I'm currently looking at compression ... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
I'm currently looking at compression gloves as my fibromyalgia has flared up with the cold weather. Anybody got any recommendations?
has your occupational therapist recommended them for you ? I have gloves and splints. the gloves I have are 1 type for day time and 1 for night times and I have 2 different splints for my hands
You can get the gloves fro you local hospital in the pysio
Hi, I've always suffered from cold hands which became even worse with fibro to the point that they were so cold the pains were even worse. I bought a pair of IMAK arthritis gloves just over a year a go and wore them nearly all the time initially, even to bed sometimes! They worked for me and have just bought another pair but have found that my hands don't get nearly as cold as they used to ..to my surprise! It would appear that they have improved the circulation in my hands.. Bonus. I had the ones with the grips on which aren't particularly cheap but have found better than cheaper ones as they cover your wrists as well. Make sure you follow the sizing instructions to get a good fit. Last ones were ordered from Amazon as they were best price.
thank you all for taking the time to reply.
I'm not currently under an occupational therapist and i had to stop physio as i found it too painful. I was looking at the IMAK gloves but couldn't determine if they would work for me. I have swelling and pain in my hands from the fibro. I'm also looking at getting socks too as at the moment they are freezing cold, swollen and i'm getting pain and cramps in my lower legs. I also looked at the ones that connected to the touch tens but at £21 i thought it was a bit steep.
I think i'll go for the IMAK gloves and see how they work out. Thanks again for replying. Nat
Hi there fannakerpan, I got the IMAK compression gloves from amazon, £17 a pair, worth the money my fingers get swollen but these fingerless gloves help, they generate warmth, sometimes I dont have to put any gloves over the top when I go out as these are warm enough, well worth getting, thought of trying the socks but not sure, hope you manage toget what u want.......by the way I believe I may have said this before, how did you decide upon your user name....it makes me chuckle and brings back some lovely memories, when ever my Dad couldn't get my attention, he'd yell out " hey fanny fannakerpan" all in a joking way of course, he was a wonderful man, ...please don't think I'm being rude will you, it's just that it's a very old saying I'm 72 and my Dad used to call me that when I was around 8 or9, I apologise if you think I'm being rude, but do tell me if I am.....gentle hugs and a handful of sunshine coming your way....Dee xx
hi cookie
my dad used to call me fanakerpan when i was younger he was a fan of spike milligan lol. thanks for replying I have ordered a pair just waiting for them to arrive now. hugs to you too. nat.xxx
I just use Tubigrip which I have found better than gloves, as I don't like having my fingers separated all the time. This is available in my poundshop and a certain supermarket sells it cheaply too.
Ive not actually heard of them, i would speak to someone qualified before buying off of somewhere like Amazon. You have to remember, their object is selling!
Someone from a physio dept or orthotics(?) dept would be best to advise, and if they are right for you, that way you will be ensured of correct sizing. Speak to your GP and they should get you a referral. I wish you luck and hope you get some relief xx
hi thanks for the concern. arthritis uk actually recommend them for arthritis so i thought they would be okay for fibro. they should arrive soon. plus i'm awaiting a pain consultation so i will discuss it with him too.xxx
First thing, make sure it is the FMS creating your pain, not something that is nerve constricting...such as carpal tunnel syndrome, OR worse yet, RAYNAUDS. A constriction of the blood flow via the compression gloves will make it a horrible painful issue.
I have had Raynauds since 1981. Long time before I got a proper diagnosis. Doctors thought I had exposed the tissue to cold, gotten frost-bite, etc etc. That took 7 years to prove it was not frost bite Here in the US? In early fall? But I was waiting to go in with severe pain about December. True dx was about 1995-6. I was sent to Mayo Clinic here in Minnesota. Not all with FMS/Lupus, etc have Raynauds, and visa versa, but the tendency is to go hand in hand with both. And I do. There is OT/PT therapy to teach you what to do, as well as bio-feedback, and for sure what to do when the attack is longer than a few minutes.
Mine is at the great length of time. And I must go into action when I get to about 15-20 minutes to assure no tissue damage. Thing is, this happens in my house, while shopping for grocery, etc. Anything can set it off. It is NOT a psyco issue, but a physical thing that happens. And I have fingers that are red, white and blue/purple. Very painful. Think about wrapping a rubber band around your finger tightly and forgetting it. Just like that. Restricted blood flow.
If it is the FMS, understand that not every day are the gloves going to give you 100% relief. It is just like some days I hate my bra, and some days can't wait to put it on. The support is wonderful when your body screams for it. I used to wear compression pantihose 100% of the time when I worked the local hospital. Same reason, they feel good, but I am at the point now where I can't stand pantihose on my legs/skin. And now I have a latex allergy, which pantihose has in it.
I have used the hand splints as well, usually only when I have had an injury, and when I have to do laundry, etc things that lifting without them on would be painful. Even driving the car. BUT with FMS, to immobilize 100% is making that muscle weaker. Hands sore? Fill the sink with very warm water and put hands in, do squeezing exercises. Can use a dishcloth, etc or just pretend. I have a parabath...like a crockpot you put theraputic wax blocks into to warm up, and then you dip your hands (and feet where I also suffer Raynauds) into them. Remember, bacteria will grow in this warm substance so make sure you DO NOT SHARE it with anyone else. You don't want their germs. Germs will live in the wax and do you more harm. Put a plastic bag in the warmer THEN the wax, so you can dispose of it easier and more often.
Interestingly enough, me, here in the USA had to find my first basic information on Raynauds in the UK.
Saw mention of leg cramps. I use over the counter potassium in the afternoon and evening for that. I have a prescription from my doctor for a larger dose in the morning. This has removed my leg cramps 100%. If I skip a day, the cramps are back. I am a lap swimmer and that is very noticeable.
So many things that irritate the person with FMS.
Grandma Joyce, MN/USA
thank you so much for taking the time to reply in such a detailed way. i'm awaiting a pain consultant appointment so i will discuss thing with him. nat.xxx
