arthritis in hands

Pammie1

It depends on what type of arthritis. If it’s RA, like my own, you’re better getting a referral to a rheumatologist as left alone it can destroy joints. I take Methotrexate and occasionally Naproxen and it keeps the inflammation down. For osteoarthritis cod liver oil is good - especially if you can take it off the spoon, rather than capsules. Incorporate olive oil into your diet, and turmeric wherever you can - both helpful for OA.

No only does RA destroy joints, in my case it has caused serious heart and lung problems, because it is a systemic disease.
Most people have no idea how destructive it has.

Nanna58

I have Psoriatic Arthritis and all my joints are affected, but hands and feet the worst, currently waiting for an operation to fuse the joints in my left foot. Cannot take Ibuprofen in any form as prescribed Naproxen gave me a stomach ulcer?No real advice to give , just empathy for an illness many people without it view as ‘ minor’.

You have my sympathies.
DD3 was diagnosed with PA just before she was 30 and it broke my heart to see her limping. She also had to do twice yearly long haul flights to China for work and could only travel Business/flatbed.
Fortunately she was put on a 5 year drug trial at Bart’s (one of those drugs ending in -uximab) and it was magic!
The psoriasis went, she was pain free, could do yoga and all the things she enjoyed, BUT she was newly married and they were told “no babies” until the trial was up plus a 4 month “wash out” period.
LSS she took herself off the drug trial after 4 years as they really wanted a family, but then she found she had Endemetriosis, (quite possibly connected) which necessitated surgery and she was just about to start IVF when she realised she was pregnant. She is 40 now, Otis is nearly 3 and his little brother Remy, 5 months and because of breastfeeding etc she has never gone back on the drug, although I really hope she will eventually as it is, as you are experiencing, a very cruel and aggressive form of arthritis.

Redhead56

I have Dupuytrens contracture in my hands and I had operations for carpal tunnel and trigger finger. The last operation was on the main joint on my left hand the most painful but the problem still exists. I have painful ganglion cysts constantly coming and going. I can’t take medication because the medication I have taken for years for Osteoarthritis have (so I was told) caused kidney disease. I have tried everything available with no success. My hands are unsightly but I am stuck with them everything I do practically has to be negotiated.

I, too have Dupuytrans along with arthritis in my thumb joint but thankfully, thus far I have no contracture and my thumb joint, which was painful at first is ok now. I have taken turmeric in the form of golden paste for years, though and I like to think this has helped.I also try to eat things like papaya which are anti inflammatory. Would you be able to have radiotherapy for your Dupuytrans?

MayBee70 radiotherapy was not suggested by my GP in fact nothing was. I am one of four family members with Dupuytrans disease.
Apart from the problems with my hands I have osteoarthritis in a lot of joints. I have learnt to live with these problems. I might consider looking into this so Thank you.

There’s a Facebook group devoted to Dupuytrans. The people on it are very knowledgeable. I did look into radiotherapy as I developed nodules on my feet but thought I’d continue with the turmeric and, as with my hands my feet haven’t got worse. Radiotherapy only helps when the Dupuytrans is active and can’t reverse contracture. I worry about my children inheriting it.

I've had a lot of success with Golden Paste - turmeric, coconut oil and black pepper - in controlling pain in my hands but not in other areas. Tiger Balm works well on my feet/ankles but not on my hands! Obviously in my case it's different horses for different courses.

I have RA and Osteoarthritis ,usual places,hands,wrists,shoulders,knees etc etc,I am on Benepali injection weekly and methotrexate injection also weekly for my RA,this combination has helped immensely with my inflammation,for Osteoarthritis prescribed Ibuprofen,I buy Solpadol pain patches in bulk from Japan and apply to sore joints when necessary ,they are really effective and I have recommended them to many of my friends ,£30 for 240 patches is the current best deal I could find, ordered last week.

Scooter, I had never heard of Benapali, till you mentioned it.
I have been through every RA drug, one put me in hospital with a heart attack, after an allergic reaction. I am now taking the highest dose of Sulfazalazine and having weekly injections of the biologic, Tocillizamub At a £1000 a month, its not cheap. Unfortunately, there has been a world wide shortage, as supplies have been diverted to Covid ICU.

Also, I'm am unable to have anti-imflammatories, due to co-morbidities, so wear a Fentanyl patch, topped up with prescribed, eight paracetamol a day. Obviously with that dose, my liver function needs monitored.
Scooter, rather than buy medication from the internet, would you not consider asking for referral to a pain clinic? It was my consultant who did this for me, what a difference the patch made,

Those of you with RA may be interested to know that in some patients, the Covid vaccine may have impaired the efficacy of RA medications, by impacting on the immune system.
I am in the throes of a major flare up, caused by the vaccinations, according to my consultant. Damned if you do and damned if you don't!!!

Oops,Salonpas patches,not Solpadol ?‍♀️

Marydoll,my rheumatologist and go are very good with me and have referred me to various clinics,Physio’s etc all help in their own ways,I swim most days and that is an immense help in keeping my joints from stiffening up,I prefer to use that patches as they work faster for me than anything else,been using them for over 5 years now,sometimes no need for months but if I have a major flare up then they are my go to solution,it’s a buggar of a disease right enough,as you say injections are very costly and I had many other treatments including leflunomide,Sulfasazene etc before eventually trialling the Benepali as well as Methotrexate injection which I have now been on for 3 years,combined with my swimming it’s giving me a decent quality of life at the moment,I am 63 and have been on various meds etc since my 30s.

Ro60

Cutting out alcohol and turmeric in my smoothies works for me - so far. Fingers crossed - whilst I still Can ....

Until I read this post - and tried, had not realised that I could no longer cross my fingers on either hand

Scooter, it was Leflunomide which put me in hospital!!! I realised I was having an allergic reaction, (past experience with other meds) after only two tablets and phoned 999.
I had a secondary reaction, when a nurse mistakenly gave me another dose in the ward! It was fortunate that I was in the high dependency unit!

I too was very active, and managed to continue teaching for thirty years after my initial diagnosis, until I could no longer do my physically demanding job. In the past I have been asked to by the OTS to come and talk to support groups about remaining positive, having a career and living with RA. It does not need to ruin your life.

My heart attack was actually a blessing in disguise. I was shocked to discover, scans revealed damage to both my heart and lungs, due to this evil, progressive disease. Out of the blue, I had another heart attack in January of this year.
Unfortunately, surgical intervention is not an option. The damage is deep inside my heart.

However, I am taking part in a BHF research programme, to try and find out why so many RA patients, suffer from heart disease. My cardiologist's words to me were, Most RA patients don't die because they have RA, they die of heart failure, caused by RA!
Taking part in research won't be of any benefit to me, but hopefully will help the next generation of RA patients. ​

I'm presently awaiting a number of investigations, as my health, despite my attempts to stay active and positive, even during sheilding, have not prevented a deterioration in my heart and lungs I have a high pain threshold and usually deal with intense pain, but months of 'flu like symptoms and breathlessness are what is wearing me down.

Sadly, sometimes, despite the rolls Royce of medication, the best of intentions and a positive attitude, we have no control over this insidious condition. It furtively and silently wreaks havoc on our bodies.
Presently mine is doing just that, it's become unmanageable, according to my consultant and I'm pretty dammned mad that I can't beat it!

Scooter and all fellow sufferers, I hope you manage to stay reasonably well. It 's heartening to hear your positive view of living with RA, some patients just give up.
There are so many sufferers on here, would it be a good idea to have a support thread?

Marydoll

I have RA, osteoarthritis and Carpal tunnel in my hands. I too can't have anti inflammatories but do use 10% prescription Ibruprofen gel ,wrist and thumb splints. I also have steroid injections into the affected areas, but too many are not recommended.
Heat bags also help and I am very fortunate in that I am on biologics for my RA, which dampen down inflammation.

On occasions, I have threatened to cut off my hands, the pain is so severe!

Marydoll.
My daughter has RA, so I understand and sympathise totally with what you are saying.
It is frustrating that people in general put RA under the same heading as osteo arthritis. They are not the same and any remedies for osteo will not work on RA.
I hope the biologics are helping a bit, on top of all the medications that you are obviously taking.
I have osteo all over the place, and it is painful and annoying, but my daughter's sudden onset RA at 40 is a terrible thing to watch. It's like a freight train with no brakes.

Marydoll, my you’ve certainly been tested by this disease, fighting it all the way, as you say, it has effects on other organs which people don’t realise , My Mum had RA for years , almost housebound and using a stairlift etc, she died of a heart attack aged 77, fought the disease since her early 30s, I get my bloods etc taken every 3 months to keep a check on everything because of the meds I take . I had to give up my job in garden centre just before covid struck , I hope the investigations come up with some positive news for you, I can relate entirely when you say you get pretty damned mad when you can’t beat it !!! We are fighters , we’ve got to be !!! Take care everyone

Scooter, we are indeed, but never victims!!!

paddyanne54 have you tried an Acti Patch for your hip pain Its worn 24/7 and my daughter had good results from it

paddyanne I am very interested in this as I have the beginnings of arthritis in both hips, but the pain is deep in my groin. I've been researching Acti Patch - whereabouts does your daughter place the patches?

I had terrible thumb pains for many years. And suddenly- I notice I didn't anymore. No idea why. Best of luck.