We call him Leo - Clenching Hands - PSP Association

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We call him Leo - Clenching Hands

bazooka111 profile image
14 Replies

I wanted to share something that has really made the clenching of Moms right hand a little better 😄

First, it helps that mom loves animal prints — I found small pet toys at the store (I know a pet toy?); they are perfect size for mom to hold — soft, but firm - and they keep her hand dry. We used the rolled wash cloth, but this gives a little smile to the idea. 🐆 🐯 🦒

Happy Sunday friends!

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bazooka111 profile image
bazooka111
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14 Replies
AliBee1 profile image
AliBee1

Nigel had a 'purple doggy'which helped him. My grandaughter laughs about it as one day I gave it to him when he was in a bad mood and instead of helping he somehow managed to chuck it away with an almost understandable ' F..k purple doggy'. I don't think she had ever heard him swear before !

bazooka111 profile image
bazooka111 in reply toAliBee1

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

Abrecheisen53 profile image
Abrecheisen53

OMG! So cute! Never thought of that. John had a "fidget" blanket that my granddaughter made for him. The blanket and Disney Plus is how I made dinner. Love Leo! Alice

bazooka111 profile image
bazooka111 in reply toAbrecheisen53

Hi Alice! Hope you’re well. Yes Momma holds tight to Leo and her other little friends that I pick up now and then!

Cianodude profile image
Cianodude

My mum has sheepskin hand protectors that we got from the OT but our problem now is her both hands are so rigid she screams in pain when we even touch her fingers to try clean her hands..they smell soooo bad..its heartbreaking to hear to scream out in pain..she can no longer speak or communicate...has anyone ever tried botox to relax the muscles in both hands or anything else..

daddyt profile image
daddyt in reply toCianodude

I hear that Botox injections for the hands work, but will not restore function.

Tim

Mick72 profile image
Mick72 in reply toCianodude

Hi, my husband’s right hand is always tightly closed. We always worry about hurting him if we try to open his hand to clean it. We have physio done weekly to get him some relief from rigidity. Our physio guy is really caring and friendly. He has shown me and my daughter how to get around opening his hand plus turning his fist around to get his arm in the right position. He holds my husband’s right wrist with his left hand and moves his fist slowly up & down. His fist becomes softer and his fingers gradually soften. Then he opens his finger one by one by moving each finger slowly up and down from the finger joint. He supports his elbow with his left hand and then he slowly turns his hand inwards to the normal position.Our physio guy asked us to record the video when he does his exercises for us to watch. I would have loved to share the video with everyone but I need his permission. Plus we would not like anyone getting hurt in case it does not work on their patient. Good luck.

bazooka111 profile image
bazooka111 in reply toMick72

Great advice! Thanks for sharing.

bazooka111 profile image
bazooka111 in reply toCianodude

Moms right hand is tightly closed, and we work on her opening them on her own every day - she still can, but it takes along time just to get it open - I will say “let’s do some hand exercises Mom” and she now starts on her own to open that hand. I don’t know how long that will last, but we will keep trying to keep it open. Her left hand has started to show significant signs of weakness. No Botox here — due to COVID we just don’t get out much.

crwban profile image
crwban

My wife has the same condition with both hands being tightly clenched and we are frightened of hurting her when we try and open her hands to wash or place muslin pads in her palms - similar to Cianodude's post. Any other suggestions please would be a great help.

bazooka111 profile image
bazooka111 in reply tocrwban

I’m sorry to hear both hands — I think that is where are headed with Moms left hand now.

Cianodude profile image
Cianodude in reply tocrwban

My mum has been given rivitrol similar to baclofen...started it last friday..but its totally sedated her..not happy with this at all...we were told baclofen would relax the hands but seeing her sedated like that if it goes on like that ill ask to take her off it..we have the sheepskin protectors after washing her hands its horrific trying to get them on her but it keeps the skin away from her fingers..and you can wear them for up to a week...she wears them on both hands....we also have a referral gone to neuro physiology for the botulinum injections.they say it could be january

Mick72 profile image
Mick72

Thank you for sharing. It is a such a good idea. I will get some soft toy for my husband.

bazooka111 profile image
bazooka111 in reply toMick72

Hope you’re well

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