October: Therapists

[cavansmom]

How often do you see a therapist (Occupational, Physical, Certified Hand Therapist, etc...)? What have they taught you about joint protection?  What specifically have they taught you?  Have they helped you modify anything to make access easier?  Any products they felt were helpful?  Drop a comment!  We'd love to hear!

[cavansmom]

I saw a physical therapist for a series of treatments once (I couldn't put my shoulders down.  They were locked in the shrugged position).  I also saw a certified hand therapist for a series of treatments once (the tendons on both my middle fingers would slide off the joint causing extraordinary pain and an inability to straighten my fingers).

Both did wonderful jobs treating my current problem, and both gave me home exercises to do, which I did faithfully.  They talked about joint conservation, but neither were very specific.  What do you do to conserve your joints?  Or is everybody as bad as me?

Cavansmom

[irish]

Hi

Have just seen occupational therapist awhile back - they have given me these really silly looking night splints that they mold to fit your hands - i have been told to use them when my hands are really painfull.  because some of my fingers don't reallty straighten anymore i find the splints make them really stiff and sore in the morning because they are being forced into a position they are4 not used to but after half an hour in the morning they do seem a bit easier. 

i have also been given daytime splints to wear to protect my wrist joints when carrying heavy things etc - i assume carrying your child would be one of these things, doing the shopping etc.  they have also told me not to use them too often as my joints will get lazy - you can't win!!

I haven't been told about any other gadgets to make my life easier though but will keep my eyes open.  there is a charity over hear if you have a particular problem they will try and invent something for you.

Denise

[cavansmom]

What a great idea about the charity, Denise.  I wish we had something like that here. Let me know if you hear of anything to help you press the button on the baby car seat (that was my nightmare!)

[irish]

Lori

Will do - have to pick my neices up once a week from the child minder they are three under 5 and so far the childminder puts them in everytime because it is agony on my hands and so awkward!

Denise

[Kay]

This may be a little late to reply but I'm all about joint conservation so I had to jump in. I was lucky in that my husband was working at a rehabilitation center when I was diagnosed so I was immediately whisked off to hand therapy and PT. I had to ask my MD for the Rx and in my research for ergonomic tools for people with RA what I found was that the Rheumatologists are not regularly sending newly diagnosed RA patients to a hand therapist. I'm compiling some joint conservation information for my website which will be up and running in May 2007, when I finish design school. I'll post when it is out there and if you have any feedback, I'd appreciate it.

Alos, I see a PT who also does energy work every week for 2 hours. I credit her with keeping me going. I've got a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia as well so maybe it doesn't apply to RA alone, but I have all kinds of tendon and lingamant inflammation as well. Does anyone else have that?

[cavansmom]

Hi Kay!

Miriam (one of our posters) was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia on top of RA.  She would really love to talk to somebody.  We also jsut strted a new website (momswithfm.org).  It is not searchable yet, so it's not getting hits as of yet, but check it out.  We'd LOVE some input as I don't know much about it.

Another question:  PT doing energy work?  Can you tell me more about that?  I struggle with low energy all the time.  What exercises do you do and what would you look for in a PT to help you with that?

Thanks a bunch!

Lori (CavansMom)