help, i can't move my hand
 

the rsd has flared really bad in my hand, and I can't open it. has anyone else had this and what do i do i will try to post a picture of it

here are the pics...
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d/rsdhand1.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d/rsdhand2.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...sd/rsdhand.jpg

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your arm

My arm did this when the RSD began to spread, my doctor diagnosed me with Dystonia (a movement disorder) as well as RSD. It took months to resolve but eventually I could open my hand - I started putting thick marker pens into any gap in the fist and stroking the muscle to stimulate some movement.

If you need anything, just ask
Pain free hugs
Alison

Hi,
I'm sure the others will be along soon with some ideas for you.

I know a few have had locking up or dystonia type problems of hand, arms or legs.

splinting has been mentioned, muscle relaxers or injections too I think.. that's just what i recall reading.

I wonder if Low Level Laser or Ultrasound treatments would help?
I don't recall seeing anyone mention those...
I suppose if it is a muscle based cause those might work , but if it is nerve based they most likely would not.

So sorry. Yes, this happened to me. It was so scary not to mention the pain. I soaked alot in epsom salts. Several times a day for 1/2 hour. I think the epsom salts really helped me. It felt good to me. I was fortunate to get a good OT that eventually got it working again, although the thumb is still atrophied. I had a cortisone shot that made the pain even worse. Just wanted to share my experience with you and wish you the best. I know we all can respond differently.
Oh, also the OT had me do a parafin wax treatment several times a week. I bought one and still do it (though not as frequently).
Hope you get the swelling down soon.
Linmarie
:hug:

thank you both so much! this started last night. my husband kept prying my hand open (good god i thought i would die) he made a splint to keep it open while i slept. i took it off to see if it would stay open, and well it didn't. so i am trying to splint it back.

thank you so much. i have tried to soak it, but not with epsom salt. i will try that now. what is parafin wax, and were do you get it?

Dear GJmom -

I can't imagine how frightening this must have been, let alone that you've had the presence of mind to be on the computer. A number of threads have been put up over the last year on dystonia. Two of the better ones were posted by Sandra (Sandel) and open links to compilations of various drug therapies:

Dystonia medication facts.. resource guide @ http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...light=dystonia

and

NEW BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PERSISTENT PAIN (dystonia etc) @ http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...light=dystonia

Of the drugs mentioned, I have never used any of the more interesting rheumatological agents. I have, however, used Baclofen with some success - although at the cost of short term memory. Klonopin is great for anxiety but did nothing for my spasms and while Flexeril was useless for me, I know others who swear by it. As with so many things, to each their own.

You should really be seen by a good neurologist. All the best.

Mike

ps Parafin wax is the old fashioned wax that my grandmother used to seal jelly. It's now used in a machine that heats it to variable tempratures in the 140 - 160 degree range. You quickly dip the affected limb in and out 5 times until a soft warming glove/boot/etc. forms, which you then keep on for a few minutes. Many people find it quite relaxing as did I, until one day I developed an incredible sensitivity to the heat, and that was the last of my parafin experience.

GJmom,
I was just thinking about your hand and what finally brought down the swelling on mine - prednisone. It took 3 rounds and the last round, high doses then tapered down, lasted 4 weeks. It brought the swelling down finally.
The parafin wax is what they use at nail salons. I bought mine at a department store. I have to go to a medical supply to get the wax but I think it originally came with some.

Linmarie
:hug:

So SO sorry for your problem GJm. I don't actually HAVE that problem BUT once that DID happen to me.

I got a massage and the massuese Streched my hands sideways, both of them. I TOLD him that hurt but he said it was good to stretch all the tendons and ligaments in your hands so I allowed him to continue, STUPIDLY!! The next morning BOTH my hands were all swollen JUST like yours and I couldn't even move my fingers. it took a few days for the swelling to go down and I was totally useless in the meantime. I did soak them in cool water frequently because Obviously he did some minute damage in there and they HURT. SO if someone tells you HURTING you is good for you, tell them to STOP!!!! and get away from them. I should have sued him but he was a student and the massage was free and there was no lasting damage.

Hi

We treat my daughter's RSD in our home with a mild hyperbaric chamber. We have a wonderful neighbor who suffers from cervical dystonia, unable to straighten her head to a forward position. With the approval of her doctor, she tried our chamber with amazing results. Upon completing three treatments she was in tears when she came out and realized that she could straighten her head. She also suffered for 18 years with pain at the sight of her mastectomy. This pain also responded and was gone after the initial 3 treatments.

Her dystonia was not associated with RSD, but I wanted to share this for what it might be worth. If there is anyway that you could give hyperbarics a try, I would very much encourage you to do so.

Best wishes,

Jeanne

Yep, had the very same thing happen to my left hand about 11 months ago. I got to an occupational therapist right away and started soaking in Epsom Salts (103 - 105 degrees) four times a day for 15 minutes. Then in between the soaks, I kept my hand really warm by wrapping it in microwaved soft rice bean bags. The constant warmth, OT, and espom salts got my hand moving in about three days and it took another month of keeping it up to get about 70% movement back. Now, a year later I would say I have close to 90% back.

Good luck.

Geeze. What IS this?? I never heard of it and so many people have it?? :confused:

Paraffin bath
 

You can get one at Wal-Mart for around $20. Comes with scented wax, but you can use unscented in it as well (look in canning supplies - it's the same stuff you use on the top of jelly jars). Let the wax melt on the lowest setting. Dip your hand in and out about 5-6 times, letting the wax cool in between. Then stick your hand in a plastic bag and wrap with a towel or the "oven mitt" that comes with the bath. Basically, this will really warm up your hand. After around 10 minutes, your hand will cool down a little, and just peel off the wax.

MUCH cheaper, less than $5.:


I used to buy this when I surfed. At a hardware store. The medical wax bath is really EXPENSIVE, almost $200. I bet you COULD just use a slow cooker set on LOW and it'd do the exact same thing.

Hi GJMom,

I forgot to say that when my hand was locked in a fist, the hospital took me down to the Operating Room and put a splint on my arm whilst I was asleep to try and keep it open. The splint didn't work really, and when the nurses removed it, my fingers curled back into a fist and they couldn't get the splint back on! I really hope that the splint your husband has made helps you.

I was also on muscle relaxants, these include, Baclofen, Diazepam, Kenadrin and Propranolol.

Please know that you are in my thoughts and if I can help you in any way please just let me know

Best wishes
Alison

Is this caused by overuse of the wrist and hand?? Seems the muscles in the arm and wrist go into contraction. OR is it a problem originating in the neck?? Cervical spine?? I know sometimes my arm goes numb and hand IF I sleep wrong and don't support my neck but usually some rotations, a hot shower and some stretching improve the whole situation. Our bodies tend to lock up if we don't MOVE. :o

Hi Wiix,
A quick explanation of RSD is that some systems of the body go into a hyper reactive state with severe pain. Blood flow, nerves, muscles are all affected to a high degree.
Use can make sx worse, but usually are not able to be relieved with what helps most of us feel better.

Do to the nervous system being hyper reactive some cannot tolerate hot water , touch or even gentle breezes.

I understand that. Paraesthesia, I had that once for about a year when I hurt my neck. My whole arm went DEAD and ached and felt SO tired all the time. Just making a fist was almost impossible. It took months of physical therapy to improve it but on the whole I think TIME was just what it needed to heal. I remember just the AC blower in the car on my arm HURT like a SOB. And to TRY to get anyone around me to understand the PAIN was impossible. I was still expected to do ALL my household stuff alone with NO help at all. People can be SO insensitive. I'll NEVER forget that year and that was probably over 30 years ago.

Thank you all so much!!! here is were I am at...
I was able to get my thumb out of my fist, and that helped so much! I have been using hot water and hot packs non stop!
I am trying to find a doctor in my area, but am having a hard time GRRRRRR. So I'm hoping that I will find one this week, and that will help so much!!

Well That's good news. :hug:

I find the Worst time to TRY to find a doctor is when I have a problem. I go to ER if it is serious enough BUT they are really no help either in finding a doc. I don't have one. I have tried to find one but there is always some problem. Either they aren't taking any new patients or they don't take my insurance or it's too far away. Always something. :o

Just keep doing what you are doing though. If there is improvement NOW then why would there not be if you just keep on doing what you are doing??