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Feeling Vulnerable = Right hand arthritis - bitter cold weather

(16 Posts)
Bea65 Fri 03-Jan-25 18:20:26

Ugh today had to go out...but right hand is acutely painful despite pain meds..and swearing a lot- .think i need a wrist support which i suppose could get from pharmacy but can't get there now....hate being in this situation...just venting...

teabagwoman Fri 03-Jan-25 18:48:46

Arthritis in your hands is a miserable affliction. Does warmth help at all? A friend swears by compression gloves.

Bea65 Fri 03-Jan-25 19:08:07

I’ve tried to warm my hand .. have it in a heated cuff for half hour but not working… haven’t got compression gloves… it’s never been this bad in hand / do have widespread OA and have pain management relief but my R hand is throbbing cold..

Marydoll Fri 03-Jan-25 19:20:31

I have RA and my hands are constantly painful, thirty years of it. It is like raging toothache. Somedays I can hardly use my hands. My wrist splints were prescribed by my rheumatologist, measured and fitted by a physiotherapist. The size needs to be correct.

However they are very restrictive and sometimes I can't bear wearing them, so my OT gave me silky fingerless gloves as an alternative.
You can buy them on Amazon.

Jeanathome Fri 03-Jan-25 19:24:33

Rotten time of the year all round. Could you make a bit of a support yourself ( short term solution)

karmalady Fri 03-Jan-25 19:33:14

I also swear by compression gloves. I wear them at night if my fingers are feeling swollen or sore from overwork, or from knitting or spinning. The gloves give my hands and fingers a feeling of comfort and the warmth helps a lot

Bea, however hand throbbing and cold sounds as if blood is being restricted. There are some nice exercises on youtube, to stretch and release fascia, which is tissue like a sausage casing. It could be squeezing blood vessels. I would do the exercises now and put gloves on for bed. If no better tomorrow then GP would be a good idea

karmalady Fri 03-Jan-25 19:35:16

look up the specific exercises for hands

theworriedwell Fri 03-Jan-25 22:47:07

I got compression gloves from Amazon. I don't need them all the time and I did get some exercises from physio which also help.

Bea65 Fri 03-Jan-25 23:50:13

My index finger is very swollen.. and sensitive to touch ..bit warm - woke me up only been asleep 2hrs ..so will try anything at this point

Bea65 Sat 04-Jan-25 00:25:38

Will try and get compression gloves ..like the sound of the silky ones
Thank you ladies

Marydoll Sat 04-Jan-25 00:31:56

The silky ones are also compressions gloves. There is a warm and comforting feeling, when you wear them.
I would never have known about them, if the Occupational Therapist hadn't given me a pair.

Make sure you measure your hand, to get the correct fit, otherwise you may do more harm, than good.

Marydoll Sat 04-Jan-25 00:34:28

Here in Glasgow, you can self refer to Physio dept, is that possible where you live? They will supply supports, if required.

Bea65 Sat 04-Jan-25 00:41:31

Marydoll

Here in Glasgow, you can self refer to Physio dept, is that possible where you live? They will supply supports, if required.

Think physio ATM would be difficult to arrange …am on waiting list for 2 THRs - first one maybe April or earlier and consultant said he’d like to do the second one 3 months after if I’ve healed well ..have widespread OA …but the right hand thumb joint and index finger are in a flare up

NotSpaghetti Sat 04-Jan-25 01:46:31

When my thumb was really bad and stolen I found ibuprofen gel helpful.
...I expect you have tried that - but if not...

NotSpaghetti Sat 04-Jan-25 01:47:32

My thumb was swollen - not stolen 🙄
Sorry you are in so much pain.
flowers

Bea65 Wed 08-Jan-25 03:32:18

🙏Thank you all for responding…am awake again..this time it’s a ‘cold on the tummy’ is how it feels … keep feeling need the loo …it’s a very icy cold night …
Has anyone experienced this symptom of coldness in the stomach area?