My husband can only use his left hand as his right hand (he is right handed) just hangs there absolutely useless. There is so little he can do with just his weaker hand and he is getting increasingly frustrated. We try all the exercises, massage it and he wears a splint at night in bed.
Using a phone is a nightmare, Ipad not much better. If I go out (which is very rare) I have to leave a full kettle, a mug, spoon and coffee and milk in the mug. Likewise bathroom needs have to be in place. He has never been much for watching TV but that’s about all he can do now and he is bored stiff. His memory is poor after his stroke so reading is not enjoyable. We have just started doing online jigsaws with a few pieces using his left hand. What else could he do ….. any ideas?
The challenge is to find a pathway ; a path to recovery…
one that you can feel is working.
Anything else I did left me dissatisfied
I’m so glad I persevered even if it was tough as hell.
That was my way of finding my own peace. Good luck, Roland
His hands were his life and his work. He was always repairing, altering, inventing, driving with his hands. I have caught him sobbing when progs like The Repair Shop and restoring cars or doing up homes - he did all that and misses it so much. Likewise motorbike programmes. He is planning to sell his lovely big bike in the Spring.
I would say this: his right hand hangs there limply. This I understand. Ask him what he wants. I know that you might think that it’s obvious what he wants. But if he wants to repair stuff again, just make him work at it. Even if it takes the rest of his life. It will come back. It’s just a matter of determining if it’s worth it to him. If it is, then he will get through this.
He has to keep trying things & persevere as it takes a lot of effort & time. Initially I did things like put a pencil in my affected hand and just try to hold it. Repeating it often. Get him to lift his arm (using his other hand if necessary) and try to get it involved in the activity. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work but each & every time he tries it is reminding his brain his arm is there. If he doesn’t try & use it he won’t get the use back.
It’s a frustrating process & there will no doubt be tears & anger along the way but it is worth it in the end.
Hi @Trisha2, I had the same issue with my left arm and was lucky to meet a brilliant hospital physio first. He asked me what I done in terms of job and hobbies /interests then we began work.
For the week I was in hospital I initially was encouraged to try and mobilise my arm/ shoulder by pushing a flannel/ tea towel back and forth on the table,fay 1 nothing but at the end of day 2 could move it forwards but not back. Took me a few days more but got there much ti my and everyone’s surprise. I couldn’t sleep in a busy ward so simply kept going. Best thing was a spiked ball- a gift from my niece could now roll this and feel sensation on my palm, a few more exercises were added by the physio team who told me to visualise my arm and hand doing the movement. This was more difficult but I have done martial arts for nearly 30 years so just kept on repeating even once I got home.
Two months of intensive application and community rehab team said that they could not offer support as I was able to regain 99.99 per cent movement.
Today just over a year later only minimal issues with fine motor skills which I continue to work with, I know how lucky I am but it took time,support and loved ones giving me advice support and encouragement as well as pushing me some days when I wanted to or felt like quitting. I’m no expert but start small and try to build when you can if possible, being from the frozen north or Scotland and we love New Year celebrations well some do, remember that morning off out for a 6am walk and successfully done my own shoe laces (well sneakers) and roaring about the house waking our guests jumping up and down like a 5 year old proclaiming I had tied my laces, an achievement that went down like a lead balloon
Well done Jbob and really pleased you have made such good progress.
We do that exercise moving affected arm with unaffected often but it makes no difference. I think we have watched every video on hand spasticity and tried them but no improvement at all.
