exercise

[Kent R]

Thanks Donna. I appreciate the knowledge and advice.
K

[Ellie]

DeeH 😉 You figured it out!

Thanks for your quick reply Donna.

Yes, they are very similar to mine, except mine end mid-forearm. I asked because mine are ancient and showing the effects of weekly washing! I was looking at options these last few days but I've been very happy with them, so I'll stick with the same type I think - they seem to be fairly standard issue.

I wear mine every night in bed and find the stretch lasts well into the next day, but I can't move my arms, so they don't exactly interfere with anything. My physio, like Thomas's, also said it's best to start wearing them early on, before contraction really sets in and stretches are painful.

Love Ellie.

[DeeH]

Hi Ellie (how do I do) the Ellie - ok


He got them from the hand physio

They go from under the elbow to the tips of the fingers (BLue) NEURO TEC

She adjusted them with a heat gun as left fingers more curled then right. The palm bit is slightly curled and the fingers and arms are strapped in with velcro

He can't even sleep with a watch, so when he is watching TV

Only had them for about 10 days and not used them every day

Should use at least twice a day for about 45 minutes

Still trying to time meds, meals and hand straps as he can't use his hands at all with them on

Love

Donna

[Ellie]

DeeH Donna, if you don't mind me asking... what type of hand splints does Thomas have and does he wear them overnight?

Love Ellie.

[DeeH]

Hi all, I'm starting to lose the grip of fingers and thumb, with everything small or delicate. My palms are still stronger, so to hold 'broom handle' thick things like cutlery still works.

I am trying hand squeezers and a large rubber ball to exercise fingers. It helps but is really tiring and i can still feel my fingers curling into my palms when i don't want them too.

Has anyone found single finger stretching exercises helpful to prolong strength, or is it just wasting time (and hope) that it could make a small difference and delay the inevitable.

Any suggestions and experience is appreciated. Thanks,
Kent

Kent

we had the putty and hand gripper thing.

The hand physio said that only strengthens the curl

You should do stuff to counter the curling fingers, like passive stretching.

I don't know if this would work but using mini elastic bands between the fingers to stretch.

Husband's fingers and arms are in permentant curl at rest, we are just trying to preserve the stretch, with passive stretching and the hand splints

Told no amount of exercise will build muscle back up, it is about preserving range of motion

Good luck

Donna

[denise]

Thank you Barry. So next time I shall tell him make it or starve! Your choice buster!
sometimes it's not even a nice ask, more like a demand. 😐

[Barry52]

Hi Denise,

Isn’t it strange how we all approach life with MND in different ways. For me I hate the loss of independence and it took me a long time before I felt comfortable asking for help but for some people they find it easy to sit back. You suggest Stephen is capable of doing some things so maybe you should not be so eager to do everything for him. If he can can make tea and toast then the moment he gets thirsty or hungry then this will spur him into action. I’m sorry if this sounds harsh and there will come a time when you have to take over but that may arrive early if he gives up trying.

Best wishes,
Barry

[denise]

stephen had some putty stuff for hand exercises but we dont even know where it is now! he used to do exercises every night but now he has given up. to get him to go for a walk is hard work and as for doing the funky chicken - welll i might as well just go try lay an egg! sometimes i could just .... well i know he feels tired but i just want him to try and not just give up.
another thing that i wanted to ask is if i am not careful he will do nothing. i help him with most things but feel sure he is able to do somethings for himself. like i know he can make tea and toast and he can roll himself a fag! there have been times when he wants me to do it and i say well at least try and then i will take over if you cant. this seems to work. its horrible to see him struggle but then again if he doesnt at least try then wont it go the same way as the exercises he will just give up. i feel cruel but then again i do a lot already and sometimes i think by not doing anything surely his brain is going to pack in not just the rest of his moving parts.
another thing is when i have managed to get him out for a walk then he says well i feel better when i get going! what it takes out of me to actually get him to go for a walk i could honestly go for a lie down im worn out.

[Kent R]

Thanks Ellie and Gary...I'm going to do stretching each finger more, throughout each day. That seems to make sense. I have also given up on shoe laces, writing my name and holding anything small with one hand (because I drop everything). Just got a long shoe horn and some really comfy laceless Sketchers that just slip on, but still look like lace ups.

[matthew55]

I may be a grumpy old man but sometimes I think these 'experts' know nothing about MND and treat us like 'normal' people. One nutritionist was convinced that I could gain weight. 😞

[GaryM]

Hi all, I'm starting to lose the grip of fingers and thumb, with everything small or delicate. My palms are still stronger, so to hold 'broom handle' thick things like cutlery still works.

I am trying hand squeezers and a large rubber ball to exercise fingers. It helps but is really tiring and i can still feel my fingers curling into my palms when i don't want them too.

Has anyone found single finger stretching exercises helpful to prolong strength, or is it just wasting time (and hope) that it could make a small difference and delay the inevitable.

Any suggestions and experience is appreciated. Thanks,
Kent

Hi Kent,

The very first symptom I noticed was difficulty tying my shoelaces. It sounds like you're only exercising the muscles that close your hand (flexors). I'm no expert, but when I saw the physio for the first time last week, she said it's also important to exercise the muscles that open the hand (extensors). I have some Meglio Therapy Putty (other makes available), which can be squeezed and stretched into different shapes with one hand. It can be quite entertaining just playing with the stuff. Alternatively, a thick rubber band across your fingers and thumb would counteract the gripping exercises.

[Ellie]

Hi Kent and welcome to the Forum (cool avatar 😁)

I'm going to disappoint you and say there's no magic exercise regime which helps preserve function, but you can keep muscles and joints supple and mobile by stretching them and doing gentle exercises - if it feels too much, it is too much.

The muscles which control your finger curls are actually in your forearm and, if your fingers are generally in a curled in position, it causes the muscles to contract and makes stretching out the fingers uncomfortable. It's best to stretch out the fingers actively or passively from early on - I've worn braces at night since mine started curling into my palm.

I'm sorry you're having difficulty - glad you can manage the Shrek-sized cutlery!!

Love Ellie.

[matthew55]

Sadly I think it's a waste of time as my right hand is visibly getting thinner than my left. Guess which is my dominant one? ☹️

[Kent R]

Hi all, I'm starting to lose the grip of fingers and thumb, with everything small or delicate. My palms are still stronger, so to hold 'broom handle' thick things like cutlery still works.

I am trying hand squeezers and a large rubber ball to exercise fingers. It helps but is really tiring and i can still feel my fingers curling into my palms when i don't want them too.

Has anyone found single finger stretching exercises helpful to prolong strength, or is it just wasting time (and hope) that it could make a small difference and delay the inevitable.

Any suggestions and experience is appreciated. Thanks,
Kent

[Lynne K]

Hi all, about exercise: I was sent a sheet of hand exercises by my physio months ago. I did them regularly for a week and naughty me hasn’t done them since. I’ll print it, put it in a plastic folder thing and leave it by your riser/recliner chair because they can be done when I’m reading. I’ve started to do half an hour on my powered peddling machine. I’d stopped doing that also a few months ago. I started again about a week ago. I ‘Lloyd have to get some arm exercises out of one of my books. I’ve got weight and a stretchy band that I haven’t used since I went to the gym regularly. I don’t fancy using the weights but the stretchy band would be great. Lynne x