So, I have searched all over to avoid the constant frustration of sleeping with icepacks on all my extremities. I am a nurse practitioner and work in neurology. Stanford created a hand cooling device, originally for athletes to improve endurance etc. They then started using it in diseases like MS, where patients also have trouble regulating temperature. At first, it was only available for purchase through doctors offices or sports. Now anyone can buy one, so I took the risk. What a change it makes. At first, when I used it I was initially disappointed because I did not get the quick relief like I was from submerging my hands or feet into cold ice water or wrapping in ice packs. But after my first time using it, I saw and felt a great difference. You basically fill a container with ice and a small amount of water. There is a glove that you insert your hand into, and a vacuum type suction is involved. The cool water and vacuum sucks the heat out of your palm (very non scientific way of explaining it). I have begun to use this nightly. I do about 45 minutes on each hand. Afterwards, I felt significant results even after my first "treatment". I have not exercised in about 3 years due to the cardiovascular effects of EM. I have not ridden my bike in 3 years because it hurt so bad to even hold the handle bars, plus the cardiovascular effects.
The next morning, I was able to go for a 3 mile bike ride, even with some minor hills, and felt great after. I still had to cool down, but the motivation it gave me psychologically that I could actually exercise again with out putting myself into a severe flare up felt better that dealing with the mild cool down.
The next week, I tested myself further, and ran the 3 miles. Now, I over did it, for sure, that time and luckily was running along a lake and dipped my feet and hand is the water half way through, but again I felt so empowered to actually run.
Now i am not giving any medical advice as a nurse practitioner, but just sharing what I have found that has really helped me begin to function better. Still, I continue to use lidocaine patches daily, take neuropathic medications, and occasionally pain medications. This is by all no means a cure, or treatment, but I wanted to share one thing that has helped me begin to start exercising again.
Price of the cooling glove is up there, about $1000. But I was to the point where I could not type at work, open windows, and sometimes not drive to work, due to burning in my feet.
If you have the funds available, I think it is worth the try. I actually got it as a Chistmas/ birthday present since i could not afford it, thankfully from my parents.
The website is http://www.avacore.com/. I even wrote Dr Steven Waxman, who does the majority of research on EM in the US to tell them about what it has done for me.
Again, I am in the field and can not recommend this as a provider, but as a patient and fellow EM sufferer it is one thing to consider to help with symptoms. And no, avacore is not paying me to say this. I wish they would! lol.
I will attach some photos of my hands before and after for you to view.
One is the right hand after 45 minutes of using the glove, compared to the left hand before any cooling.
The other is the left hand before and after 15 minutes of using the cooling glove.
So thats how I came up with 45 minutes as the appropriate time for each hand for myself.
Hope this information can help others. Take care. :)
102-Rhandincoolingglove45min.png (694 KB) 103-PART_1425752725722_1425752707125vz.png (626 KB)
