Please note that most people with HNPP do not need to adapt their daily activities.
When experiencing episodes of weakness however, daily activities can be challenging.
Please contact us if you have advise that hasn't been mentioned here and that you want to share with the community.
Do not think - like I did - that pain in the hands is a normal thing when cutting vegetables. Kitchen utensils that may help you.
Food processor
Ergonomic kitchen knife
Ergonomic jar opener
Ergonomic can opener
Plastic bottle opener
Multi opener
Ergonomic vegetable/fruit peeler
Ergonomic kitchen scissors
Tilting water boiler (don't have to lift it entirely)
Stainless steel cooking basket (you only have to lift this and not the cooking pot)
Towel wringing system
You can invest in a robot vacuum (it does wonders, I can assure you!)
Ask for help in the household.
Encourage your family to clean up their own stuff!
Toilet seats can put pressure on the buttocks. When experiencing numbness during or afterwards, know that there are soft toilet seat covers available.
Search on Amazon or on the internet for a memory foam toilet seat or a toilet seat for pressure relief. You will be surprised by the number of hits. You are definitely not the only one with this problem!
Use a non-slip mat in the shower and in the bath tub to avoid slipping.
Breast feeding (personal experiences):
Always first seek medical advice when having trouble.
When experiencing pain/numbness/weakness in your arm while breast feeding, you can adjust your position, especially when your baby is getting older. Be careful! When breastfeeding on your side (and the child next to you), make sure you don't roll on top of the child (by falling asleep).
You can also lie on your back and put the baby on your front.Â
Only do this after asking advice!
A pregnancy pillow can help you adjust the position. The baby's head can rest on the pillow while breastfeeding.
Bathing
Bath support to hold your baby (example: https://www.amazon.com/Frida-Clean-Bathtub-Cushion-Supports/dp/B099FL855W)
Never let your baby unattended!
Putting your baby in bed
I bought a wooden bed with a fold-out side to minimize back strain when putting the baby into bed. Especially when your baby gets heavier, it's pretty difficult to use a 'normal' baby bed. Make sure the bed meets all the necessary requirements.
If you experience numbness when kneeling, stop what you are doing! Ask help or continue later on.
It is really important to learn to listen to your body. An HNPP patient had double foot drop after gardening.
If you experience poor fine motor skills, there are some aids:
- hooks to pull zips, undo buttons
- aid to put on socks, pants
- wear shoes without laces until your hands are better
Electrical toothbrush
Install grab bars (bath tub, toilet, shower)
Install a seat in the shower
Buy things with foam rubber (stronger grip)
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