Re: Re: Thumb - tendonitis?

December 16, 2004

Hi Fran:

I have seen a commercial for an electric jar opener. Looks like it works

real good. Also, I could lend out my husband for opening cans etc. Just

teasing

of course.

I have been slowly replacing my kitchen utensil with a brand called

Ox----something. All of there utensils have rubber type handles and it does

definitely

help.

Take care

Barb

December 17, 2004

Dear Pat and Patty, this could have been written by me. My hands are

exactly the same way. I hate the zip lock bags, any plastic bag or

something you use hand strength to open, opening cans, cutting up my meat,

peeling potatoes, or basically doing anything at all with my hands. I'm

right handed too, but I found just like you I use my left hand way more than

I ever realized. I'm looking for a good can opener as well. Does anyone

have any suggestions out there?

As usual, when the pain is really bad I use cold gel packs and they help

numb the pain. I know a lot of people use heat, but my hands are always

burning anyhow, so that's out of the question. I drop things

constantly...life can be so much fun at times...lol.

Take care and know you have a sister out here in hand pain. Love, Fran

Hi Patty,

My thumb pain is in the right and left. I too have learned to use my

elbows to hold things and always use fat pens when I write. I also am

getting an electric jar opener. My husband does all the ziploc type

bags for me becuase I just can't get those. I am a righty and my left

hand is worse than the right, I would have thought that since I used

my right more it would be worse. Go figure, anyway I also have a hard

time with turning keys and I saw something on a website that can help

with that. When my hands hurt bad I end up having to hunt and peck to

type. Sorry I don't have more advice to offer, but most times I have

to ask for help to turn thing, carry etc... if no one is around,

sometimes it just doesn't get done.

I hope you have a better day tomorrow

Gentle hugs

Pat

December 17, 2004

Hi Fran,

I got an electric can opener as a wedding gift last

summer, that you attach to the can and it " walks "

around the top. It's lightweight and easy to use, I'll

check on the brand name this evening (don't remember

what it was...heck...I don't remember what I said five

minutes ago, and I just realized while sitting here at

work that I have some kind of food stuck to the front

of my sweater...I'm losing my mind along with my

ability to function like a " normal " human being

warm blessings, Jane

--- Fran Mishler <fran@...> wrote:

>

> Dear Pat and Patty, this could have been written by

> me. My hands are

> exactly the same way. I hate the zip lock bags, any

> plastic bag or

> something you use hand strength to open, opening

> cans, cutting up my meat,

> peeling potatoes, or basically doing anything at all

> with my hands. I'm

> right handed too, but I found just like you I use my

> left hand way more than

> I ever realized. I'm looking for a good can opener

> as well. Does anyone

> have any suggestions out there?

>

> As usual, when the pain is really bad I use cold gel

> packs and they help

> numb the pain. I know a lot of people use heat, but

> my hands are always

> burning anyhow, so that's out of the question. I

> drop things

> constantly...life can be so much fun at times...lol.

>

> Take care and know you have a sister out here in

> hand pain. Love, Fran

December 17, 2004

Dear Barb, thanks for the offer of your husband, but unfortunately one is

enough for me...lol. If you catch the name of the can opener in the

commercial let me know. Right now I just started looking, so I'm clueless

on which brand is the best. I'll check into the Ox utensils as well,

because the rubber handles are much easier. I tend to drop things a lot so

the rubber might keep things from breaking as well.

Thanks again for trying to help and have a great holiday. Love, Fran

Hi Fran:

I have seen a commercial for an electric jar opener. Looks like it works

real good. Also, I could lend out my husband for opening cans etc. Just

teasing

of course.

I have been slowly replacing my kitchen utensil with a brand called

Ox----something. All of there utensils have rubber type handles and it

does definitely

help.

Take care

Barb

December 17, 2004

Dear , Sweetie you are part of the sisterhood, all the time. You

never need to join, you are already a member...lol. Hope you are hanging in

there and doing ok. I'll write more soon. Love, Fran

may i please join the sisterhood? i'm right there with you all -

and i'm left handed but it seems to be slightly worse for my

right... although with my wrists they are both bad and seem to

fluctuate daily between right and left....

karen

December 18, 2004

I spent the spring and summer with pain in my hands. It wasn't just opening

things, they hurt all the time. I gave up most of my gardening and baking

because it hurt just to think about it. I got a lot of relief from the

parrafin dips and from just putting my bean bag thing in the microwave and

wrapping my hands in it.

I lost all of the hand pain with my new treatment. I am thankful every day

that I can grade more than one paper at a time and knead bread to my heart's

content (of course, I can't eat it)! I don't think anyone can imagine that

little hands can so effect your entire life unless they have experienced

this. I thought feet were the worst until it got to my lower back and