Focal dystonia of the hand

[JP]

Anyone out there have focal dystonia of their hands or fingers?

[Donna K]

Maybe.  What is it??

[JP]

Involuntary muscle movements.  Mine is in my forefinger.  It curls in towards my palm.   Been reporting for 26 years.  Just wanted to see if any other reporter has experienced this.  Musicians are very prone to get it as well.

[Linda Anderson]

Hi, Jo Ann,

     I also developed focal dystonia in my left hand.  It has been a horrible ordeal.  I sometimes wonder if overuse caused it.  I thought I was the only one that developed it.  Could I ask how yours manifested itself?  Linda

[Linda Anderson]

Right now my wrist sometimes wants to draw up.  I remember when it started out

originally my ring finger on my left hand would draw into my palm.  It was like

a trigger finger almost.  I went to so many doctors.  They told me it was all in

my mind until I found this one doctor that told me exactly what it was.  Can you still

type?

[Debbie]

I don't have that, but I have either tendonitis or arthritis in my thumb and wrist.  One Doctor says it is arthritis and another said he saw no arthritis on xray.

 

 

[Katharine]

Hey Jackie, I suffer from focal dystonia, was diagnosed a couple of months ago, but had it since 2009.  I am a legal secretary so it affects me when typing.  My middle finger would automatically point forward, it is very frustrating. I had the botox injection last week and wish I hadn't, as it feels very stiff.

[JP]

I had several botox injections and none worked for me.  My left forefinger curls in.  I found a finger spring from Allegro Medical that helps when I'm typing.  They have springs that help fingers bend and springs that help fingers not to bend.

[Janiece Young]

Would some kind of physical therapy for you hands help?

[Katharine]

How long did it take for the botox to start wearing off?  I can't wait for it to wear off, as I am in a worse position than I was before the botox.

[JP]

About six months.

[Linda Anderson]

I will never use botox.  It was a nightmare.  I could not wait until the effects wore off.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Wow, very interesting.  I have never heard of it.  You learn something new every day.