Modest Medical Issue

[ProfessorGAC]

As some here may remember, I have had MS since 1995. Very under control, but I go in for new imaging every 5 years.
So, I've got MRIs a week from today & the Monday after that.
Thing is, in the last 5 years, all in retirement, I've gained about 10# and some modest arthritis has made it, so far, impossible to get my wedding ring off!
Now, I don't even get what 18k gold has to do with magnets (tiny amount of RF heating?), but has anybody had a similar situation that they resolved without getting the ring cut off?

[mopinko]

1. go to a jeweler, let them cut it, then get it resized.

cuz it’s only gonna get tighter.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Good Point

I suppose I eventually need it resized.

[True Dough]

3. With gold at over $3,000 per ounce

Now might be the time to chop off your finger and sell that ring, Prof!

Never had such an issue. My wedding ring was purchased two sizes two large in anticipation of developing chunkier fingers over the decades ahead. Still married, but rarely ever put the ring on anymore (even though it still fits).

As for the MS, I hope it continues to cause you minimal issues and your MRIs look good.

I do remember participating in the MS "read-a-thon" as a young school boy for probably three consecutive years. I must have contributed more than $100 to the cause over that span.

[OnDoutside]

4. Have you tried butter ? 😉

I'd go with the jeweller too tbh.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Yeah, It's A Good Suggestion

But, if I can get it off I I can it resized in 10 minutes. If I have it cut, I have to drive 20 miles in a couple days to get it back.
There's no jeweler in our small town.
Getting it resized is a definite yes; but getting it off first is preferred.

[rsdsharp]

26. You can do it yourself, for 17 bucks from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/MedBlades-Replacement-Emergency-Paramedics-Professionals/dp/B08G2PZM7F/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=26KEK9126T81D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WWV27ncZiX4dKEzQL5NNMpF3HC9oiC9-jJUF_PLBZndECFwKq6GowQpdxAX0SPtjGCDYSE3WFVL6xKOUG0fArCkHF3k9-EZHkhvqaBFiyo9pzoNxao4igRB6hpc5oCCfnhVRC1kQfzRfrgBfZ8-RF0y6bmDmaVjqSrpogl20JeNvrJ6RZGl-tulR47GbW2j92aFAXxrGL9XXsklQ3X_SQg.5M-9SXk_63HgZPXVp2YivjHxtt1kBznXy9SPTxbNOrs&dib_tag=se&keywords=ring+cutter+for+finger&qid=1745698493&sprefix=ring+cuttet%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

Get it tomorrow if you have Prime.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

28. Learn how to trim URL so your browsing history does not become available to all corporations and to dark actors. . nt

[ProfessorGAC]

30. I Might Have Done That...

...if I saw your post earlier.
But, since they didn't charge me anything, I didn't lose anything.
Thanks for finding that.

[SheltieLover]

6. Tried soap & water?

Good luck with MRI!

[deRien]

7. Anything with oil...

I.e. lotion, butter, mayonnaise, olive oil, etc. should help take it off. Also, try cooling your hand with ice or cold water....

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Cold Water

That's my next move. Tomorrow for sure.
I would have tried today but I subbed a HS science class today.

[soldierant]

13. I was going to say soap, but this is also good.

I have rings I can only wear in the winter so I know it works in the long term, and I would think it would also work in the short term.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. Everyone Here Has Been Helpful

But so far, nothing.
I've tried the dental floss, ice then soap, olive oil.
This is annoying.
On top of that, I looked MRI stuff today.
Gold crowns in my mouth are ok, but a ring on my finger isn't?
Not getting that. They're taking images of the brain & cervical spine, and metal in my mouth is ok?

[soldierant]

15. Dumb question -

Have you been trying bar soap and that isn't working? If so, consider trying liquid soap for washing dishes by hand.

I am really surprised that ten pounds would make such a difference. But obviously it is. Is there anyone you can call at the radiologist to discuss some kind of workaround? Possibly there might be something they could use to mask the hand (which, if there isn't, there ought to be. You can't possibly be the first person with this issue.) Or maybe you could hold you hand up by your head (where the fillings are) while you're in it. Maybe even both hands. I know some people need earplugs for the experience.

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Yes

Liquid soap, veg oil, mineral oil.
Hand in ice water for as long as I can stand it...
Can't even get the ring to the knuckle, let alone over it.
The "trigger finger", I think, is the real problem.
There is chronic tendinitis in that finger so the swelling in the part between the base & middle finger seems to be a bigger issue than weight gain.
I could get it off in 2018, not now.

[soldierant]

24. Ah, well, that makes sense.

Before I looked here I saw that you have it off now and have resizing plans. Good for you. Hope the MRI goes smoothly, and that whatever it picks up will either help alleviate current symptoms or help minimize future ones, or both.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Thanks

My feet are burning more than in the past, but I don't knowbif it is remanifestation of the MS or age related neuropathy.
The tests will help sort that out.
I have FIVE MRIs getting done.
Brain, no contrast; cervical spine, with & without; thoracic spine, with & without.
Two different days.
They wouldn't do them all back to back.

[soldierant]

31. In November of 23, when I ws in the hospital after a fall, I had 2,

and definitely not back to back. One apparently was unremarkable, and the other said I was at risk for spinal stenosis. In 24, a bone density test diagnosed osteoporosis. I have no symptoms except being 6" shorter than when I was 25 (I'm 79.) I've never broken a bone that I know of.But you can believe I am being very careful.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. Bummer

I've had MS for 30 years, but a VERY mild case.
I traveled 20-23 business trips per year from 1994 to 2018.
I play golf a couple hundred times a year, now that I'm retired.
I take my dog to the dog park twice a day.
I still play guitar & piano everyday.
And, I substitute teach about 60 days a year.
When I said mild, I meant it.
Pretty lucky to this point.

[soldierant]

34. Very lucky. And long may it continue.

[TommyT139]

33. Can you call them and check?

[hlthe2b]

9. Windex can work (lowers surface tension while lubricating) but if it is too bad and not just swelling then

those who suggested letting a jeweler cut it off so that they could properly and most easily repair it might have the best idea...

Other than the ring and finger--I'm glad to hear you are doing so well and hope your MRI confirms many years of remission to come. Best wishes!

[ProfessorGAC]

10. That's A Pretty Good Idea

Windex has an nonionic surfactant so it's pretty gentle on the skin.
You played a dangerous game with the "lowering surface tension" comment.
PhD in physical organic chemistry & I worked for a surfactants company for many years.
You risked having me write a lecture on the mechanism that actually lowers surface tension.
That would make nobody happy!

[Hotler]

11. Dental floss.

And this.
https://www.today.com/style/here-s-easiest-way-remove-ring-stuck-your-finger-t100389

[ProfessorGAC]

12. That's Pretty Nifty!

I'm at least going to try that.

[Prairie_Seagull]

18. My wife got stung by a bee, her hand swollen up so bad

multiple rings had to be removed, this technique worked. Use waxed floss.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. Couldn't Get It To Work

Last edited Sat Apr 26, 2025, 01:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Tried ribbon floss, too.
The swelling just below the 2nd knuckle is too great.
Going today to get it professionally removed.

[Prairie_Seagull]

20. I helped my wife complete her task.

The trick, if one can call it that, is to make sure the floss when encircling your finger, is to make sure it is laid down one turn adjacent to the last. Not all bunched up on top of each other. Neatly as it were.

As fluid (blood) does not compress much, this will only get you so far.

Good luck GAC.

[Prairie_Seagull]

21. In fact I just thought of this.

Start at the tip of your finger and work quickly in the opposite direction giving the fluid a place to retreat to. I have arthritic hands as well and some of the 'swelling' could be additional bone mass. In which case. I going to cost ya.

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Problem Solved

New OP to report I had it cut off. Not the finger, the ring!

[HeartsCanHope]

16. I found this video, too, about ring removal.

I thought the surgical glove option looked interesting. Hope that something has worked for you. Good luck with removing the ring AND your MRI.

[Ms. Toad]

23. My daughter has regular MRIs (once a year)

Whether gold jewelry has to be removed is a facility thing. The place she goes to more requires it, so at least once a year I have to help her reinstall her 5 teeny tiny gold ear posts and septum ring. The place she went before never required it.

I think the concern is non-gold contaminants that might heat up and burn her.

[yardwork]

27. Try calling the facility to learn if you can wear the ring.

If they aren't going to scan that hand, you may not have to remove it. Especially if you explain that you can't get it off.

I had an MRI of my hip and back last fall and didn't remove my rings. I've gained considerably more than 10 lbs in recent years. I can get them off with a lot of work but I forgot and showed up wearing them. They let it go.

[ProfessorGAC]

29. They Probably Would Have Waived It

Their FAQs at the hospital says gold dental work is fine.
And, the MRI is for the head. So, if it's ok in my mouth it should be ok on my finger.
My crowns are 12K: the ring 18K.
But, I was going to have to get it removed and resized eventually, so I figured to just do it now.