October 6, 2008

Left hand: I have been using Melrose essential oil for the skin and PanAway for the joints, just on the ring finger. I put my ring on for the first time in about 6 months last week. It was very exciting as the joint swelling has gone down quite a bit. My hand works well and the joints aren't very stiff, even in the morning.



Right hand: It is still deformed, as I think it will always be. The skin is doing much better. I'm using the same regimen on the right as on the left with the exception of the PanAway, that goes on all the joints of the right hand. The joints are still somewhat stiff in the morning, but loosen up when I apply the PanAway. The skin is not peeling as much, still a little on the palm side. The nails are still pitted badly, I haven't found anything that will heal that as yet. The itching is all but gone, when I peeled a kiwi yesterday for the kids, the itching got really bad, so that is something I will be staying away from. No more night-time itching now, though.



I tried to take pictures of just the fingernails, but they didn't turn out. The nails on the right hand are pitted and ridged. I haven't found anything that is making a big difference yet, except the essential oil Frankinscense. I put a drop on all the nails and there is no pain from the deep ridges that are currently growing out.

My hands look better and feel great. We will see what the next week holds for me!