but essential - using very chunky pens, or felt tips as much less pressure, watching carefully how I hold the phone, hold a book, never holding cups by the handle, The Open Uni send me ring bound study books as much easier to hold, etc etc
- its all about always minimising impact of hand movements / potential damage, i have afree phone card for directory enquiries - i just needed to send confirmation from gp of disability - i found the info about this in the phone book and use this quite often good as no need to hold heavy phone book,
I was recommended some hand exercises by my OT - i think the link for similar ones is on the bupa website, i have found my OT so helpful with hand problems - full of useful advice,
....I'm quite excited at the moment as i haven't worn a wedding ring since Paul had to cut mine off in 1997 when my RA symptoms first appeared in earnest,
but for my birthday he commisioned one to be made - its not quite ready yet but it's very simply made - just 3 joined gold bands so can be twisted off easily in a flare,
hope you get to see your OT soon i would definitely recommend this as a good place for advice and effective supoort,
Take care & let us know how you get on ~ love Liz xxxxx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
Oh Liz - your ring sounds gorgeous. Please can we see a photo of it when it's safely installed on your finger?
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
Thanks for the info Liz , as Jeans says your ring sounds lovely , i too haven't worn my my jewelry for years as i cant bear any thing near my wrists or fingers ,
Sophie x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
|
Hi Sophie aww in shade paddling pool nice Yes Ot good for hands,im doing my exercises to. along with obersving how im using my hands,picking things up. i to havnt been able wear my rings since 2004,take care dont know about you sophie heat does add to swelling it seems. sounds so sore,have u tried the wax bath thingy they got them in stock on amazon last time i looked. for when not so inflammed soothing. lv melly cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
I use to love those wax hand baths when i was first diagnosed Mel, forgot about them as it was a long time ago ! will look it up , dont think it would do any good though but its a nice treatment ,
Sophie x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/16/2009 Posts: 156
|
Hi
just catching up I wear a splint on my left hand at night but my right hand has decided tobend under when I am a sleep so going to ask OT about one for that hand and I wear splints in the day to keep my hand and fingers from wandering but they do not stop the pain.
Just to let you all know I went to see my nurse last week and they did a DAS test and have said I can have anti TNF drugs they are going to try me on humer and see how that goes. anyone on it? and how much pain does it take away ? and how much of you life before RA did you get back ? the nurse has told me that some of the things i used to do I will never be able to do again ie canoing Sailing and absailing but if it takes 50% of the pain away I will be happy.
look forward to your info
Hugs to all
Audrey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
