hello any advice?

starspangle

Hello all , Got the decision today for MPJ (3rd joint down from the fingertips all fingers across hands) renewal probably to happen in the new year starting with the left hand. Right hand (dominant) more likely to be done 12 months later.
Have sero negative psoriatis arthritis.
Diagnosed around 10 years ago but only recently has it impacted on my life and work.

Very tired, very itchy, very self concious as it is on my forehead and decending.

Any advice welcome. also I'm not the fittest of people, or should I say although I could keep going all day I would pay for it in the following days, so any tips on preparing for ops and making sure you are up to it would be welcome too.
Now awaiting pre op but want to get prepared.

It is nice to meet you all.

starry

dorcas

Hello starry... nice to meet you.

I have PA too and have had wrist ops ..a Left wrist Fusion and a Right Total Wrist Replacement... with a year between each. So I've already had experience of managing with one hand post op, which I guess you'll be doing too.

Here's some tips on managing which I hope will help you.

Before surgery, if you can, Ask for help
Enlist others ahead of time to help with:
*Child care
*Housework
*Meals
*Shopping
*Dog Walking!
( remember: family, friends neighbours will want to help!)

Practice (using only one hand)
*Dressing
*Undressing
*Using the toilet
*Brushing your teeth
*Showering
*Managing stairs
*getting in/ out of bed

Prepare for the first few days after surgery:

*Open and re-seal cans and bottles you might need.
*Open medication containers and leave easy to reopen. Then, put these medication containers out of the reach of children, even if you don't expect children visiting.
*Have all your toiletries within easy reach and make sure they don’t have tops that require two hands to open them.
*Have a stock of "No-cut" meals - soups, sandwiches, pre-cooked ready meals (with seals removed).
*Have a cache of dvds, music, e-books, favourite radio/ tv programmes for watching/ listening to .

It helps to have...

In the shower
*Plastic bags and large rubber bands to cover casts/ bandages - the bags that you use for small pedal bins are good to cover the hand and wrist. Use two at a time to ensure adequate protection.
*Bottle sponge (soft sponge on a long stick) - for the armpit of your "good" hand and other ‘hard to reach’ places.
*Shower brush, scrunchie or cloth mitt.
*A hair brush in the shower will help you to wash your hair.
*A shower mat to prevent slips.
*A shower chair for the early post op days
*Cotton terry cloth bathrobe - makes it easier to dry your back.
*talcum powder to dry between toes.

In the bathroom
*Toothpaste, shampoo, etc. in flip-top or pump (not screw top) dispensers.
*liquid soap dispenser
*Consider buying an electric toothbrush especially if your dominant hand is out of action.
*Flossers (dental floss on a "Y" shaped handle).

In the kitchen
*Dycem mat (non slip mat) - to keep things from sliding around while you are working on them.
*Double suction cup pads - to hold items while you use or wash them.
*Electric ‘one touch’ can opener with a lid magnet strong enough to hold the can in the air - for one handed use.
*Electric ‘one touch’ Jar opener- for one handed use
*non-slip bread board with lip to hold bread in place when buttering toast.
*adapted cutlery with broad easy grip handles for left or right handed use.
*light weight cup & crockery eg...melamine
*kettle tipper
*trolley

In the bedroom
*Have clothing in drawers, wardrobes organised for easy access.
*Large sleeve shirts and tops, loose bottoms, or sleeveless nighties are more practical and easier to put on/ off.
*Put away clothing with buttons, zip fasteners or snaps in the back or which uses drawstrings.
*Sports bra or a camisole (these can be put on over the head) instead of a back fastening bra.

Consider

*A short easy to manage "wash and wear" haircut.
*hairdryer stand
*‘helping hand’ small item grabber
*shoe horn
*dressing ‘stick’
*food shopping/ delivery online

Remember that your local Occupational Therapy Department can provide some aids to help you...so contact them for an assessment.

There's also a very helpful Post near the top of the LWA page by miking with more tips for going into hospital.

Lots of Luck Starry when the time comes!

Iris xxx

dreamdaisy

Hi, starspangle: what fab advice from dorcas. I am nowhere in that league! I too have PA, but mostly without the P (thanks to sulphasalazine I think, tho I could be wrong, I usually am). I have not yet had to face any form of replacement surgery but I sincerely hope that yours does go well: you do have some time to get as best prepared as you can, but why are they not doing the dominant hand first? Surely that is the one you need most - does letting it deteriorate further help in anyway? Yours, a puzzled DD.

starspangle

Thanks for your response Iris & dream daisy, great information there.
It was my decision to have the left hand done firstly as given any longer it will not be repairable, and the right hand has only given me problems over the past 6 to 12 months and although it is painful it is moving ok in comparison.
To have the right done first would leave me handless almost and so that is how I made my choice. Sorry I should have made that more clear.
I too take sulpasalazine, amytrip and pain meds.
Thanx
starrys

dreamdaisy

Absolutely no need to apologise, starspangle, but it's nice to know why you are haviing them done in that order and it makes absolute sense. Our dorcas is thorough, isn't she? What a wonderful post! I hope you are as well as you can be today. DD

barbara12

Hi Starry
And welcome to the forum, you have great advice from our lovely Iris, I just want to send you my support, and say good luck with it all.
Love
Barbara x

cebeem

Hi Starry
I am in a similar situation waiting for surgery in February following many setbacks.
Iris has been so supportive she is brilliant her advice should be published by the NHS.
Fortunately mine is just the right hand which I find difficult enough, the left wrist fuse itself naturally.
Good luck with it all..... keep us informed....... lots of good support here.

speedalong

Hi Starry and welcome.

After Iris's comprehensive post - can't think of anything to add.

Sounds a good op though - "renewal" I assume gives painfree mobility in the renewed joints?

Speedy

starspangle

Thanx speedy
Hopefully things will get to be painfree and mobile, and maybe eventually less medication as I hate taking medication.

Finding my way through the system here and see you need a little support yourself, so please accept my good wishes to you as you go through this.
I will be off for a while when I get to have the surgery so I hope you will then be able to offer advice from your current experience then.
Keep the good work up everyone, its nice to be part of your forum.
Starry

skezier

Hi Starry,

Nothing I can add that iris hasn't covered (your right CB ... Iris that bit should go up as a sticky at the very least!)

Just wanted to say i have pa and isn't always easy eh?! Its good you found the forums cus this lot are brilliant.

The skin thing I haven't really had much of the psoriasis a few bits here and there but any out break has been treated with steroid creams and that normally helps. I also found cow udder cream helps...... Well I used to relief milk so its not as odd as it sounds

I wonder if your doc can help with the skin? Nice to meet you Cris x