Joint pain in hands - what to do?

[jenilee70]

I'm diagnosed with arthritis, although it's still not definite which kind of arthritis it is. I have widespread joint pain in my hands and feet, mostly in my fingers and toes.

The medication I'm taking is Plaquenil, Neurontin and Paracetamol (Tylenol). My rheumatologist also tried Naproxen, but it didn't really help. The pain in my hands and fingers is constant and increasing. The biggest problem I have is working on the computer. Sometimes I have a hard time straightening my fingers, due to pain. In the morning, my fingers are also very stiff.

Here's the thing. The rheumatologist says I can either try steroids or have injections in my joints. I'm not very fond of either idea, due to the side effects of the steroids and such.

Is there anything else I can do to decrease the pain in my hands and make it manageble? I tried water exercise, but it didn't have a positive effect. Ditto for regular exercise. Does anyone here have a similar problem that they have been able to manage?

[Patti_B]

I wish I could offer some good advice but I've been living with the pain for 5 years now and it has only gotten worse. I soak my hands in very hot water when it's REAL bad and that sometimes eases the pain a little.

[cynthiadew]

I'm a veteran of arthritic hands. A parafin bath in worth it's weight in gold. They are available at most drug stores and wally world. Use the parafin that comes with them. I like the wax that has orange oil in it, smells nice. I use mine most every morning, it also has the side benefit of strengthing your nails.

Cynthia

[Ronnied]

Hi

Do you think you may have psoriatic arthritis? I have had this disease for just over three years, it affected my fingers, and toes at first, it is now in my knees, ankles, toes, hands, elbows and neck. My hands have steadily got worse and I found typing all day at work a bit of a struggle. My fingers sometimes locked as I was typing. I have been on all the dmards and am presently on leflunomide (arava). I wear splints on my wrists as at present being tested for carpal tunnel in both wrists. I am replying to your post as the best thing I did was to give up the job. I only type now at home on good days. Arthritis is a painful, depressing disease and not really understood by people who do not have it. My hands are started to claw a little and I am 49, I hope the dmards stop it getting any worse. My knees and elbows this weekend have been extremely painful and you get really fed up with it. Try splints on your wrists, and keep them warm. I have found getting cold makes things a lot worse. If you have any other questions, please ask.

Ronnie

[creinha]

Is there a reason you can't take an anti-inflammatory medication? It will help with the stiffness. I had the same problem. I was diagnosed with RA and given Plaquenil, which helped a lot, but I still had some minor pain and significant stiffness in the hands. I added Relafen and it made a huge difference for me.