Hi.
I have recently been diagnosed with RA [2 weeks ago} and so am very new to this. I am currently on Steroids to control the initial inflammation in my hands and have yet to have an in depth clinical assessment.
Simple quick question. What are the best types/kinds of cold packs you have used? Whether shop bought or home made. I have a pack which goes into the freezer, but the pack really needs to be flexible rather than 'frozen solid'.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
Charliecat
Birds eye peas! Flexible and cheap just write on bag. Don’t eat.
Therapearls are malleable. They are pearls/little beads in a pack and are cold but not totally frozen. They’ve always worked for me.
Used these to wrap round my cocker spaniel legs after elbow surgery!! Extremely flexible and lasted well considering the wrap around .But personally the good old bag of peas is the best for coverage!!
Frozen peas far too stiff and cold for me, personally. It’s the flexibility of the Therapearls I prefer.
Definitely agree. Therapearls mould so well over the awkward bits of the body. I wouldnt be without them.
They’re not freezing cold enough to make you wince which I can’t stand, but cold enough to relieve.
Buy the cheapest frozen peas ,wrap then in a tea towel & voila..the best cold pack ever. But personally I would run a mile if anyone tried to put ice on my painful joints, I like warmth.
Bio freeze is amazing and what the massage therapists and chiropractors use in their practices x
I use a gel pack, that comes with a soft pouch that you can strap on, and move around with. It’s mainly for larger joints though.
We eat peas in this house so could never misuse them! We have some ice sheets that have individual cells in them that are flexible enough to wrap around and keep cold a long time. We also cut them to size for certain lunch boxes, so the smaller ones are great for a foot.
They have lasted well, I originally bought them about 35 years ago.
I use heat packs for my hands (or even just warm water running over them) and ice packs for my knees, no one ever told me to do this but the thought of ice on my hands during a flare makes me wince! Seems to work for me 😀
Hi, I tried hot and cold packs initially and then moved onto Isotoper gloves and a hand massager. Have you also tried Isotoper compression gloves? Great to sleep in and seem to reset the hands ready for the next day. I also bought a hand massager/compression unit for £50 online. This is a marvelous gadget as you can use it as and when you feel your hands benefit from a top up. They really do work.
Hi, thanks.
That's a useful tip about Isotoper. I bought some cheapy gloves a few weeks ago to see if they would help and they seem to - or at least makes me feel more comfortable.
I tried cheap ones first too. Then went for an appointment with hand therapy at my local hospital. The Isotoper ones are far superior. For a start the stitching joints are on the outside which makes them much more comfortable. Also they really work. Both the gloves and the machine increases blood flow which lessens inflammation levels, aids recovery and therefore less inflammation levels equals less swelling and pain. I was skeptical at first but I'm a convert. You can not only sleep in them but wear them throughout the day. If you are doing household chores put rubber gloves over them and you can then crack on with cleaning the bath or washing windows.....oh joy!
Also look into red light therapy. Again this too really works for reducing inflammation. I got my machines from Primal living but you can get them elsewhere too. Again red light therapy reduces inflammation, promotes healing and equals less pain.
It does feel daunting initially but there's lots out there that can really help nowadays. Good luck xx
Do you mean Isotoner?
Thanks
Yes I do. They are a skin coloured glove. You'll have to measure your palm to get the right size.
Warmth over cold any day. I couldn’t bare freezing cold on my aching joints so I use microwave wheaty packs, I have 4 of them and an electric one for neck and back
Take care
Wendy xx
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.
I was a little confused about cold vs heat; the advice I've read seems to be cold for flares and inflammation, heat for healing and comfort. The overall message seems to be 'experiment a bit and see what works for you'. So that's what I'll do.
This all new to me. I am 70 and have had type one diabetes for 58 years; the last thing I needed was another auto-immune disease! Isn't one enough?😺 I'm quite fearful for the future, but will do my utmost to manage this. I will no doubt come back to you all for your advice and helpful tips in the future.
Thanks again.
Ice packs
Blister packs
Left arm cold & waking up numb
Cold weather!!!
chest cold
