topic Re: Osteoarthritis in Wellness

Osteoarthritis

Trailrun23 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:02:08 GMT

I have been dealing with a very swollen finger joint for a month. It hasn't been injured or anything, just swollen and painful. We had a cold front come in with the first cold weather of the season...and my finger got worse. Called to see pcp and they can't see me until January....does this sound like arthritis? I don't know how to treat it until I can see the dr. I can still move the finger okay but it hurts. Tylenol doesn't help, nor does Aleve or ice packs.

Re: Osteoarthritis

rockygems123 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:10:50 GMT

@Trailrun23 wrote:
I have been dealing with a very swollen finger joint for a month. It hasn't been injured or anything, just swollen and painful. We had a cold front come in with the first cold weather of the season...and my finger got worse. Called to see pcp and they can't see me until January....does this sound like arthritis? I don't know how to treat it until I can see the dr. I can still move the finger okay but it hurts. Tylenol doesn't help, nor does Aleve or ice packs.

@Trailrun23

Maybe check online see if any supplements or food choices suggested? I have friends that take tumeric for relief and for me personally eliminating carbs & sugar helps my joints.

Re: Osteoarthritis

Kachina624 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:31:19 GMT

@Trailrun23 Get a tube of Voltaren and rub A dab on your finger whenever its bothering you. I've got 10 fingers that ache to different degrees at different times. It helps.

Re: Osteoarthritis

tansy — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:59:18 GMT

Ditto to what @Kachina624 @said, @Trailrun23.

It sounds like osteoarthritis to me. Do you think the joint is infected?

Re: Osteoarthritis

Snowpuppy — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 05:35:54 GMT

You can always soak your hands in a warm or hot epsom salts in the sink or deep bowl.

Treat youself to a good hand massage and lay a warm, damp towel over your hands when done.

Keep in mind Voltaren is an NSAID so be mindful of any other pain relievers you are taking if you decide to use it.

Re: Osteoarthritis

Nonametoday — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 06:14:52 GMT

@Trailrun23 wrote:
I have been dealing with a very swollen finger joint for a month. It hasn't been injured or anything, just swollen and painful. We had a cold front come in with the first cold weather of the season...and my finger got worse. Called to see pcp and they can't see me until January....does this sound like arthritis? I don't know how to treat it until I can see the dr. I can still move the finger okay but it hurts. Tylenol doesn't help, nor does Aleve or ice packs.

@Trailrun23

Get one of the Voltaren or other NSAID creams that you rub on which will not get "invade" your systems like taking an oral medication will. Rub some on it. Once might not work, but several times as directed on the tube and see if that helps. If it is arthritis, it will give relief but likely will not "cure" it (sotospeak). It sounds as though it could be arthritis or other vascuitides. Have you tried Tylenol-Arthritis?

Re: Osteoarthritis

KathyM23 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 07:24:17 GMT

@Trailrun23 Instead of waiting until January to see your pcp, I would just go to urgent care and be seen right away. The waiting times to see your doctor is just getting ridiculus. Urgent care can help you right away to relieve some of your discomfort and keep your pcp appointment in January for their recommendation or referral to specialist.

My pnc now belongs to a management company and they keep 6 open appointments everyday to get a same day appointment with a dr or PA. Only thing is they open at 7:30 a.m. and it is first come first served.

I called at 10:30 needing an appointent to see my dr or her Pa and was told they had no appointments for a month and suggested the above same day procedure. Well, my response was I am sick now, on the phone now and need to see my dr and obviously she has time tomorrow so why cant I see her, I'm sick. I got transferred to the office manager and was given an appointment the next day. Sometimes it pays to be persistant.

Re: Osteoarthritis

hckynutjohn — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 07:46:51 GMT

@Trailrun23

I have had Osteoarthritis in 3 fingers on each hand for several decades now. They have never swelled, but they do get worse if I use them, especially something that requires me to grip something for a sustained period of time.

Some mornings those fingers are almost froze shut. I have to fill our sink with really warm water and let them soak. I drain and reheat the water until I can move my fingers in an out while in the water.

After that I keep opening and closing them until they move pretty freely. I cannot take any anti-inflammatories or NSAIDS, Tylenol is about it. Topical creams do nothing, and I have tried many of them.

Since you have not yet been diagnosed by your doctor, it could possibly be something other than Osteoarthritis. I have this in many parts of my body, and I have never had any of those areas swell up on me.

Hope you find something that helps you.

hckynut 🥅🏒

Re: Osteoarthritis

Desertdi — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 08:50:59 GMT

@Trailrun23 If your finger is swollen, painful, red, and WARM to the touch, it is possibly rheumatoid arthritis.

I am NOT a doctor, but I have had RA since I was 9 years old (due to a bout of rheumatic fever.)

Re: Osteoarthritis

SilleeMee — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 13:13:34 GMT

You can always go to a 'Doc-In-the-Box' to help you get Rx pain meds/anti-inflammatory to hold you over until you can see your regular doctor.

Re: Osteoarthritis

SeaMaiden — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:19:00 GMT

@Trailrun23 I have osteoporosis and my knuckles will flare up occasionally mostly on my right hand ..and on my right foot toe knuckles....yes..swelling, pain redness comes and goes.

Re: Osteoarthritis

chrystaltree — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 15:35:04 GMT

It could be arthritis but it could be something else. Any one of a number of things. Forget supplements. Try Voltaren, it's a topical (cream) for arthritis pain. It relieves the inflammation that causes the pain. It works wonders for my shoulder pain even though I'm not sure if it is arthritis. Try calling your doctor's office.again. Firmly but nicely ask to speak to a nurse or office manager. Tell them that you are in extreme pain constant and it is affecting your sleep and you can't use the hand. Tell them you need an appointment asap.

Re: Osteoarthritis

Nonametoday — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:34:12 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
@Trailrun23 If your finger is swollen, painful, red, and WARM to the touch, it is possibly rheumatoid arthritis.

I am NOT a doctor, but I have had RA since I was 9 years old (due to a bout of rheumatic fever.)

@Desertdi @Trailrun23

Rheumatoid is a very, very serious diagnosis. I have osteoarthritis and degeneartive arthritis and I swell with it. I DO NOT have rheumatoid. That is extremely serious condition. I also have osteoporosis but MY FINGERS SWELL AS DO MY WRISTS. Gout can also cause red, swollen fingers, toes, etc.

Re: Osteoarthritis

hckynutjohn — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:44:58 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
I am NOT a doctor, but I have had RA since I was 9 years old (due to a bout of rheumatic fever.)

@Desertdi

My late mother was born with Rheumatic Fever. It damaged her heart and effected her whole life. This genetic predisposition was passed down to me, but none of my 3 older sisters. Only 1 of them is still living, and she will be 89 next month.

Wondering if your Rheumatic Fever has effected any of your Cardiovascular System. As always, I respect each member's privacy, when it comes to any of the questions I ask.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Osteoarthritis

Mustang Shar — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 17:12:39 GMT

I had a similar incident that was happening to my right wrist. It had been extremely painful, whole hand swelled up. The 3rd time it happened I got disgusted and went to ER at 5 am. It was nearly impossible for me to drive myself. They didn't know either.

Then I saw my orthopedic and had blood work and bam, I tested positive for rheumatoid arthritis. A disease that not only attacks your joints but your body. I've been on methotrexate for several months and no reoccurrence and I feel great. Just have to monitor my liver. Just my experience

NOTHING would work to stop that pain nor swelling. Not ice, heat Advil... nothing. So please, see an orthopedic get some blood work to see if RA. Good luck

Re: Osteoarthritis

hckynutjohn — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 17:52:10 GMT

@Mustang Shar wrote:
I had a similar incident that was happening to my right wrist. It had been extremely painful, whole hand swelled up. The 3rd time it happened I got disgusted and went to ER at 5 am. It was nearly impossible for me to drive myself. They didn't know either.

Then I saw my orthopedic and had blood work and bam, I tested positive for rheumatoid arthritis. A disease that not only attacks your joints but your body. I've been on methotrexate for several months and no reoccurrence and I feel great. Just have to monitor my liver. Just my experience

NOTHING would work to stop that pain nor swelling. Not ice, heat Advil... nothing. So please, see an orthopedic get some blood work to see if RA. Good luck

@Mustang Shar

Such a good and informative post. Just to emphasize a bit more on your, "not only attacks your joints", comment. While joints can be painful, that always grabs every person's attention!

Some effected by this disease will have nothing to attract their attention, such as pain. As most know, there are diseases known as Silent Killers. Some require blood tests to detect, others require more in depth procedures, to detect.

Everyone, pain or no pain, should at the very least have a Full Blood Test done, at some point starting at adulthood, and regularly thereafter. There are many men that "I haven't seen a doctor since *****", that seem to think that they are worthy of a medal! Sorry chaps.

That's it!

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Osteoarthritis

Kachina624 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 18:20:30 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
You can always soak your hands in a warm or hot epsom salts in the sink or deep bowl.

Treat youself to a good hand massage and lay a warm, damp towel over your hands when done.

Keep in mind Voltaren is an NSAID so be mindful of any other pain relievers you are taking if you decide to use it.

@Snowpuppy The amount she would use on a finger would be negligible. In fact, I'm not supposed to use NSAIDs due to kidney damage but my doctor said I could use Voltaren as needed. Its not absorbed as a pill would be or filtered through the kidneys.

Re: Osteoarthritis

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:12:05 GMT

@Trailrun23 wrote:
I have been dealing with a very swollen finger joint for a month. It hasn't been injured or anything, just swollen and painful. We had a cold front come in with the first cold weather of the season...and my finger got worse. Called to see pcp and they can't see me until January....does this sound like arthritis? I don't know how to treat it until I can see the dr. I can still move the finger okay but it hurts. Tylenol doesn't help, nor does Aleve or ice packs.

@Trailrun23

I have both RA and Osteo .... and find that using a topical cream as a hand cream helps a lot. Sometimes I put it on at night and wake up pain free, but also during the day, if needed.

Using topical products means we can be taking less pills.

I usually use Aspercreme or Blue Emu ... sometimes Salon Pas ... whatever is unscented.

Re: Osteoarthritis

sann — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:31:51 GMT

Aspercreme Arthritis Pain Relief Gel.....

Re: Osteoarthritis

AuntMame — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 05:05:41 GMT

Ouch! That sounds painful. I have a couple joints that swell up. I was told it was either gout and/or osteoarthritis. Although gout is a more pin-prickly stabbing pain, while arthritis is a deep ache. X-rays confirmed that its osteoarthritis, but didn't rule out that gout might also be involved. Osteoarthritis usually arises from overuse of the joints. Tylenol does nothing to help. But one tablet of ibuprofen before bed is a miracle drug and usually insures I don't wake up with any pain or swelling. Good luck! Arthritis is a witch.