COMPRESSION GLOVES

[Marm]

Has anyone tried the compression gloves advertised from Direct Shop? They say they are approved by the Arthritis Foundation. Don't know whether to invest in a pair.

[allanah]

My experience is they don't fit too well, but hot so me from the Occupational Therapist at Rheumy department which help. Ask for a referral to the OT department and they can also give/sell you other equipment pieces which may help you a bit cheaper. I have gadgets to open jars. Padded cutlery etc etc. Good luck xx

[Jacki08 in reply to allanah]

Hi--- ive just read your comment on gloves, and you mentioned padded cultery--- was that from occ therapy? I really suffer whilst eating- (hasn't stopped me eating tho!!!)--- and have always been a stickler for table manners--- this RD has robbed me of that as well!!!

[allanah in reply to Jacki08]

Yea my hospital OT was wonderful and suggested loads of things to help me. Cutlery, splints, grips for jars, key holders , tipping kettles and even asked if I needed any changes to the house as she could refer me. It didn't take too long to see mine and she and my physio are worth their weight in gold, indeed in nominate them for the Health care champion award and they won!!!

[Jacki08 in reply to allanah]

Thanks Allanah-- I'll ask my OT X

[allanah in reply to Jacki08]

Have a long chat and tell her your difficulties and painful areas, ask for an assessment. Xx

[Jacki08 in reply to allanah]

Thanks--- I'll do that-- its still all a bit new to me yet x

[sylvi in reply to Jacki08]

I use specially made cutlery if you go to Ability superstore you will see lots of aids to help with eating and drinking. I have knives,forks and spoons which are thick and soft. Also they do two handled cups which i have as well. if your on facebook they have a page there and you can get all the details there.xxxx

[Jacki08]

I bought some from amazon--- key in" gloves for arthritic hands"--- they are grey and I think they are called ' medipaq'. .I couldn't manage without sleeping in them. They are £11.95 a pair. Hope that helps.

[sylvi in reply to Jacki08]

If you have a betterware or kleeneze agent you will find gloves in there. xxxx

[hatshepsut]

I have a pair from my ot, and a pair from amazon. My skin is very fragile, so I can't usually wear splints. I find they ease the pain.

Yes, your ot can supply special cutlery, I have a set, much easier to hold. Just ask to be referred. M x

[Hidden]

Yes when bad I wear them at night when my hands are sore.

They can be expensive so you will need to shop around, or you can ask the GP or RA Nurse, not forgetting your OT, if you have one

Generally I find them sometimes not giving relief that I expect. as you generally need to wear them at night when in bed. Remember they compress the hands so sometimes can be a little uncomfortable

Good Luck

BOB

[Hobbits]

I use compression gloves called Waggs. They are actually made for people who have arthritis and they have different models. I have the ones made for yoga, but they have various models to fit different needs. They are breathable, compress the hands and are fingerless just past the second finger joint so you can wear them and still use your fingers, the yoga ones have wrist support also and you can adjust a velcro strap to loosen or tighten wrist compression. Downside to them is cost. The yoga ones cost about 80.00, the regular ones about 40.00

I bought them online from the USA.

A lady with Arthritis developed and started this company. I will say the quality is perfect. I used to be really good at yoga, now I'm bearly able to keep up with a beginner class as my hands and wrist among other joints make impossible for me to do any yoga without supportive gloves. They feel weird at first, but then you quickly get used to having them on. I need my fingertips free, so they don't get too hot and you can still read a book, push the TV clicker, scratch your itch. They were an investment for me.

I believe the website is Waggs.com

I also use that rubber stuff the doctors use to tourniquet your arm to take blood, to open jars, it's very grippy and works like a charm.

I love hearing about products and I enjoyed reading everyone's responce to the original post. You discover things and brands you never knew existed.

I didn't know there was padded cutlery. I'm gonna look that one up, cause I could really use something like that. Sometimes a padded room sounds good too so I stop banging my sore tired arthritic foot on the coffee table. I think arthritis has made me a clutz too, I don't think there is any cure for that either.

Great post Marm, all the suggestions on here sound great. I think the investment is worth it, even for a little relief. When I don't wear the gloves at night I find sleeping on my side with my hands tucked between my upper legs helps, my legs give some compression to my knuckles and keeps my fingers straight, otherwise I wake up with my hands in a tight ball which is painful to open them. It sounds weird but that works for me, as I already sleep in a fetal position.

[Marm]

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. I'm going to see a a physiotherapist and OT on Friday so will ask for advice, however your comments are really helpful. It is always good to get info from other RA sufferers as this is all still new to me . Thanks again. Marie

[GemsfromWarks]

My OT gave me thin compression gloves - must come over your middle knuckle - the ones I bought are on line were too short in the fingers. I also have a wrap that supports my thumb and also keeps my fingers warm. These have allowed me to keep playing my viola for the last few years and it helps me to keep my finger joints mobile which reduces the speed of permanent damage.

She also gave me a pair of gloves called Thermoskin which are fingerless but are very warm and grippy and are ideal to wear on cold days when I am driving.

I ask for a steak knife when we eat out as it is so much less painful when cutting meat.

[Possitive_ attitude in reply to GemsfromWarks]

I was recommended to use a steak knife, pipe lagging, small narrow piece with a full length slit in it. You can keep it in your pocket and thrn slip it over cutlery when out and about, to open door handles and to slip the handles of plastic bags into to spread the load and stop them digging in your fingers. No nobody notices.

[Marm]

Going to physio and OT today, you've all given me ideas, thank you. I'll let you know how I get on.