Tight wedding ring solution

Binney4
Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema
When the boards went down several weeks ago we lost a thread we had about wedding rings (not to mention a whole bunch of other good ones -- sigh!), but in googling around for something else (pictures on somebody's blog of the whole process of wrapping her hand and arm, BTW -- anybody remember where that one is?) I found these pictures again. Hope they'll be helpful!

http://mikki630-ivil.tripod.com/id2.html

You have to scroll down a way to find the pictures.
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Comments

  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited June 2006
    I finally had my rings enlarged. I also have been not wearing them 24/7 like I did before. I decided that my fingers would swell and the ring would make it stay that way -- then I seemed to get skin problems on that finger.

    I quit wearing them for awhile, after I paid $50 to have them enlarged, and now they seem to fit. I read somewhere that your hands will swell when you exercise, so I've been taking them off before doing that.
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  • inspiewriter
    inspiewriter Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2006

    I had posted a trick that an ER nurse knew-- it was about using dental floss to get off wedding rings. She says it works every time, but I don't have her exact instructions anymore.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2006
    Yes, thanks Robin! Found it (just don't know how to use the Quote function...) Robin wrote:

    " Re: That dental floss trick to remove rings?

    Nevermind, found it!
    Thanks Letha!
    Take a long piece of thread..dental floss is great. Take one end and run it up under the ring that needs to come off.Leave about 3-4 " then slowly wrap the other end round and round your finger usually over the knuckle make sure the thread is close together. Then take the short end (u put under the ring in the 1st step and slowly wind the ring off your finger.
    I cannot tell you how many rings I have removed that way. Even in dire circumstances some people balk at having their rings cut....hope I have been clear enough..Let me know if u have success ! Letha "
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2007

    Bumping to the top because we don't want to lose this again in case somebody needs it...

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2009

    bumping for Brenda

    Hope everybody's having a great Friday!
    Binney

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  • corundogs
    corundogs Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2009

    THANK YOU BINNEY!

    As I said, you truly are such a wealth of information!

    But...I don't get it?  LOL!!  I tried to follow it, have my long piece of dental floss, wrapped my finger - but don't think I did it right?  LOL!!

    Any futher help?  Guess I should google this trick...see if I can come up with something?

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2009

    Let's see -- you have to start with a VERY long piece of dental floss. You put one end of it UP under the ring and leave a short amount sticking out. Then take the OTHER end of the long string and wrap it around your finger just above the ring, moving up your finger with every wrap so the wraps lie right next to each other, hopefully up past the knuckle. Then start gently but firmly (and slowly) pulling the SHORT end. It'll gradually unwrap the string and go around and around your finger, hopefully moving the ring up over the wrapped string.

    Is that any better?

    The thing you want to avoid at all costs is irritating the skin, which can become an infection risk. So don't do it if your skin gets bothered. Definitely need to remove the sleeve if you don't have a glove, Brenda, so the sleeve doesn't push more fluid into your hand and fingers. Since finances are a problem, you might try something less expensive until you can afford a glove. An isotoner might help, for instance. Also, try keeping your arm elevated as much as possible, even at night on a pillow. If you can get the finger swelling reduced you can remove the rings. Extreme temperatures (like icing your hand) should be avoided too, as it may reduce the swelling briefly, but then it'll swell worse.

    We've had a couple of discussions here about wedding rings. Because my swelling is well controlled, I wear mine under my glove, but I take it off when traveling or doing other things that might give me trouble. Other women have them sized larger, have a clasp attached to the back, or wear it on a chain around their neck. Lymphedema's nasty.Tongue out

    Be well!
    Binney

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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited April 2009

    Before I gave up and had my rings resized, I used to spray the ring and finger with Windex and it made it easier to slide off.  My lymphedema is on my right side, but I get swelling in both hands from time to time (plus I've gained weight).  The jeweler that made my rings is the one that suggested Windex, as if you use anything oily it can loosen the stones.  The Windex kind of cleans it up a bit too!  I used to fill a small travel sized spray bottle with Windex and take it with me when I travelled and kept it in the medicine cabinet at home to remove my rings before going to bed. 

    Liz

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2009

    Oh, Liz, what a neat tip! Who knew?! Thanks for passing that alongSmile

    Be well!
    Binney

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited April 2009

    My mil was in the hospital recently and her hands swelled to the point they couldn't get her rings off and they used the windex to get them off. My sil got that tip from the jeweler also.

    Sheila

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited April 2009

    Sheila, I did find the windex tip on a lot of google searches, but we ran it by one of the directors of the stepupspeakout site, and she was concerned about the irritation from the ammonia in the windex.

    Here is a wiki site I found on ring removal:

    http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Stuck-Ring

    If you use the windex, be very, very careful not to irritate your skin. Our expert recommended lotion for women with LE.

    Kira 

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  • corundogs
    corundogs Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2009

    HI THERE!

    I just thought I would come update...I actually used the Windex trick!

    When I was searching for the Dental Floss trick, I came across the Windex.  I tried the Dental Floss, but I don't think I could get it right.  Everytime I got it wound, it would start throbbing so I had to untie it FAST!  I got scared.

    So when I read the Windex thing - I read that this is a jeweler's trick and they use it most often.  Of course Windex is a daily part of a jewelry store's inventory (because of all of the glass cases they all have, and all of us who lean on them and mark them up so often...LOL!!)  So it does double duty - ha!

    I put my arm above my head for about 5 minutes, stuck it in my bag of ice and then soaked it with Windex.  With a bit of twisting and pulling, it popped off!

    I truly didn't realize how much it bugged me until it was off!  I haven't taken this particular ring off for probably a year or so.  I have had two MRI's and they let me leave that one on.  I wear a lot of rings (wore a lot more before I got Lymphedema sadly).

    I have now taken them all off, and my bracelets, too!  It really makes me sad, because I LOVE my jewelry!  I very rarely put makeup on anymore, and it was the one thing that always made me feel "girly" and special.  But with my sleeves, I don't want to cause snagging or pulls on them so they are all put away for now. 

    But try the WINDEX if you are ever in a pinch.  The ammonia didn't bother my finger at all...even with the abraisions on it.  I don't know if this should be a problem for anyone, as Kira mentioned above...but it was only on my finger for about 30 seconds.  Once the ring was off, I washed it immediately.  I needed the cool water on my finger anyway...LOL!!

    Just so you know, I did try lotion before.  I also tried vegetable cooking oil.  And soap of course...lots of liquid soap!  Nothing worked until I got the Windex out...

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited April 2009

    Veeeerrrrryyyy interesting.  I wonder why the Windex worked so well, when those other things (that I thought were such great ideas) did not work.

    I'm glad to hear you solved the problem!

    otter 

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  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited April 2009

    Was reading thru this thread and saw my name...shows you what chemo/menopausal mush I have for brain cells..I forgot that I sent in the hint ! On rereading the hint I will add a few clarifying points.

    1. using a very long piece of dental floss or tape..take one end and run it up under your ring..TOWARD your hand (palm).

    2.begin winding the longer length from the base of your ring OUTWARD toward your knuckle..It doesn't have to be extremely tight just close together .

    3. When you have gotten to the knuckle or largest part of your finger..have someone hold that end to keep from coming loose.

    4. Now, take the short end that is tucked under your ring..and slowly begin unwinding ..pulling gently toward your knuckle as u do so.. going round and round your ring..it should be moving your ring down and off your finger .

    Hope that helps...I did it again to make sure I didn't leave anything out...it only takes a few seconds........

    Letha

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2009

    Letha, thank you -- and welcome back! That really does make it all lots clearer.Smile

    Be well!
    Binney

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited April 2009

    What ever happened to soap and twisting it off? 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited March 2012

    Bumping for Kate -- only you have to read the whole thread because no one post on it explains the process.

    Kate, sending you warm hugs and hoping you know we share your frustration and pain,
    Binney

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Binney- Thanks for bumping and for the support.  I tried all the tips to no avail but it's nice to know about the arthritic shank.  I'm going to call around and find someone who does this.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    This is probably not the solution for everyone.  My LE is on the other (right) arm but my hands swell easily, and I had problems on Herceptin with fluid retention.  I have a friend who is a goldsmith and jeweler.  I took some old jewelry that I never wear over to him and he melted down my gold and made a pretty band in a slightly larger size, and re-set some of the small diamonds that came out of the pieces.  These were pieces that my DH had given me (I also had earrings made from the leftover stones for DD for a XMAS gift) so they are sentimental.  This way if my hands are swollen I wear the band, but if my hands are good I wear my regular wedding set.  Just a thought - and it was not very expensive since the gold and stones were supplied by me.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    SpecialK- I like that idea!  :)

    I found a jeweler than will cut off the ring for free.  They said I should wait a month or two to have it resized so am sad about that.  I do have an eternity (3 stones) ring my DH gave me for our anniversary one year that is bigger so I can wear that as my "alternate" wedding ring in the meantime.  

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    kate33 - the band is styled very much like my DH's ring, and even though I love my wedding set he always says how much he likes the band when I wear it.  I always feel naked when I have nothing on that finger - I have been married for almost 29 years!  After my wedding set was too tight but before I had the band made I did wear a 3-stone ring (right-handed, so larger) ring with a thin gold band too.  It is a good alternative.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    SpecialK-  I've always loved my DH's wedding band and have wished that I had one made for me, too, for times I didn't want to wear my diamonds.  Maybe now is my chance!  :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    I had my ring cut off today and it was very emotional. Jeweler recommended waiting at least a month before resizing. My ring is platinum so the quote for adding the shank was $2400 so that wont be happening.

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  • gfbaker
    gfbaker Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2012

    I don't remember the company name, but there is a company that makes rings that have a latch to remove easily - they are made for people with arthritic enlarged joints, but would work for us too. Luckily my LE is on the right side. I will see if I can find the name of the company and will post when I get info.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    kate33 - I am sorry your ring had to be cut, that had to be hard.  Holy smokes, we need to be investing in platinum, right?  Do you have any other pieces of platinum jewelry that you don't wear?  I re-shanked my Mom's engagement ring with her wedding ring. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Kate, is there any way that your homeowner's insurance (or if you have a rider for jewelry) could cover "repair", which happens to also include resizing? I know you didn't lose or have stolen, but it is somewhat of an "accident" that caused damage to it. Just a thought. It is so unfortunate you had to experience this and doesn't seem fair it should have to be an expense as well.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    I don't have any other platinum jewelry- just white and yellow gold. I asked the jeweler if just the shank could be white gold but she said they can't mix the metals. I'll probably just have it made bigger. She said you can add something called sizing balls to keep the diamond from flipping around. Guess I'll see what my options are in a few months.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Tina- Not sure about our insurance but our deductible is quite high.

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