Failing fingers

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

My right hand has just taken a turn for the worse. I am now wearing a vinyl glove to try to keep my fingers together. I can't use a brace when I type. Rheumatologist said surgery is the only treatment.

I researched yesterday and hand surgery in RA cases is not particularly successful. Many scars and sometimes increased lack of dexterity. It is my right hand (the deformity always appears first in the hand that's used most and I'm such a "righty" I doubt I will be able to type with just my left hand). I will discuss this with a surgeon, and in the meantime, the vinyl glove is helping.

Almost shed tears while researching and watching a video of hand surgery (really awful), but I didn't cry. I never cry about my health, just about everything else. I have been typing for over 60 years and using a computer for 36. Touch screens won't do much for me because one still has to type, e.g., on this BB.

This is not a surprise, I knew it would come. I just hate that it's here. I still feel lucky to be alive at this age and will just have to accept that life is going to be different in the coming months.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

athenian · ‎03-18-2012

Praying for you.

have you tried a tablet? You can type with one finger, and I use my left hand when the right gets tired. It is slower.

fancy pantsy · ‎06-25-2014

i am so sorry. you will be in my thoughts and prayers

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@athenian wrote:
Praying for you.

have you tried a tablet? You can type with one finger, and I use my left hand when the right gets tired. It is slower.

I am thinking that will be the way I will have to go. But I hate them so much . . . received one free from Comcast last year and gave it to my daughter. If I can hold a pointer, that might work. I'll just have to find a way. I know it will be slow going and that will be frustrating . . . but I'll try anything.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

Mmsfoxxie · ‎06-19-2010

@LilacTree, I know what you mean. As soon as you accept one thing breaking down on your body, here comes another darn thing, right. Starts around 60, I think. Thank you, though, for helping me realize the arthritis in my hand still gives me nine fingers that work well.

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore to be happy”. (By Nightbirde, singer of the song, It’s Ok)

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
@LilacTree, I know what you mean. As soon as you accept one thing breaking down on your body, here comes another darn thing, right. Starts around 60, I think. Thank you, though, for helping me realize the arthritis in my hand still gives me nine fingers that work well.

I'm assuming you have osteoarthritis, not RA? I didn't get it until I was 66, so I had a nice long life without it. I'm so sorry you have already lost the use of a finger at only 60.

I know there are worse afflictions. I am grateful for that. I just hate the thought of slowly losing my physical abilities one by one, I've already lost so many.

I just recently had a Medicare Wellness Check and my brain is still fine. IMO, that would be the worst.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

2blonde · ‎03-10-2010

@LilacTree Oh, Lilac, I'm so sorry about this problem. I know how much you love these boards and depend on being able to "talk" with all of us here. You are such a beautiful person. You never show any ill feelings toward anyone here. It's amazing to me that you can remain so positive through all your physical difficulties.

I do think a tablet may be the best option for you, but I hate them too, so I know how you feel about that. One thing I've learned as I've gotten older is no matter what challenges my body puts out there for me, I always manage to find a way around them. I know you will also find a way to continue doing what you love........good luck to you!

Laura loves cats!

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@2blonde wrote:
@LilacTree Oh, Lilac, I'm so sorry about this problem. I know how much you love these boards and depend on being able to "talk" with all of us here. You are such a beautiful person. You never show any ill feelings toward anyone here. It's amazing to me that you can remain so positive through all your physical difficulties.

I do think a tablet may be the best option for you, but I hate them too, so I know how you feel about that. One thing I've learned as I've gotten older is no matter what challenges my body puts out there for me, I always manage to find a way around them. I know you will also find a way to continue doing what you love........good luck to you!

@2blonde That's me too. I'm a fighter in every aspect of my life. And I've been fighting these autoimmune issues for 12 years now. Thank you for your kind words, they help so much!

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@fancy pantsy wrote:
i am so sorry. you will be in my thoughts and prayers

Thank you, fancy pantsy.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@LilacTree wrote:
My right hand has just taken a turn for the worse. I am now wearing a vinyl glove to try to keep my fingers together. I can't use a brace when I type. Rheumatologist said surgery is the only treatment.

I researched yesterday and hand surgery in RA cases is not particularly successful. Many scars and sometimes increased lack of dexterity. It is my right hand (the deformity always appears first in the hand that's used most and I'm such a "righty" I doubt I will be able to type with just my left hand). I will discuss this with a surgeon, and in the meantime, the vinyl glove is helping.

Almost shed tears while researching and watching a video of hand surgery (really awful), but I didn't cry. I never cry about my health, just about everything else. I have been typing for over 60 years and using a computer for 36. Touch screens won't do much for me because one still has to type, e.g., on this BB.

This is not a surprise, I knew it would come. I just hate that it's here. I still feel lucky to be alive at this age and will just have to accept that life is going to be different in the coming months.

Oh it sounds very painful! I really feel for you. I have been told by my rheumy that I need hand surgery, too. But my hands are just the opposite of yours...my hands are frozen in a fixed semi-fist position. I can no longer move my fingers. I tell people I have manikin-itis. It's my way of saying scleroderma. Surgery would not be my choice. I am finally adapting to having bucket-carrying hands after having put up with this disease for 14+ years. In your case, however, surgery would be a step in the right direction and I hope you can heal well from it. I, too feel lucky to be alive after all I've been through with this terrible disease. No cure...just a lot of hope and lots of praying. Take care.