Shaking hands .....how to avoid ?

Mormodook

Anyone got any tips on how to avoid shaking hands without having to explain your medical history to a stranger or wearing a splint just to avoid the pain of a firm hand shake ? Or is there an actual technique that prevents someone from grabbing your hand even remotely tightly ? Thanks

thistlegirl

Good question, I would like some tips too. You either feel rude not offering your hand or as you say, have to explain.. I try the short but sweet "sore hands" as I hold them and hope the conversation moves on.

Thistle

stickywicket

If you put 'shaking hands' into the AC search engine a previous thread comes up but I don't think there's a one size fits all answer. Splints, a hasty explanatiom whole keeping hand firmly away or maybe a lunge into a pre-emptive kiss, depending on personnel

pot80

Sometimes I merely apologised for not wishing to shake hands since I had hurt my hand. Very few people pursued with a question as to how I had hurt it. By and large people are not interested in ones ailments. My right hand was by far the worst so sometimes I offered my left hand to their right using the same reason and this avoided a firm grip. Fortunately after three years on dear old methotrexate I am virtually pain free so the problem has gone away and I hope that your pain also reduces and goes away.

ichabod6

Keep 'em in your pockets.

barbara12

If I go to hospital were they are likely to shake hands, I wear my splints and just apologise..not easy if you are in a job that involves lots of handshakes..like SW says do a search at the top of the forum something might some up..

Mormodook

Thanks everyone I've done a search and found some interesting threads. I think the old splint is the best get out I've used! With the Happy New Year season looming I think I will bling up my splint for the festive season and keep it "handy" ! That'd be another good thread ....... How to decorate a dull looking splint ! I wish there was a nicer feminine looking one on the market . A nice pink one

Mat48

In the first year of RA I had great problems with this hand shaking issue too. I once, very embarrassingly, howled with pain when man shook my hand very firmly and unexpectedly in a work setting. He looked so startled and upset that I had to explain as briefly as I could. It was especially tricky because he was about to give a lecture and everyone there wanted to meet and talk to him and I threw him unintentionally and I still shudder at the recollection!

I told my physio about this a few days later and said I couldn't wear my shop-bought splints because they sat right on my swollen and painful knuckles. She found a pair of black ones which she moulded with hot water to fit my hand and they avoid my knuckles but are very visible which is important re hand shaking. I have worn them sometimes when I sing in concerts with my choir and they fit fine with the black outfits we wear.

I recommend these kind of visible splints because no one is going to try and shake your hand in one at least! Mat x