Arthritic hands

I find the same, G23. Short bursts only nowadays of anything that requires intensive hand use. I have worn long wrist warmers in bed before now, ones that are long enough that I can pull them right down over my hands. The fact that they are open also means I can push them back a little if required but don't have to take them off. It does help. Ditto ankle warmers.

I gave up the Glucosamine about a year ago having read that it did no good after all. Hands (and knees) no better or worse since, but here comes the winter - always more sore and swollen in the cold. I do not know if knitting and crochet helps overall but find that I have to stop after an hour or hands are very sore the next day.

I would really like to know the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and whether these remedies work for both.

You might diminish the pain in your hands if you wear a pair of mittens or gloves in bed, especially during the winter months.

I have arthritic hands and I was interested in the citric acid nanafrancis mentioned but couldn't find the other thread and nanapippa spoke of turmeric tablets. I know turmeric is a super food and I use it in curries but didn't realise it was beneficial for arthritis. I just looked up natural news which I have regularly emailed to me and it is actually an amazing herb and there is a whole page about tumeric.
www.naturalnews.com/turmeric.html
Milo's advice takes me back, years ago my mother used to take cider vineger but had it with molasses. I can't remember why she was taking it though. Another thing I was planning on doing this weekend was buy some knitting needles and a crochet hook susiecb so its good to know that might help too. Thanks ladies for the helpful information!

It is very comforting to know that quite a few of us have arthritic finger joints, including me. I have had swollen finger joints since my mid-fifties starting on my right hand first and they are now on my left hand. I take glucosamine every day and rub on 'Blue-ease gel' from Holland and Barrett (£10.99 sometimes on offer but lasts a long time) twice a day and think it helps a bit, but try to keep my fingers moving and not let them get too cold especially in winter. I really hate the look of my hands though, one of my friends suggested to me about going to get my fingernails painted and I put it off as I am embarrassed about the look of my hands.

Hello all of you , Ive also been told that cider vineger only works for some , but it,s worth a try I think . I to love the choc and wine bit . Sounds lovely .

I'm another with swollen and lumpy fingers, some days they are more painful than others and definitely getting worst. I can't bend several of my fingers. I find it difficult to do up little buttons and dressing Barbie dolls not so easy nowadays

Susie I like the chocolate and wine tip, must try it!

I think this is about what suits some people doesnt suit others. My mother took the cider vinegar etc for years and it made no difference to her at all but she had rheumatoid arthritis. I have SLE (lupus) so its joints and connective tissue and can be internal organs. Add to that I'm a positivist and if the scientific evidence isnt there then I have little faith in it. My brother in law has now weekly injections (at enormous cost to the NHS ado not available to all) and his rheumatoid has all but disappeared. Here in Leics my appointment with the rheumatologist has been cancelled with no appointment on the forseeable future (she is very busy I am told!!!). I'm just trying to keep my joints active and mobile, not to hot not too cold and every day I wake up with another swollen joint and a new lump on another finger. I find chocolate and wine helps my mood if not my joints!!!

Thanks for all the advice , will definately try the cider vineger and the tumeric tablets . I,m very fit and active and it is so frustrating that I cannot open jars etc . Had to have my wedding ring made bigger yesterday as it just would not go over the swollen nuckle . Will keep you all informed of progress . Any info gladly recieved . Thanks all . x

As I said on the other thread, I couldn't manage without my Turmeric tablets. They are amazing for arthritis, and can be obtained from health food shops. If you google turmeric tabs you can see their uses. Of course as they are a spice they are quite safe.

It certainly worked for my dad. His hands were virtually useless before he started eliminating the citric acid from his diet and drinking that concoction every morning. His hands were free from pain and swelling in a matter of weeks. I do hope it helps you too.

Sorry should have said the recomendation was 1 spoonful each of cider vineger , hot water and honey . x

Thanks twizzle , went o the thread for aches & pains and there was a good tip from nanafrances. I,m going to try this as it sounds helpful .
will let you know how I get on . x

I do find trying not to let my hands get too cold or too hot does keep the swelling in some sort of check. I knit to try to stay felxible and play golf. unfortunatley I have got it (arthritis) everywhere as my mother had and sadly one of my daughters does and the best thing of all is positive thinking but there must be something else musn't there? My typing gets very funny and my daughters laugh at my e-mails which i dont spell check as they do come out quite funny at times. I get cross with dropping things as I was never clumsy before and you should see my cooks' burns. Ah well today is a family birthday party for one of the gansdosn who is seven so fun in the sun we hope in cambridge . I hope you all have a lovely day. (I can't make the smiley thing work so imagine me beaming at you). xx

As a new gran on the site it was some comfort to know that i,m not the only one with arthritic hands . I to susiecb drop things and I seem to b getting worse . My family doctor says I can have injections into the fingers or just have to put up with it ,.Scary stuff isn,t it . Help anybody .

There is some useful advice with regard to athritis on the 'Aches and Pains' thread (in the Health forum).

oh I'm going to watch this thread as I have these problems and my own daughter, 23, was diagnosed last year with arthritis in her hands AND knees.