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Hi, my boyfriend of 3 years just recently was in a MVA leaving him with a C5/6 SCI. He just got out of the ICU and has been in Rehab for a week. He is constantly upset about his hands being numb and cold or stiff. Is this normal, what does it mean, and is there anything I can do to make him comfortable ! Help I am desperate
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Is Stiff Hands Normal ?
Pain indured by new SCI patients
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#1
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- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C 5/6
Posted 07 February 2008 - 01:11 AM
#2
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- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C6-7, MVA 1991
Posted 07 February 2008 - 12:34 PM
Hi, Copack-
I know for me, yes this is normal, unfortunately. I also have a pins and needles sensation in my hands all the time. At first I wore hand splints at night, made for me by an occupational therapist. They made my hands feel much better when they were on. After about 2 years though, my hands started to spasm too much to stay in them. My thumbs would pop out, and I'd get red spots from rubbing against the plastic, so I quit wearing them. I straighten my fingers out a lot to avoid contractures during the day. I take amytriptiline to decrease the nerve pain, and it helps me. There are newer meds too. Talk to the Dr. and the occupational therapist about remedies. I tried Baclophen, but I hated it. I couldn't say awake, and it didn't really help me, but it helps some people.
Two other things give some relief. One is just the passage of time. The brain habituates to the unpleasant stimulus and learns to disregard it to some degree. Another thing you can help with. Use lotion or oil, and massage his hands. This gives me quite a bit of relief, and makes me feel really relaxed when someone does it for me. The OT can also teach you range of motion exercises to do for him that can help.
Good luck!
Doublelibra
I know for me, yes this is normal, unfortunately. I also have a pins and needles sensation in my hands all the time. At first I wore hand splints at night, made for me by an occupational therapist. They made my hands feel much better when they were on. After about 2 years though, my hands started to spasm too much to stay in them. My thumbs would pop out, and I'd get red spots from rubbing against the plastic, so I quit wearing them. I straighten my fingers out a lot to avoid contractures during the day. I take amytriptiline to decrease the nerve pain, and it helps me. There are newer meds too. Talk to the Dr. and the occupational therapist about remedies. I tried Baclophen, but I hated it. I couldn't say awake, and it didn't really help me, but it helps some people.
Two other things give some relief. One is just the passage of time. The brain habituates to the unpleasant stimulus and learns to disregard it to some degree. Another thing you can help with. Use lotion or oil, and massage his hands. This gives me quite a bit of relief, and makes me feel really relaxed when someone does it for me. The OT can also teach you range of motion exercises to do for him that can help.
Good luck!
Doublelibra
#3
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- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C5-comp, I think, 4/15/05
Posted 10 February 2008 - 01:04 AM
And just this alternative opinion.
First off, by nice big round of applause for you -- hanging in there. That was one thing that made me believe in a real live God... my girlfriend hung around. For a year and a half, every day she showed up for this detail, I was amazed. So, we got married! It was really cool. Just as we marched in, the bright November sun sparkled in through the beautiful stained-glass windows in the church.
I look for the message anywhere I can find it. For example: today, it was the old BW Cary Grant movie The Bishop's Wife -- so apropos for me 'twas just like a 2x4 up side the head.
My wife recommended letting my hands curl up. They are a lot more useful that way.
First off, by nice big round of applause for you -- hanging in there. That was one thing that made me believe in a real live God... my girlfriend hung around. For a year and a half, every day she showed up for this detail, I was amazed. So, we got married! It was really cool. Just as we marched in, the bright November sun sparkled in through the beautiful stained-glass windows in the church.
I look for the message anywhere I can find it. For example: today, it was the old BW Cary Grant movie The Bishop's Wife -- so apropos for me 'twas just like a 2x4 up side the head.
My wife recommended letting my hands curl up. They are a lot more useful that way.
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