Hello.

[JerryC]

Lilly,

It's not from the meds. I talked to the doc about it and he advised me to give it some time.

I have talked to them about the pain. Right now we are trying several different types of meds to see if we can reduce the pain to a level I can deal with.

Jerry

Lilly Wrote:Hi Jerry,
An FCE = Functional Capacity Exam

Apparently you had a head injury, if your taster is off. Head injuries can do this. It could also be a side effect from one of your meds. Look up the side effects for the meds you take. Hpefully it it caused by the meds. Have you told your doctor about the loss of taste? If so, what did he say?
Sorry you are having constant pain, have you asked the MD about it?
Take care, Lilly

[JerryC]

Pooh,

Yes, I have tried rubber bands. That rubber tube stuff that they give you at PT/OT. I have tried using one of those hand exercise things that you squeeze. I constantly move my hand because if I don't it gets stiff.

The PT folks are great and have been a huge help where my back is concerned. Yes, they have shown me just about everything they possibly could. It has helped with the back, but the hand just doesn't want to respond to anything I do.

The person I was going to for OT retired. So its a bit difficult to get help from that part of the facility. Basically if I want to pay for it, they are more than willing to talk to me, otherwise they are "busy."

Ugh, my blood pressure sucks these days. I used to run 100-105 over 60 - 70. Now I am pushing 130 over 80 - 90.


Jerry

Pooh Wrote:Jerry

Have you tried using rubber bands and using them to stretch the fingers and strengthen them? Did they show you any exercises with them? I found that they really did help me.

If your still in contact with your OT or PT person they may show you a few if they haven't yet. At least my PT goes over new exercises with me when I need to move up more or I want to check and see if I can do them on the bowflex.

I understand how frustrating it is not being able to do things you used to do, because of limitations. It takes a while to get back to where you can do those things and lots and lots of exercises. Some of the other things I have used for my hands are clay - you know play doh works wonders - it is also softer and you can do more things with it to get more dexterity built up. Those exercise balls for the hands. You may want to start out with a small nerf ball at first and build up - anything that will let you get a chance to move your fingers more.

My son also had lots of legos so I had all of those to try and build things with.

Sounds like I went into a 2nd childhood didn't it ....... lol But you know what it helped and most of the stuff I had on hand since I had a kid at home.

I think I ended up with about 20 lbs in my right hand when all was said and done and about 40 in my left - so I lost about 10% in my left hand and about and about 60% in my right hand as far as grip strength.

Dropping things are part of life but eventually you know what you can and can't pick up and there are still days that things you normally can pick up that you can't pick those things up. Like I said you make adjustments to your life.

Sounds like your also taking a high dose of the amtriptyline. How is your blood pressure doing? That is one thing you have to watch on that medication. I was on a similar drug in the same class for a while and eventually it threw my HBP totally out of wack and my PCP had to double my bp medication and then ended up adding another medication as well. Then out of the blue I bottomed out totally on my BP and have been of my medication now for about 2 yrs.

[JerryC]

Chrischris,

I constantly move my hand, mostly I rub it and flex the fingers. If I don't then it does get very stiff.

I can imagine how freaked out you must have been when you heard about your reaction to those meds. I know I would have been!!

Jerry

chrischris Wrote:Jerry, I know that if I don't constantly keep my fingers moving they stiffen up and I can't open my hand. It has become a habit, but some habits are good. I also get trigger point massage on my upper extremities. It helps a lot. Just massaging your hand might also help.

Talking about medications. A while back when my panic attacks were really bad, my doctor put me on some type on anti psychotic medication at bedtime. It knocked me out, but..........my husband said one night I sat up in bed and just started meowing, and then kicking my legs, and the meowing got louder and louder OMG! Well I tried the medications the next night, and I woke up curled up in a ball on the floor by my bed. No memory of anything! So, I quit taking that med, even though it was the best sleep I have had in months.

Meow Meow Meow

[chrischris]

Hi Jerry, You sound a lot like me with the hand. I feel like a spazz sometimes because the constant finger flexing and hand movements has to leave other people wondering what's wrong with that lady? LOL!!! Whatever works.

Also to relieve some of the arm pain, I sit with pillows under each arm for elevation, and I type with my laptop close enough to not extend my arms beyond the pillows. And I have a smaller cervical pillow which supports my neck from bopping up and down while I'm on the sofa.

It takes awhile to find out what works and that's why it's good to have a forum from which you can gather information from others.

[Still in Limbo]

Hi Jerry! I'm Sorry I haven't Replied until Now, Welcome to the Board!! You are to be Commended for Your Strong Will and Great Attitude, they will Help You Immensely during Your Recovery!! My Issues are only Lower Back, Failed Back surgery, and Chronic Pain, so I can't offer much to You as far as Your Hand injury is Concerned, I just wanted to Jump on Here and say Hello, and to let You know that You have chosen a Great Site for Help and Understanding! I went to many Boards until I found this One, and the Folks Here are Very Knowledgeable and Patient, a great Group of People!! Hang in there, some Injuries take Time to Correct themselves, and it takes Patience at Times to get through it all. As far as the Pain, are You dealing with a Pain Management Specialist? The Best thing that happened to Me was Pain Management, My Dr. actually Listens, and we Work Constantly to get the Right Meds. to Control My Pain. It's surely Hit and Miss until You find the Correct Mix of Meds to Help, but Hopefully they Will find the right Meds, for You! Hang in There, and I Hope things look Up Soon!!