Hello dear community friends. My partner has PSP, it all started 13 years ago with some cognitive problems, it is now primarily physical as his core cognitive abilities of all but disappeared.
My first question is how to clean his hand as his fingers are closed tightly over his palm. I’ve got mittens to help for most of the time but I can’t open his fingers are really properly wash regularly. Any advice would be very gratefully received.
My first question is how to clean his hand as his fingers are closed tightly over his palm. I’ve got mittens to help I most of the time but I can’t open his fingers to really properly wash regularly. Any advice would be very gratefully received.
My second question my second question is People talk about CBD oil (and cream) but when you look there is an awful lot of choice and I wonder what people generally use to ease pain and muscle tightness please.
Many thanks
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Atomic55
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My patient has both hands tightly clenched except her thumb and index fingers.I soak them in epsome salts and soap daily.I use a very thin cotton sack cloth to clean b/t the fingers and use a large qtip to clean inside the palm.After soaking I rinse then dry them really well using the dry end of the cloth.It is very important to dry really well.you can use a hair dryer if they can not be dried well with a cloth. I keep her fingernails clipped and filed very short to prevent them from digging in to her palms.She also gets botox injections to help them not be quite so tight.Hope this helps.
Same pb with lh hand. Forcing fingers partly open, at shower passing my finger wet/soap inside the hand. Washing with shower wather, passing inside the hand some skin protective cream, drying with paper tissue and with hairdryier. My best, enzo
Thank you for your reply Enzo. Sadly, my partner Has critical mobile problems and can no longer get into the shower but I could try that on the bed with a bowl of water and some soup thank you. Mike
Thank you Sandir, that sounds like a good idea I’ve not found large Q-Tips but I will search for those. Sadly, I have no help in the house partly because of Covid so I’m pressed for time all the time, to do this washing every day would be almost impossible but I’m gonna have a go. Thank you for taking the time to respond I’m very grateful. Mike
Perhaps a thorough procedure doesn’t need to be done very often since the hand isn’t being used and isn’t getting that germy. In addition to the great tips already given, some hand sanitizers are just thin alcohol and an occasional little splash could get in there and also would evaporate. We got a bathroom faucet with a pullout spout which helps for a person in a wheelchair.
Muy husband has similar difficulty. The physio made him a splint which has has opened up his elbow and wrist joints a bit. He wears that for an hour or two each day. The rest of the time he holds a (dry)rolled up face cloth in each hand. Do you have carers to help wash him? Very best wishes Sheila
Hello Sheila thank you so much for your reply. There seems to be very little knowledge or help even from people in the neurological team. However I found online a palm protector both hands now. It’s not an ideal solution but it stops it getting so dirty and also stops the nail from digging in.
We combat stiffness in hands, arms and legs with gentle and persistent massages. We have read that the drug "Baclofen" can help in some cases. Ask Physician.
Isotonic drinks are interesting to help maintain blood electrolytes at the correct level. Lack of the proper level of electrolytes in the blood can cause spasms.
Some include a dose of 3 to 6 mg of CBD Oil (20/1-CBD/THC) via subling, usually before dinner, to stimulate appetite, reduce anxiety and as a co-adjuvant analgesic in neuropathic pain.
In periods of patient more intense anxiety some increase the frequency of the dose by applying it before lunch and before dinner on the same day. If you are interested see:
Thank you so much Luis. I’ll have a read of the link. My partner is now receiving 45 drinks because he’s losing weight but I’ll ask about CBD as part of his diet to do so much to do. Thanks again.
Some really good advice here; I am managing the same thing with my Mom and her right hand. If you end up using CBD creams - I’d be interested in knowing how that works! I’ve considered using some in moms hands as well. Blessings to you both 🥰
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