PDA

View Full Version : Weighted Pens?



Aggie_Ama
12-03-2008, 11:24 AM
Some people mentioned having a slight tremor or friends with them, anyone tried or know someone who has tried weighted pens? I am finding my tremors are not as bad as they were in 2004 and I do not like Inderal much. I didn't want to go back on anti-convulsants which were the drugs that worked. I find fat pens work very nicely although my beautiful handwriting is not what it is without the tremor. I was able to address all my Christmas cards which was a major victory. The weighted pens are at least $20 per pen so I am hesistant to buy one but being pharmaceutical free would sure be nice.

Miranda
12-05-2008, 04:56 PM
Maybe you could borrow one first and see how it works for you? I don't know if you have any therapy places that are in your insurance network, you have been to before, etc. But, that type of thing a good Occupational Therapist could hook you up with. Maybe one of your docs has a relationship with a practice they send folks too that could help you get hooked up. I have been in therapy before and had them loan me things to try without the cost. Sometimes certain dx you can even get it paid for as an "aid". Also, I have been blown away at how creative therapist can be at making stuff to help patients from things they already have in their home (like is there a way to add to an average pen and weigh it effectively). Hope that helps some:).

EDIT: More brainstorming... if gripping the fat pen works well already, what about experimenting with weighting the hand itself? If you had any stray gloves at home, or a $1 pair of cheap stretch gloves, you could cut the fingers off for the bare skin dexterity and maybe position an object of weight inside the glove at the palm or top of hand inside the glove. Like a small sandwich snack size baggie with a bit of household sugar as a mini sandbag for anchoring stability. Just an idea of something you probably already have at home you could play with for free.

SECOND EDIT: OK, so "shutting up" is a problem I have:o... ANY RATE... I thought that duh, you might not want to be in the grocery store trying to write a check out with your Miranda Madonna 80s Girl sugar filled glove, BUT... if you figured out how much weight it took to help the shake, you could add it on the pen and tape it up with something cool (colored decorative tape, colored electrical tape we use to finish bike bars with sometimes etc.). Going to corner to shut up now, toodles;)...

alpinerabbit
12-06-2008, 03:12 AM
Dear, a nice pen is something any lady should have. Treat yourself or have yourself treated for Xmas.

Aggie_Ama
12-06-2008, 04:31 AM
Miranda- You are a hoot! I may try the "Aggie Engineering" with electrical tape and weights on a fat pen. I go back to the doc next month and think I am going to break down and get anti-convulsants but they don't help all the time.

Alpine- You are right. I sent my Mom the link to the nice $25 one I found, hoping to find it in my stocking but I am going to check the office supply store for myself this morning anyway.

Come to think of it I believe there is a occupational therapy store in town. I need to look that up.