hi,
I need some advice anD help. My left thumb has been hurting the last couple of days, only if i move it. can't bend it or straighten it out, otherwise it hurts, like a pulling feeling.
Im 30 years old, i dont have health insurance, any idea what kind of a doctor should i see, rheumatologist maybe? i hope i dont have that, but could it be the culprit?
anyone in New york with a good, trustful doctor ?? i really want to have this checked out asap.
PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU.

Since you don't have insurance I suggest you go with your regular doctor. Here, specialists usually charge $200 a visit. If you don't have a lot of money, that's $200 that you could spend for an x-ray and a few blood tests.

Also, everyone seems to make the mistake that a Rheumatologist only treats rheumatoid arthritis, they don't. They diagnose and help treat all types of arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and probably a few other things I can't remember at the moment.

Thank you for your quick reply. Well, i've found one doctor that charges $175 INCLUDING X-RAYS. so if nothing else i ll go and get to at least the bottom of this, because it really bothers me and my shoulder hurts once in a while too. Only on one side and have tingling feeling, so the two might be connected.
I'll let you know. :-)
I just pray its not arthiritis, because as I heard it escalates over time. is it true? :-((

I have arthritis in my thumbs. If it is arthritis, it would hurt at the joint, near the base of the thumb or the wrist probably. Also, is it just one thumb, or both hands? I have both hands and thumbs are the worst pain.

Are you sure you didn't injure it or hit it in some way? I can move my thumbs, but they hurt like crazy. Also, do you have pain in any other fingers?

hey Rita,
Thanks for the info. Well, a long time ago i twisted my hand and my whole left hand hurt for a while, which slowly but went away, mostly the top of my hand and my thumb. but now a couple days ago its just my thumb, and if i push on the bone it hurts. hurts especially when im trying to stretch it out. only left thumb and i noticed my right ring finger hurts if i squeeze it hard but hardly noticeable. does it have to do anything with the thumb, do you think, i mean more likely is it arthiritis?? my wrist doesnt hurt, but doesnt arthiritis start in one finger and then escalates??
not sure if i sould see a rheumatologist or orthopedist?? what test should i request?
THANK YOU!!!!

oh, and also Rita, how did your start, do u feel the pain when you move it around, does it get worse, how did you find out? is it only your thumb?