This is topic Products for People with Diminished Hand Function in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
Hi,

I just found this site this AM, and it's interesting for people such as myself who repetitive hand motion is difficult:

http://www.disabledhands.com/

There are products - like an electric pot scrubber - sounds like a relief, doesn't it?

I checked further into the electric pot scrubber; it runs on AA batteries, and apparently there isn't all that much "juice". We recently bought a "Scum buster" by Black and Decker which we're now using on the dishes. Much better, but would like to find attachments that could get us better into glasses, etc.

I have no association with the site, but thought I would pass it along for others who might find the ideas useful. How about a washing machine that dries as well? Would be nice if I could afford it!

Best,

canbravelyme.

[ 27. January 2007, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: canbravelyme ]
 
Posted by Laurie (Member # 159) on :
 
Hey - thanks - I'm going to check into it. I am R handed and my arthritis is very disabling. I only have it in my R hand, of course.

I have a little rubber whirligig that slips onto a light switch, also a curvy handled ballpoint pen.
 
Posted by jif (Member # 9215) on :
 
THANKS!
 
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
As a result of a post on another forum, plus my recent foray into the wonderful world of electric scrubbers for dishes and bathrooms...I put the two together and realized the reason that I've lapsed brushing / flossing my teeth as much as I would otherwise (I used to be an everynight flosser, twice a day brusher) is because of the repetitive movements, and how small movements cause me stiffness and discomfort.

I did some research on the internet, and came up with this:

"The new Oral-B Triumph gets your teeth cleaner and gums healthier than you ever thought possible. This rechargeable toothbrush removes twice as much plaque as a manual toothbrush. The new FlossAction Brushead with MicroPulse Bristles cleans as effectively as brushing with a manual brush and flossing. Smart Technology displays actual brushing time, tracks charge... More level, and advises when brush head has passed optimal-cleaning performance."

http://shopping.msn.com/prices/shp/?itemId=90342276

http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/01/14/electricbrushes_030114.html


Best,

canbravelyme.
 
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
 
great site and examples! [Wink]
 
Posted by imanurse (Member # 7022) on :
 
Thanks for posting. I have lots of hand issues and loss of strenght in my hands.

I have some of the products listed on the website but am interested in anything that makes my life easier.
 
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
 
For those with hand issues. I was misdiagnosed with tendinitis before Lyme. My hand pain was actually caused by swollen muscles in my shoulders, neck and upper back.

What helped was a combination of Flexeril (a muscle relaxer) and physical therapy that included myofascial trigger point release, stretching, and strengthening. Neither would have worked alone.

Just putting this out there. I lost the use of my hands for a year because I was put in wrist braces and my hands were so weakened.
 
Posted by Pa Lymie (Member # 11020) on :
 
I wish my home health nurse would've reccomended one of those battery t.brushes when I was so ill.

Now I have one and will never go without.
Great gift for a loved one who may be having trouble.
 
Posted by FightFireWithWater (Member # 5781) on :
 
Thanks for the links. I have found that using the "Today's active topics" option at the top of the Flash Discussion page saves my hands from so much clicking. I get a preview of all the posts that way and it saves opening threads that have just a few words.
 
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
That's awesome, FightFireWithWater! Thanks so much [Smile]
 
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
 
I had trouble with my right hand (I'm RHanded) for the past year and found the following useful. some of this stuff is expensive:

voice recognition software (Dragon Naturally Speaking- expensive but SO worth it for me)

trackball mouse (I use a Logitech, the model with the ball on top, so you can use it with either right or left hand, and don't have to use a thumb to track with). Costs about the same as a regular mouse, I thikn I got it Best Buy but TigerDirect (online retailer) probably has it cheaper.

electric toothbrush (which incidentally is REALLY good for your teeth and gums). I tried the OralB "cheap" one ($40 at drug store)- the type with a rotating head- and didn't like it, and got the more expensive Sonicare ($75 on eBay), which has a vibrating/oscillating head

flossing with those plastic floss holders is easier than using my aching thumb to grip the string floss

Those OXO jar openers on the disabled hands website are a godsend (not the electric kind but the regular 'grip with a handle' thing that's in Target/supermarkets housewares section)

I'm really grateful I had a food processor already- grating things was impossible for me. It was easier to wash a food processor than to deal with gripping little bits of food or gripping a knife for chopping vegetables.
 
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
 
I also used a copyholder from an office supply store for holding my books open so I didn't have to use my thumb (there's a neater gadget at the disabled hands website- a little plastic piece that fits over your thumb so you don't have to grip the book open). the copyholder can also help you keep the book at a good height for reading so you don't strain your neck looking down, if you have neck pain that causes this to be a problem.
 
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
 
Should this one get moved over to 'general support'? It seems like a good topic, and if it's over there it won't be buried many pages back like it'll get if it stays in medical.
 
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
I think that's a very good idea; do you know how we contact the moderator?
 
Posted by FightFireWithWater (Member # 5781) on :
 
I'd like to see it on both boards. More people read the medical questions board, but you are also right that it is easier to keep it in view on General.
 


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