Guest guest Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Hi , Unfortunately problems with hands is part and parcel of this condition, I have my little finger and ring finger on each hand that I no longer use and they are starting to curl in, so it is important to stretch them daily. Because of the weak hands ie unable to undo jars etc, I know this is wrong but I use my teeth/mouth to undo stuff, not the best of ways eh! I believe where you have a weakness, you have a strength, mine being my teeth! Take care, Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 , My neurologist diagnosed me with having CMT in my hands. I have weakness and trouble writing and typing and holding things for long periods of time. Tommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Jill, Do the joints in your wrists and fingers hurt. Mine have been really painful the last couple of days. The weather is much cooler the last few days too. I think that may contribute as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Tommy, Did your neurologist give you any helpful advice on dealing with the discomfort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 CMT can affect all of the nerves, usually starting in the feet and, unfortunately, hands. I have weakness through-out my forearms. I can hyperextend my joints, meaning they are not supported by strong muscles and look like they are very flexible. I am contending with numbness in my hands now as joints have slipped, pinching nerves. I also have reduced sensation. I drop things frequently as well. There are devices to help with things like opening jars, etc. We have an under cabinet tool to help with that. It's an ongoing adaptation. There are therapists that specialize in hands that can help you get a picture of what is going on, and give you exercises, etc. to help. It's not fun, I know. Best of luck, Lenka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 : I am 60 and had a very active/rough/abusive athletic life before CMT " came on little cat feet " . I was both a bicycle racer and horseback rider, both very damaging to hands. I also have chronic gout. When I started having hand problems, I went to an orthopedist who x-rayed my hands. The films pointed toward to osteoarthritis. He recommended glucosamine and chondroitin. I would try a trip to an orthopedist. The pain and stiffness you have may be arthritis. Unfortunately the loss of small motor control in the fingers are probably CMT. Yesterday I dropped a full bottle of prescription ear drops that insurance wouldn't replace as I just had it filled -- A $27.90 flub. Ugh! --Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Hi , Fortunately no I dont have pain in the joints, it is more of a nuisance as they just dont work now, I use to type approx 70 wpm, now with limited finger use I am down to only about 35, however I still talk faster than I type ha ha. This may sound daft but I know that if you have joint pain - tomatoes make it worse! Sounds daft I know. Take care. Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Thanks Gene I will certainly look into it, might save wear and tear on my teeth eh ha ha. Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Larry, Sorry about your ear drops. I no longer have a complete set of dishes thanks to me dropping so many. I return to my pain doctor on Oct. 3rd. I will talk to him about x-rays on my hands. Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 , He gave me Lyrica for the pain I have in my back and leg the only time my hands bother me is when I'm writing and using the computer, I use two fingers to type if I use all my fingers they they cramp up. Plus I take Vicodin and Valium so it's not that bad any more. When I exercise it works out my hand strength because I have to hold two handles that are attached to the machine I use and I try to stay away from the things that bother my hands and make them hurt, It's hard when you can't open a jar when you did construction for 13 years and had very strong hands. When I first started to notice my hands getting weak I was trying to open a jar of olives and I turned the jar upside down and was tapping the lid on the table and still couldn't open it so I got mad and slammed it on the table and the jar smashed I was lucky enough not to get cut. I think it's hard to deal with the discomfort or pain when you have CMT with all the meds I take. I'm still in constant pain and I see a pain management doctor too and he's trying to help but once I get rid of some of the pain the pain in my lower back gets worse or I just feel it more since I got rid of the pain in a different part. Tommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Hello , Very much so and this is originally what sent me to a neurologist. I have some very simple hand stretches that I do in the morning which has been a life saver. They do get worse with time but very slowly. EdM from NH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 , I sure do. I have to make sure the mouse on my computer is easy to move and the remote control has fresh batteries so the buttons are easy to push. If I don't watch it I have strange pains and all over weakness from over use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Tommy, If I carry for instance a grocery bag with handles, my fingers will not straighten back out. I have to use my other hand to straighten them. I tried Lyrica and had terrible side effects. I too see a pain management doctor. I have an appointment on the 3rd of October. I've been very hesitant about mentioning it to him but I think I'm going to have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Ed, Have you ever tried the hand braces used with carpal tunnel? I was wondering if it might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 , Have you ever been to an orthopedic doctor to see if you have arthritis? I don't have any joint pain it's just muscle and I think some tendon pain. My hands just get weak and I get some pain when I carry bags. Tell your pain management doctor if you have an appointment soon he might send you for x-rays to see if it's arthritis or something else. Does your pain management doc know anything about CMT if not does he take any advice you can give him about it. My pain management doc and neurologist know each other her sent me to him so he'll give him a call or ask me if he's not sure about something plus I gave him some literature about CMT. Good luck and never hesitate about telling your doctor about a problem your having no matter how big or small it is it could just make your problem worsen over time and make it harder to make it better, I tell my doctors about everything and I have know idea what is causing most of my pain because I hurt my back at work and that's when I was diagnosed with CMT and then after reading up on CMT it does effect your lower back so I think my job plus the CMT caused my back problems. Tommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Hello , No, I haven't tried them. I can't say that I have a particular Carpal Tunnel problem as the strengths in all digits are standing up relatively well. At 6'6 " my arms and hands have never been particularly strong even in my sports playing days - basketball, crew, and tennis. Ed in NH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Tommy, My doctor is very familiar with CMT. I have an appointment on October 3rd. I've decided to bring the issue to his attention. It can't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 , That's good that he's very familiar with CMT and that your going to tell him about your hands. Good luck and let me know what he tell you. Tommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 , When I read your email,I thought she could be writing about me. My pain is in my hands. I scared that they will follow the progression of my feet. If so, I will not be able to move my fingers in a couple of years. I wish I could offer hope, but I'm still looking for it also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Thanks for the e-mail . I am looking for an orthopedic doctor that specializes in the hand. I figure it can't hurt to see what he or she has to say. Good luck. I'll update you on any information I find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.