Hi everyone,
A few days ago, I came across someone mentioning that they have problems with one hand, especially with writing. I too have experienced this--a little after my first brain surgery and significantly more after the second. Certain fine motor activities are not difficult but others are. Writing is especially hard for me.
The hand therapist I worked with recommended this great thing called "Pen Again." It's a refillable pen shaped like a "Y" or a wishbone. You place your index finger through the two branches so it rests between the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. It makes a huge difference for me.
They have them at Staples in my area but you can order them on line too. The $4 version is very solid but the cheaper ones come apart easily. The ink they come with runs out fast, so be sure to get the refills when you buy your pen. The refills last much longer.
Hand Therapy made a big difference for me as well. I was skeptical, but it was well worth the investment. Be sure the therapist you choose has experience with neuro patients.
Also, hand therapy is EXHAUSTING if you do it right! Worse than a tough pilates class. I am very fit but would wilt by the end of my sessions. I've had to make some adjustments, but I can sew, knit, embroider, use sharp knives, open most jars, and operate the shade on my car's sun roof (though only when stopped, it takes focus). Sometimes I can hit a "high five," but my aim is still sketchy :-)
Hope this info is helpful to some folks.
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Trouble writing?
- By ALB
- Posted July 18, 2009 at 6:04 pm · 5 replies
- In Medical treatments that worked for me
- Shared with the public
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- By Jennifer09
- Posted July 19, 2009 at 2:04 am
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Could you please tell me which online address you use, as I live in Australia and haven't seen a Staples store here. I want to cook again, what adjustments did you make and how do you cook now? Does anyone have any suggestions. I am hyper-senstive to heat , am weak (lifting pans out of oven) am slower, and find the dexterity involved in cooking difficul. I used to manage , cook and own a restaurant, and LUVVV cooking. What is hand therapy? That has never been offered to me. Who(what qualifications) should I look out for?
Pens with gel ink rollers flow well and easily.
Thanks for your helpful info.
- By raekel
- Posted July 19, 2009 at 11:55 am
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thanks for this helpful information. i've experienced significant problems with my left arm and handsince cyberknife radiation surgery. my right hand is also effected but not as severely. i can still type with my right hand only, but cannot sew. my handwriting is quite poor. i have received a bit of what is called occupational therapy, but not hand therapy.
i want to sew, write and type with both hands again, but so far, my left arm is still pretty wild with a mind of its own. i would love to work on hand therapy. what do you do in the therapy, and how were you referred?
regards, raeanne
- By ALB
- Posted July 19, 2009 at 1:38 pm
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Hello!
Jennifer, try www.penagain.com--there's gotta be a way you can order internationally.
For cooking, I have to take my time and be more conscientious. Adjustments are probably different for everybody. Use good knives if you're going to use knives. Sometimes I have my husband deal with the oven if things are too heavy. If you're single, maybe have friends over to cook WITH you a couple of times a week? I don't know where to get them, but I know that utensils with built up handles are available.
I was referred to occupational therapy by my team at NIH (2008) and worked with this lovely woman, Leora, twice during my week long stay. She told me to look for hand therapists. I'd never heard of them either, but they were easy enough to find online through a local yellow pages site. When I called, I briefly explained my circumstances. The first place only offered therapy for orthopedic patients--apparently hand therapy is big for repetitive strain injuries--and referred me to the second company on my list.
My right hand has been funny since before my first surgery (2002) and over the years I've just tried using my left hand instead for some activities. This caused some comic moments during my initial evaluation with Leora.
My regular doctor put in referrals for occupational & physical therapy when I returned home. I would guess that lots of doctors would be unlikely to make the offer. But if you ask, I bet they'd do the referral for you.
My hand therapist explained the physiology of how the hand needs the whole arm and shoulder to work. We worked from larger to smaller muscle groups in each weekly session. She gave me exercises to strengthen my shoulder using soft weighted balls and a resistance band. I bought the resistance band from her for about $4. The weighted balls are available at fitness stores, but my hubby found them at Ocean State Job Lot, a New England close-out store kind of Big Lots. They were less than $10.
Once we warmed up the shoulder, my therapist, Kristen, would sit with me and use several variations on a peg board to help me handle increasingly smaller objects. I would also try to remove small objects (buttons or coins) from special putty and bins of dry beans. I never succeeded with the last one--or with identifying shapes in a cloth bag without looking. Still can't grab things out of my purse by touch alone.
To strengthen the fingers, I had to pull velcroed blocks off a board. The silliest (and hardest) exercise involved her holding a rubber band around my pinky and my pulling against the band to bring the pinky alongside my ring finger. Like those exercises you'd do for your thighs at the gym. Whew! I did the therapy for about 6 months after the surgery. Usually tried to take a quick nap or other relaxing break before returning to my day.
I have to confess I mostly knit with needles at least a size 8 or 9. No teeny lace or baby socks. When embroidering or hand sewing, I switch the work between my hands often. It's much slower, but I can do lots with my left hand now.
Raeanne, could you convince a crafty friend to help you hold the work while you stitch?
Good luck!
Amy Lynn
- By raekel
- Posted July 29, 2009 at 9:09 am
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thanks for your wonderful note, amy lynn. i'll order that special pen. i'm lucky that my right hand is not too bad because i am right handed. i've had some improvement with the left, but have a lot of work to do.
i have been able to wash dishes everyday, although i am slow and clumsy. i can do some cooking too. i use the oven to roast beef and chicken, but need help removing hot and heavy items. i can sautee vegetables, but have trouble prepping them. although i can chop vegetables with a knife, the pieces are chunky and not fine. perhaps i will unvest in a food processor. an ongoing project i have is polishing my silverware, everyday i try to do some.
i also spend up to one hour everyday applying my make up. this is a real challenge because cosmetic containers are so tint. sometimes i have to ask someone to open something for me.
i used to oil paint, sew, upholster and decorate, including house painting and furniture refinishing. i sure want to be able to do these things again,
i am still in a wheelchair because my walking balance is still poor.
well i like your idea of having friends over to cook. thanks for sharing,
raeanne
- By ALB
- Posted July 30, 2009 at 7:41 am
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Rock on, Raeanne,
You're doing it and that's the only way to get there.
I can't chop fine either. Make up is HARD! I don't bother with it most days--but I also don't work in a setting where I have to look polished all the time. I bought some nicer make up recently and good brushes and found that helped me get it on without making a mess of myself, but it still takes forever.
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