Going To See A Hand Therapist...yipee!

[kiwimum03]

My physio therapist has refered me to a hand clinic for my carpal tunnel, I am so excited!!!!

 

I only get to spend 45mins with my PH each week, and we never get time to work on my hands once we have adressed all my other aches and pains (and I am primarily going to see her for my scoliosis and osteoarthritis in my spine).

 

So I am very happy that I was able to get an appointment with the hand clinic next week and get some therapy and advice on how to handle my carpal tunnel as the problems have just excellerated in the last couple of weeks.

 

Anyway, I was just so happy I had to post, it really lifted my mood!

 

Hugs to all,

 

Irene

[janey]

Irene,

Congratulations! That is exciting news. I hope you get tremendous benefit from both the PT and hand therapists. Please share with us the things that work for you.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Big Hugs,

[miocean]

I have been going to hand therapy for almost two years now. It has kept my hands from misforming. Although I can't say there has been tremendous improvement, my hands have not become worse. Good luck with the treatment for your carpal tunnel syndrome, I know many of the people at hand therapy have been treated for it.

[Sweet]

Irene, congrats!! You sound so excited, therefore I'm excited for you!

 

Let us know how it goes.

 

Love Sweet

[Vee]

Hi Irene,

 

I started going to a hand pt about 4 weeks ago, and it definitely has helped me. I don't have carpal tunnel but I have bone resorption, so all my fingers have gotten short along with all of my tendons and tight skin. My pt, who specializes in hands, was pretty impressed with the progress we've made in such a short time. But I have to be very vigilant about my stretches at home! Good Luck to you! I'm very happy for you! Positive thoughts!

 

Warm and Happy, Happy xo Vee

[LisaBulman]

Hi Irene,

That's great news! Please let us know how it goes. I hope you have great success.

 

Hugs,

Lisa

[luvbnmom3]

What is the difference between PT & OT? My Dr. agreed to send me for OT for my hands I will post a different post about that aweful appt later) but anyways...I asked for some PT for my hands, to get some range of motion back & maybe slow down whatever is going on & he said, "you mean OT, that's for your hands."

 

Anyways, I'm glad you're going, I hope it makes a difference, both imporvement & pushing things back!!!

[MaryFanPhilly]

Hi Irene, Happy Day to you! Going to a hand therapist changed my life. She educated me greatly and gave me exercises and also made me hand splints to wear to keep the thumb as flexible as possible. She was honest, and told me we can't stop the damage but we CAN slow it down, and I feel that my hands would be much worse if I didn't see her. The best advice she gave me is to USE my hands. I was very depressed over losing the fine motor skills I needed for painting, my first love, and other crafting but guess what? Recently I started crocheting again, with a HUGE number Q needle but hey, I can do it. Plus, the afghan I'm making is keeping me warm, lol. Lots of luck, let us know how you get on. Love, Mary in Philly

[kiwimum03]

Thanks for all the wonderful, supportive replies!!!

Its so nice to hear that so many of you have had good results from hand therapy.

 

Mary in Philly ~ I too love painting and crafts, and have just started painting again, althought it is taking me longer these days, but its something I will just struggle through as I would be devestated if I couldn't.

 

luvbnmom3 ~ I am not sure if PT is the same as OT, I am guessing that OT is Occupational therapy, and I assume that it runs along the same lines as physio or physical therapy, probably to get the same end result.

 

Today my fingers are really really puffy and smooth, but not painful at all. Is the puffyness from the carpal tunnel, or can scleroderma make them puff up every now and then?

 

Big hugs,

 

Irene

[MaryFanPhilly]

Irene, glad to see you're keepin on keepin on.... when the disease first started manifesting itself I was puffy and swollen every day, to where it was difficult to bend the fingers enough to wash my hair in the shower, or hold a bar of soap. I still have swelling but not as often, and usually because I've eaten something processed and loaded with sodium. Now, 18 months in, my fingers have hardened more and stiffened more, and the joints are noticibly contracted compared to what they were a year ago. So I S-T-R-E-T-C-H all the time. My OT explained that the extra collagen fibers and swelling are what cause the carpal tunnel problems, and I've noticed that since the swelling phase is on the way out, I have fewer problems with that. I had been waking up in the night with my hands and wrists completely numb. You've probably walked down that road too, :-( sadly. And by the way, PT and OT are very similar but OT is more for what you do on a day to day basis, as in folding laundry, tying your shoes etc. Have fun with your OT, I know I did, and I'm going to start up again as soon as my insurance company tells me I can! Love, Mary in Philly

[kiwimum03]

Thanks for the encouragement Mary,

 

I am really looking forward to starting hand therapy, I start on Thursday next week.

Yes, I definately am in the midst of all this hand stuff and always wake up in the night with numb hands that feel as big as an elephant!

 

I am very lucky that here in New Zealand I am able to have hand therapy through the public health system as I certainly wouldn't be able to afford it myself, so I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to do it.

 

Big hugs,

Irene

[luvbnmom3]

Thanks for explaining the difference....although, it just occured to me, that since in the last year I've become an internet research guru, I 'spose I could've just looked that one up.....lol!