preserving hand function

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I apologize if this topic has already been addressed elsewhere on this

discussion board. I've seen a lot of discussion about AFOs and I'm

wondering if anyone has any practical advice for preserving the

function in my hands.

In relative terms, I don't mind the loss of the use of my feet so much. The

numbness and discomfort in my hands (which has just gotten bad in the past

couple of months), however, is utterly devastating and is not something I can

abide with any measure of equanimity or grace or whatever.

Eight or nine weeks ago, I was lifting weights at the gym despite the pain and

soreness in my wrists. Then I was diagnosed with CMT and a hands specialist

(although one with apparently little knowledge of CMT) ruled out EVERYTHING I

was doing to get exercise that involved my hands (even using the ellyptical

trainer).

I've been doing stretching and strengthening exercises for my hands, but in the

past couple of weeks the symptoms in my hands have gotten so bad that I have

trouble doing strengthening exercises with as little as 3 lbs of weight. I wear

wrist braces, but I don't know if these are actually helpful. Does anyone have

anything to suggest?