Items to help with hand, back, and foot pain?
 

Okay, I am not even going to try and talk to the neuro about this right now as I finally got some of the scripts I have been waiting on for weeks.

My hands have a lot of alternating numbness, weakness, and pain in them. Writing a lot with a pen is horrible and I like to write in a journal. Anyone know of any special type of pen that may help with the pressure of holding one?

My neuro thinks it could be carpal tunnel and I have been wearing wrist splints at night and it doesn't make a difference. My fingers feel swollen and tender and it gets more difficult to type.

I seem to have no shoes that feel comfortable. I want something that feels cushiony and nothing at home seems to fit that bill. Sneakers sometime work but when it's been 95 I can't fathom the thought of socks and shoes! I was wearing my new LL Bean sandals but they seem to be getting uncomfy now too.

I just ordered some new slippers from LL Bean for around the house as the ones I always wear are worn out. I also ordered a Crocs-type slide from LL Bean that seems like it may be comfy. It was a sale item along with the slippers and another pair of sandals that are like the Tevas that have a strap over the top on your foot and another around the ankle (with Velcro).

I think my back hurts because my feet aren't comfy. My couch is great and I sit on it a lot but my cushions seem to have been deflated since 2000 when I bought it. I can feel my ample behind sink down the little bit of cushioning they have left.

The store I bought my couch from is no longer in business. Is there such a thing as getting new cushions put in the old slipcovers? Where would one go to have that done?

I am open to any ideas and suggestions here. I use heat and ice packs a lot on my back, legs and hands to help with the discomfort. I'm a teacher so I only have a week and a half left of work. I do a lot of stuff at home over the summer so I am looking for things to help me make my life work better.

Thanks everyone,
Weebs 37:eek:

Hi weebs,

Are any of your scripts for pain (Gabapentin or something along the lines of that?), I also tried Trileptal for like 2 weeks. I know you want to write in a journal but is there anyway you can get some voice recognition software and just have it typed up on your computer for you --giving your hand a break for a little bit?

I don't know which amazingly comfy sandals I was trying on at walmart but I did go down the aisle and I found one pair (i'll probably get for school) that were so cushioned, I loved them but don't remember the name and I think they were in the men's aisle (I have big feet *sigh*).

I found a website on writing aids that might help :)

That website had links on them but when I touched them, they were gone. But one of the pens was called Dr. Grip and I just googled that:

http://www.pilotpen.us/products/ball...#anchor_drGrip

And this pen is supposed to be for people with hand problems, weakness, etc :)
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/enews/2006/Enews-V4-I2.htm

I can completely relate to you regarding the hand and foot pain. My hands give me the most trouble - especially my right one. It's been numb since October 2007 and my Neuro says that he isn't expecting the feeling to come back - but this is MS we're dealing with so anything is possible.

I take Neurontin (600 mg 3X daily) and Baclofen (20 mg 3X daily) and it helps some but it makes me groggy. Hopefully that side effect will wear off soon.

I don't even try to write anymore as it's become to difficult. I can still type but after a little bit that gets painful, too.

What do you take for the pain?

I believe the heat and humidity is making my symptoms worse. My hand feels stiffer than usual and the Neurontin makes my fingers swell a little.

I have some pain in my left foot and it's been so painful that the it's been hard to walk but I always manage to figure out a way. I wear Keds mostly although I do have a few pair of sandals for the summer. They tend to trip me up occasionally so I really feel more secure and steady in my Keds.

I wear Merrell's and find they give me the most support. I have been liiving in my 2 pairs of merrell clogs for the past year. Just ordered another pair. They are a tad bit expensive.

Thanks everyone.

I don't take anything for the pain, although I do take Baclofen 40 mg at bedtime and maybe 20 mg another time during the day. I also take 0.5 mg Klonopin at bedtime. (That's for horrid leg spasms, along with Requip.)

I take some other meds but none of them are for pain, really.

I don't want to call the neuro's office again as it's been 3 weeks trying to get scripts I just got on Thursday. I have been pawned off on the NP and now it takes a million calls to get anything done and it takes forever to get any answers.

I may just ask my PCP when I see him in a few weeks if he can refill my Klonopin (as the NP didn't remember when I asked 3X) and see if he would be willing to give me something else if it gets worse.

It's not intolerable now but it us somewhat annoying and is painful at times.

I'll check out those links later.
Weebs37

Are you in a relapse right now, or is this an ongoing problem?

I get that feeling in my hands (they are normally slightly numb), but all the other sensations, plus EXTRA numbness, come on during a spinal lesion attack.

Are ALL your fingers numb, or is it just a few of them? This defines MS-numbness, vs. Carpal Tunnel.


A sore back is also an indication of spinal lesion activity for me. I can have pain in one area for weeks, or the pain can shift around. It is a quite sharp (vs. dull) pain, and I have only one chair that I can sit on during those periods. It can let up suddenly, ie. one straight month of pain, then miraculously I wake up one day and the pain is gone for months (or years).

Cherie

Have you tried Earth Spirit shoes? Don't let the low price fool you. Like walking on clouds, I tell ya.

:)

And they last - I have a pair of work boots for gardening that are at least 6-7 yrs old. Still feel all cushy inside and not worn out at all.

Earth Spirit!! I think THOSE are the shoes I was wearing in walmart!! *lol* The only thing that kills me, I try to spend about $5 on shoes *lol* and those were like $14..*sigh* I'll have to suck it up for school.. but those shoes definitely are like walking on two pillows! :)

Oh, and yes you can get new foam pieces cut for your couch, cut by a furniture upholsterer. I don't know how expensive it would be, but imagine it would be much less then a new suite.

Cherie

foot pain is my main complaint. I cant wear anything that sits on the
backs of my heels. I mainly wear my birkenstocks or I have one pair
of earth spirits I can wear(real cheapos but comfy.)

I have tried everything and everyone. I take a mix of drugs that take the
edge off.:( If you need ideas pm me.:)

:hug: truly I feel your pain.