Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

[Guest guest]

I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my doc,

too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female, and then

people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want to

shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school. Often they

see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get disrupted.

Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so vigorously

it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned out funny cuz I

did not like the man after all....and did not want what he was offering, LOL-

If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint helps

keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

- In , " ltlmisscrankypants " <ltlmisscrankypants@h...>

wrote:

>

> Hi...

>

> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to people

> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't always

> want people to know I have RA.

>

> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something and

> avoid it all?

>

> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my doc,

too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female, and then

people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want to

shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school. Often they

see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get disrupted.

Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so vigorously

it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned out funny cuz I

did not like the man after all....and did not want what he was offering, LOL-

If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint helps

keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

- In , " ltlmisscrankypants " <ltlmisscrankypants@h...>

wrote:

>

> Hi...

>

> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to people

> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't always

> want people to know I have RA.

>

> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something and

> avoid it all?

>

> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>

>

[Guest guest]

My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

Joyce M

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school. Often

they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

disrupted.

Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

was offering, LOL-

If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

- In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

<ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>

> Hi...

>

> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

people

> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

always

> want people to know I have RA.

>

> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something and

> avoid it all?

>

> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>

>

[Guest guest]

My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

Joyce M

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school. Often

they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

disrupted.

Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

was offering, LOL-

If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

- In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

<ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>

> Hi...

>

> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

people

> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

always

> want people to know I have RA.

>

> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something and

> avoid it all?

>

> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>

>

[Guest guest]

Not the middle one, was it, LOL? Sue

On Sunday, April 24, 2005, at 10:09 AM, Joyce McCrary wrote:

>

> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his

> finger.

[Guest guest]

Ijust dont like shaking hands because of being on MTX. At church is the worst

because everyone wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of getting sick. Yet I

dont know what to say I hate to explain I have RA and take a chemo drug blah,

blah, blah or I take chemo but I dont have cancer. So I also have been stuck on

what to do or what to say.Its not really a pain issue but germs. Any

suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

Joyce M

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school. Often

they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

disrupted.

Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

was offering, LOL-

If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

- In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

<ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>

> Hi...

>

> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

people

> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

always

> want people to know I have RA.

>

> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something and

> avoid it all?

>

> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>

>

[Guest guest]

My job requires me to be in meetings ALOT so usually I just say that I'm

getting over a cold and would like to not shake hands. Mostly people

just leave it alone after that.

Bill

Latisha Vallone wrote:

> Ijust dont like shaking hands because of being on MTX. At church is

> the worst because everyone wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of

> getting sick. Yet I dont know what to say I hate to explain I have RA

> and take a chemo drug blah, blah, blah or I take chemo but I dont have

> cancer. So I also have been stuck on what to do or what to say.Its not

> really a pain issue but germs. Any suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

>

> Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

> Joyce M

>

>

> [ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi...

> >

> > Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> > shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

> > when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> > don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

> > want people to know I have RA.

> >

> > Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say

> something and

> > avoid it all?

> >

> > Anyone have a good one-liner???

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My job requires me to be in meetings ALOT so usually I just say that I'm

getting over a cold and would like to not shake hands. Mostly people

just leave it alone after that.

Bill

Latisha Vallone wrote:

> Ijust dont like shaking hands because of being on MTX. At church is

> the worst because everyone wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of

> getting sick. Yet I dont know what to say I hate to explain I have RA

> and take a chemo drug blah, blah, blah or I take chemo but I dont have

> cancer. So I also have been stuck on what to do or what to say.Its not

> really a pain issue but germs. Any suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

>

> Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

> Joyce M

>

>

> [ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi...

> >

> > Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> > shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

> > when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> > don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

> > want people to know I have RA.

> >

> > Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say

> something and

> > avoid it all?

> >

> > Anyone have a good one-liner???

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Latisha Vallone

> Ijust dont like shaking hands because of being on MTX. At church is the worst

because everyone wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of getting sick. Yet I

dont know what to say I hate to explain I have RA and take a chemo drug blah,

blah, blah or I take chemo but I dont have cancer. So I also have been stuck on

what to do or what to say.Its not really a pain issue but germs. Any

suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

If you go to a church where everyone dresses up, you could always wear some nice

gloves.

Nina

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Latisha Vallone

> Ijust dont like shaking hands because of being on MTX. At church is the worst

because everyone wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of getting sick. Yet I

dont know what to say I hate to explain I have RA and take a chemo drug blah,

blah, blah or I take chemo but I dont have cancer. So I also have been stuck on

what to do or what to say.Its not really a pain issue but germs. Any

suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

If you go to a church where everyone dresses up, you could always wear some nice

gloves.

Nina

[Guest guest]

No it was his pointer finger......Joyce

Re: [ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

Not the middle one, was it, LOL? Sue

On Sunday, April 24, 2005, at 10:09 AM, Joyce McCrary wrote:

>

> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his

> finger.

[Guest guest]

No it was his pointer finger......Joyce

Re: [ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

Not the middle one, was it, LOL? Sue

On Sunday, April 24, 2005, at 10:09 AM, Joyce McCrary wrote:

>

> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his

> finger.

[Guest guest]

Hi there Latisha

I am on methotrexate and enbrel and if I get sick i have to stop my meds

so I tell people that I can not have body contact with anyone because

if i catch a cold it would interfere with my meds and that would not be

good for me.

It is so hard sometimes to be careful. I just hope they don't think I

am being a snob....LOL but it my life and my health and I have decided

to put that first. But if that don't work then you can carry with you

in your purse the little bottle of hand sanitizer. I have one in my car

and one in my purse at all times. Because not only hand shakes but

touching shopping carts or door handles....you can pick up germs. This

is the safest method.

Hope your doing ok with your RA.

Corinne

Latisha Vallone wrote:

> Ijust dont like shaking hands because of being on MTX. At church is

> the worst because everyone wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of

> getting sick. Yet I dont know what to say I hate to explain I have RA

> and take a chemo drug blah, blah, blah or I take chemo but I dont have

> cancer. So I also have been stuck on what to do or what to say.Its not

> really a pain issue but germs. Any suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

>

> Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

> Joyce M

>

>

> [ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi...

> >

> > Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> > shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

> > when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> > don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

> > want people to know I have RA.

> >

> > Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say

> something and

> > avoid it all?

> >

> > Anyone have a good one-liner???

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there Latisha

I am on methotrexate and enbrel and if I get sick i have to stop my meds

so I tell people that I can not have body contact with anyone because

if i catch a cold it would interfere with my meds and that would not be

good for me.

It is so hard sometimes to be careful. I just hope they don't think I

am being a snob....LOL but it my life and my health and I have decided

to put that first. But if that don't work then you can carry with you

in your purse the little bottle of hand sanitizer. I have one in my car

and one in my purse at all times. Because not only hand shakes but

touching shopping carts or door handles....you can pick up germs. This

is the safest method.

Hope your doing ok with your RA.

Corinne

Latisha Vallone wrote:

> Ijust dont like shaking hands because of being on MTX. At church is

> the worst because everyone wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of

> getting sick. Yet I dont know what to say I hate to explain I have RA

> and take a chemo drug blah, blah, blah or I take chemo but I dont have

> cancer. So I also have been stuck on what to do or what to say.Its not

> really a pain issue but germs. Any suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

>

> Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

> Joyce M

>

>

> [ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi...

> >

> > Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> > shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

> > when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> > don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

> > want people to know I have RA.

> >

> > Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say

> something and

> > avoid it all?

> >

> > Anyone have a good one-liner???

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Greetings, Latisha! This is " squarehead Ken " , answering your post. I, too, worry

about " germs " in public! I have been on mtx so long, almost all my hair has

disappeared, and I KNOW my immune system is not what it shoul be...you know how

I solved it? I (being a man, it's somewhat easier, ) went out and bought a pair

of " " cowboy type gloves, made of deerskin, and when ever I go out, I

wear them! You, being a Lady, should have no trouble finding a nice pair of

gloves....that way you are protecting yourself, without drawing too much

attention to yourself! E mail me back when you get this, o.k.? Please? Let me

know what you think of this idea! All my love....ken

Latisha Vallone <latishavallone@...> wrote:Ijust dont like shaking hands

because of being on MTX. At church is the worst because everyone wants to shake

your hands and Im afraid of getting sick. Yet I dont know what to say I hate to

explain I have RA and take a chemo drug blah, blah, blah or I take chemo but I

dont have cancer. So I also have been stuck on what to do or what to say.Its not

really a pain issue but germs. Any suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

Joyce M

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school. Often

they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

disrupted.

Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

was offering, LOL-

If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

- In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

<ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>

> Hi...

>

> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

people

> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

always

> want people to know I have RA.

>

> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something and

> avoid it all?

>

> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>

>

[Guest guest]

Greetings, Latisha! This is " squarehead Ken " , answering your post. I, too, worry

about " germs " in public! I have been on mtx so long, almost all my hair has

disappeared, and I KNOW my immune system is not what it shoul be...you know how

I solved it? I (being a man, it's somewhat easier, ) went out and bought a pair

of " " cowboy type gloves, made of deerskin, and when ever I go out, I

wear them! You, being a Lady, should have no trouble finding a nice pair of

gloves....that way you are protecting yourself, without drawing too much

attention to yourself! E mail me back when you get this, o.k.? Please? Let me

know what you think of this idea! All my love....ken

Latisha Vallone <latishavallone@...> wrote:Ijust dont like shaking hands

because of being on MTX. At church is the worst because everyone wants to shake

your hands and Im afraid of getting sick. Yet I dont know what to say I hate to

explain I have RA and take a chemo drug blah, blah, blah or I take chemo but I

dont have cancer. So I also have been stuck on what to do or what to say.Its not

really a pain issue but germs. Any suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

Joyce M

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school. Often

they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

disrupted.

Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

was offering, LOL-

If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

- In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

<ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>

> Hi...

>

> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

people

> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

always

> want people to know I have RA.

>

> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something and

> avoid it all?

>

> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>

>

[Guest guest]

All you folks need to do is watch the TV show " Monk " , a detective show

starring a paranoid detective with all kinds of phobias. He always has his

private nurse by his side with a lot of baby wipes.

Dennis

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>>

>> Hi...

>>

>> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

>> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

>> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

>> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

>> want people to know I have RA.

>>

>> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something

>> and

>> avoid it all?

>>

>> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

All you folks need to do is watch the TV show " Monk " , a detective show

starring a paranoid detective with all kinds of phobias. He always has his

private nurse by his side with a lot of baby wipes.

Dennis

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>>

>> Hi...

>>

>> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

>> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

>> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

>> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

>> want people to know I have RA.

>>

>> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something

>> and

>> avoid it all?

>>

>> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

From Ken to Dennis...GREAT ONE! I LOVE your answer! haha! Love, ken.

Dennis W <betnden@...> wrote:All you folks need to do is watch

the TV show " Monk " , a detective show

starring a paranoid detective with all kinds of phobias. He always has his

private nurse by his side with a lot of baby wipes.

Dennis

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>>

>> Hi...

>>

>> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

>> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

>> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

>> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

>> want people to know I have RA.

>>

>> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something

>> and

>> avoid it all?

>>

>> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

From Ken to Dennis...GREAT ONE! I LOVE your answer! haha! Love, ken.

Dennis W <betnden@...> wrote:All you folks need to do is watch

the TV show " Monk " , a detective show

starring a paranoid detective with all kinds of phobias. He always has his

private nurse by his side with a lot of baby wipes.

Dennis

[ ] Re: Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>

>

> I have asked that same question a couple times here, and I have asked my

> doc, too. My doc says hold my hand out palm side down, since I am female,

> and then people won't grab it the same way. (so dainty?)

> I have tried wearing splints on days when I know a lot of people will want

> to shake my hand- like parent teacher conferences at the high school.

> Often

> they see the splint and take their hand away and conversation does not get

> disrupted.

> Last week, I was not thinking and a man grabbed my hand and shook so

> vigorously it took me to my poor decrepit knees, LOL, in the end it turned

> out funny cuz I did not like the man after all....and did not want what he

> was offering, LOL-

> If I wear the splints, even if they do shake my hand, sometimes the splint

> helps keep them from squeezing or pumping hard.

>

>

> - In , " ltlmisscrankypants "

> <ltlmisscrankypants@h...> wrote:

>>

>> Hi...

>>

>> Just a question about handshakes. When I meet new people and they

>> shake my hand, I find it quite painful. I don't know what to say to

> people

>> when they extend their hand. First impressions are lasting ones, and I

>> don't want to offend anyone. I don't know what to say.....and don't

> always

>> want people to know I have RA.

>>

>> Do I shake hands and just deal with the pain.....or do I say something

>> and

>> avoid it all?

>>

>> Anyone have a good one-liner???

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

People always ask me how I'm doing when I'm out and about. My usual answer

is, " I'm OK but I think I'll get over it! " . It catches some off-guard, and

the expression is priceless. Gotta have fun somehow...

Dennis

Re: [ ] Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>>

>> Greetings, Latisha! This is " squarehead Ken " , answering your post. I,

>> too,

>> worry about " germs " in public! I have been on mtx so long, almost all my

>> hair has disappeared, and I KNOW my immune system is not what it shoul

>> be...you know how I solved it? I (being a man, it's somewhat easier, )

>> went out and bought a pair of " " cowboy type gloves, made of

>> deerskin, and when ever I go out, I wear them! You, being a Lady, should

>> have no trouble finding a nice pair of gloves....that way you are

>> protecting yourself, without drawing too much attention to yourself! E

>> mail me back when you get this, o.k.? Please? Let me know what you think

>> of this idea! All my love....ken

>>

>> Latisha Vallone <latishavallone@...> wrote:Ijust dont like shaking

>> hands because of being on MTX. At church is the worst because everyone

>> wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of getting sick. Yet I dont know

>> what to say I hate to explain I have RA and take a chemo drug blah, blah,

>> blah or I take chemo but I dont have cancer. So I also have been stuck on

>> what to do or what to say.Its not really a pain issue but germs. Any

>> suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

>>

>> Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

>> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

>> Joyce M

[Guest guest]

People always ask me how I'm doing when I'm out and about. My usual answer

is, " I'm OK but I think I'll get over it! " . It catches some off-guard, and

the expression is priceless. Gotta have fun somehow...

Dennis

Re: [ ] Dreading Handshakes GOOD question!

>

>

>>

>> Greetings, Latisha! This is " squarehead Ken " , answering your post. I,

>> too,

>> worry about " germs " in public! I have been on mtx so long, almost all my

>> hair has disappeared, and I KNOW my immune system is not what it shoul

>> be...you know how I solved it? I (being a man, it's somewhat easier, )

>> went out and bought a pair of " " cowboy type gloves, made of

>> deerskin, and when ever I go out, I wear them! You, being a Lady, should

>> have no trouble finding a nice pair of gloves....that way you are

>> protecting yourself, without drawing too much attention to yourself! E

>> mail me back when you get this, o.k.? Please? Let me know what you think

>> of this idea! All my love....ken

>>

>> Latisha Vallone <latishavallone@...> wrote:Ijust dont like shaking

>> hands because of being on MTX. At church is the worst because everyone

>> wants to shake your hands and Im afraid of getting sick. Yet I dont know

>> what to say I hate to explain I have RA and take a chemo drug blah, blah,

>> blah or I take chemo but I dont have cancer. So I also have been stuck on

>> what to do or what to say.Its not really a pain issue but germs. Any

>> suggestions?? Thanks Latisha

>>

>> Joyce McCrary <j.mccrary@...> wrote:

>> My husband use to stick his finger out so people would shake his finger.

>> Joyce M