Arthritis in my thumbs

Arthritic thumbs hurt a lot but in time the inflammation settles and the pain diminishes.
You could try a wrist splint which has thumb support incorporated it helped with my arthritic pain.

Hi
I was double jointed in all fingers and thumbs but by using hands for years at work they seem to have locked up
The thing I find helpful isdaily massage and exercises
I've heard you get flare ups in your hands however mine does not seem to come and go anymore
Any tips would be helpfull

What worked for me was Rhus Tox & Ruta Cream by Helios (the Helios brand is the best). I had excruciating pain in one thumb which then spread to fingers and I spend a lot of time on my laptop and also painting, so was very worried the pain would affect this.

I find the cream a complete miracle and have been using it since 2014. It's available on Amazon but I now buy it in a tub direct from Helios and am currently using it on hips and one knee. No pain at all in my hands now and pain elsewhere well under control.

Hello Sparklefizz I have used Rhus Tox and Ruta Cream and found it helpful, but the tubes don't last long. I see that you are buying tubs of Rhus Tox direct from Helios. I've been to their website but can only find the tubes. Are you able to help by sending a link or further information please? Many thanks.

Use special gloves supports when knitting. Plenty of choice of these on line. Ditch your old steel needles and change to wooden or bamboo ones.

Knit yourself some fingerless gloves to wear when not knitting. Warmth really helps.

Aldom

Hello Sparklefizz I have used Rhus Tox and Ruta Cream and found it helpful, but the tubes don't last long. I see that you are buying tubs of Rhus Tox direct from Helios. I've been to their website but can only find the tubes. Are you able to help by sending a link or further information please? Many thanks.

Hi Aldom Glad it's helping you. I phoned them and asked them as (like you) I couldn't find tubs on their website, but an alternative practitioner friend of mine had suggested I ask.

I buy a 500g. tub for about £20 + p+p. Can't recall exactly how much it cost before but that's the approximate price and the tub lasts for ages and is much better value.

I find these gloves that I buy from Boots helpful. The arthritis in my thumbs flared up really badly a few months ago. I started wearing a thumb brace at night because they seemed to hurt even worse in the morning. There are a series of exercises that the hand clinic gave me that help but sometimes I forget to do them. I’ve got cotton gloves as well that I sometimes wear at night after I’ve put Voltarol or Ibuprofen on the joint. Taking turmeric seems to help, too. And I often sleep with my bad hand on a hot water bottle. Touch wood they’re not too bad at the moment.

I can add that I also find that Rhus Tox ointment very effective.

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I’ll try some of them out and hope to see an improvement.

When I went to a hospital advice session about my hands someone suggested those things you fill with warm wax and put your hands in. I didn’t really know what they meant because I’d never seen one.

Sparklefizz Thank you, I will give Helios a ring
Maybe70 The Wax Bath can be purchased online, along with a supply of wax. I've had one for many years. Prior to buying my own bath I was receiving the wax treatment at the hospital. The hot wax is soothing. But it is only a temporary relief and does not prevent the progression of the arthritis.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202210/medium-144130-img-20221015-094904.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202210/medium-252685-img-20221015-094755.jpg

Maybe70 Here it is.

Thanks Aldom.