Not another part out of commission

[cjsmith]

Wrist tendons still unhappy from Saturday. Improving, but noticeably "fragile" still. Wheelchairs are dangerous, people.

The last thing I need is (semi-)permanent trouble with my arms... as a computer programmer or as someone whose feet aren't healthy.

Therefore, caution! I can do that.

I figure I'll get to the point where I haven't felt pain from normal activities for a week, and then I can get back on the water rower.

Comments

[sunnydale47.livejournal.com]

Ouch! I can definitely relate to that! Using my cane caused one or more of the carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and tendinitis I have in my wrists. Once that developed there were times when I desperately needed to use the cane for my painful knees, but couldn't because my wrists were too painful. A couple of times I had to use a wheelchair and have someone push it. I wanted a scooter in the worst way in those days. Are you still considering one?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh yuck! I wondered if that ever happened to people who needed wheelchairs full time -- does such a person ever try too hard too early, and mess up the arms for the foreseeable future? That'd be an awful fix to be in. And now that you mention your situation, I realize it at least DOES happen to some folk. Dang, that's awful.

Yes, I'm still vaguely considering a scooter, but not desperately yet. I don't need it very often and so far I have been able to rent them for big occasions.

Do you have a scooter? It seems like that would still be a useful thing for you, even if you don't need it often.

Rascal Scooter

[justetthon.livejournal.com]

My mother has a RASCAL scooter she'd be happy to sell you. She can't maneuver it any more at all due to failing eyesight, and the thing sits idle in her apartment. Trick is, you'd pay sale price (negotiable with her) plus shipping from Maryland... hhmmm. anyway, these little Rascals are the ticket to mobility.... not obtrusive and quick little things to get around in. Hers is a bigger model than the tiny little things, but a thought.

Re: Rascal Scooter

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Shipping's probably prohibitive, and as I'm tiny & weak-armed I'd want the smallest thing I could get... but hey, nifty idea, and I got to go check out Rascals because you mentioned them! Cool!

Re: Rascal Scooter

[justetthon.livejournal.com]

http://www.rascalstore.com/store/catalog/index.html

The Rascal chairs come in a couple of sizes of chairs and weights... the smallest of them run around quite nicely and put no strain whatsoever on your wrists in "pushing wheels" ... a rack can be gotten to carry it around on your car if you don't have an SUV or van to roll it into. The Rascal people come to your home with a free demo of a couple of models, they take a "history of interest" first to determine what might best suit you and your situation... definitely worth checking out. Good luck.

Re: Rascal Scooter

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I checked out the web site when you mentioned the brand, and I can see they have a variety -- even some "rugged for outdoors" stuff.

There are days when I just want to custom design something along these lines. Interchangeable tires/axles for indoor versus out, smaller width and length than anything currently on the market, carbon fiber construction for strength and light weight, a wide range of ways to carry stuff... :)

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

One of the things my PT used to have me do to help my wrists was the following:
Get a basin of really hot (but not scalding) water. Get a second basin of ice water. Alternate soaking up to the elbows hot, then cold, one minute each, a total of ten minutes. It's unpleasant. It also helps with blood flow and swelling. You're supposed to do it three times a day.
You will hate it.
It will make the pain subside sooner.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ohhhhh yes, the hot and the cold. Great for inflammation in general, right? I think that's what I've done it for in the past. Actually, I don't find it that terrible to do. Almost soothing, for most of the time, once I get over the shock of each transition.

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

What they told me was that it increased blood flow (which helps in healing), and helped reduce inflammation and pain.
I always hated it. But it helped.
I found that bus trays worked well. I think I got them at Smart and Final.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I heard that I was supposed to end with the cold on each set to reduce inflammation overall.

I only hated it when I heated the water too darn hot. It's hard to get the right temp! I did my feet for a while alternating between the hot tub (I was sitting on the edge) and a big bucket of ice water (swivel on my butt to reach that). The hot tub wasn't hot enough really, but it was close and a lot better than burning myself in the kitchen.

[hitchhiker.livejournal.com]

*wince* I've had scares like that - thankfully, they usually pass if you're careful for the next while.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yep. Already I have signs of improvement: yesterday, for example, was the first day I could scrub my hair without pain. Improvement over a span of days is a very good sign in this sort of thing. If I can continue to be careful I know I will recover well.

Scary, though, isn't it? :-/