I have Neuropathy in my hands now too. When I am in Church or at work I have to greet people. How do you politly not shake hands with people without seeming rude or having to explain to everyone you meet that you have a problem? Especially because it is both hands, not just one. Does anyone have any ideas? It hurts so bad especailly when they give you a really firm handshake or pat your hand while shaking it.

In my mind, that's a toughy! I can't see any way around it without a simple explanation of why you can't shake hands. All you need say though, is that you have arthritis, you do not have to go into an extensive explanation of neuropathy. With no explanation, you may seem rude.

You can try this:

Buy one of those carpal tunnel braces and put it on your right hand.
When someone wants to shake with you just hold it up and wince.
Then reach out with the left and make a tiny forearm touch instead.
(this type of touch I use all the time and it calms people. It is very small, light
and non-invasive)

Do like Howie Mandell on "Deal or No Deal" - instead of shaking hands gently touch the other person's fists with yours. This is catching on and I'm seeing lots of people doing it now. Bet this really helps those with sore hands.

See if you can hand out the 'bulletins' or seat people....

if not the wrist brace is a good idea

or the updated hand fistshake should work...except for the old folks, who might not get it. (You may find yourself explaining even more).

They make a urethane glove or gel glove for cyclists..but you need the winter kind with full fingers....that could soften the crunch. No one has to bust your knuckles while shaking hands. Go to your local bike store explain you need winterized gel gloves....they should understand what you are asking for. These are similar to what wetsuits are made of...kind of spongey, yet some have gel to pad the cyclists hands.

I have plastic molded splints that make me look like a robot (for night use only and even then only one at a time...you can't take two at a time....too confining)....those will make folks run to the pew and pray thanks and sing allelluia like crazy!! An OT can fashion that for you...those are not squeezable at all.

Nothing is worse than explaining 'neuropathy'....I see people's eyes glaze over.

For me, folks that remember me as the indefatiguable athlete, it is too hard for them to associate me with a degenerative disease...those who know me well know I do not do well with pity. Others simply have a great denial system. Others think I am a just a witch.

Frankly, I try to gloss over the issue with most folks other than my husband, who is going deaf (and doesn't mind that). I know he hears only half of what I say.

Also, have you run the gamut on pain meds?? Tried them all?

I give you a lot of credit for staying active and bucking up to all the pain....keep up the good work, and say a prayer or two for me in whatever church you are in. They always ask me my religious preference when I check into the hospital, or the ER...I tell them when the time comes...ANY one will do.

This is something that might work too.http://www.domeproductsonline.com/ho...target=d7.html I remembered using them when I went on crocheting binges. I know I have one somewhere but I'm ordering new ones because the crutches are killiing my arthritic hands. If you order them in the flesh/beige color they wouldn't be so noticable and could be worn to church to perhaps help this pain.

Billye

How bright you all are,i've used every single one of the suggestions above,
I have to keep my fingers apart because if they touth the pain is terrible.
In Physical Therapy,it' hurts they do something called desensitize it hurts
at first,they insist on firm handshaking,,use a rolled up towel take your hands and roll ouch!! at first. many other things Usually i just speak up,
you know me..But people do forget,so i use the braces..Trying to separate
the papers to hand out is to painful for me..Or befor they grab you hand,
reach out and hug them gently,they may hurt as well.. How many of you
have hands that feel inflamed but do not look like Artheritis? This is a
good question that effects so many of us,hey i'm going to carry Dan's
feather thinky in my hand.lol After every body grabbing my hands at the
dinner party we hand,I could just cry today they hurt,burn,and shake.
Well i'm going to speak up and no more standing to long.. Hugs Sue

Oh Sue.....I can't say anything works.....I think we are all driven by the 'keep trying' philosophy. My hands do not work well, hurt something awful, but even worse is when I feel nothing and they do as they please....that is the scariest....I am sure you and many of you have been there....AND done that.

All very good suggestions, if it was me i would just say " don't mean to be rude but i have sore hands, the reasons are complicated and very hard for me to explain " and then quickly turn the attention back on them.

A big smile and a nice greating should well cover the hand shake bit, seeing you have already told them why you can't, without going into a long conversation about the reasons.

Good luck
Brian

Brian how wonderfiul, my grandmother when she could no longing
hear are see,she would just give a beautiful smile when she felt
someone near. We do what is best for us in a polite way..

Or we can just stare at others like this

C yes I agree my finger tips are numb and it is scary..Now
that I can't feel my feet and I get up my brain forgets
to say becareful your going to fall down I go,and then
another broken nose.Now that's scary and i can't breath.

But we manage to survive and keep on trucking..
And K it's good to hear from you,do you know
how much you mean to us,I sure hope so..I'll
here during the holidays,so come by all if you have
time...Hugs to all Sue