topic Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now! in Community Chat

Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

Sue98 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:57:09 GMT

Is it arthritis? I have always had very thin fingers with larger knuckles (just like my aunt), and I've always had to buy rings big enough to fit over my knuckles. Rings are my favorite jewelry item, and other than earrings, that is all the jewelry I typically were.

For a few weeks now, I've had trouble getting my rings on. I first noticed it with my wedding ring. I thought my fingers were just swollen, as it had been hot and humid. I started noticing it more every day. None of my rings fit! It has been very chilly here for several days now, so I can no longer blame it on the weather. I have had a day here or there in the past when my rings didn't fit because my fingers were swollen, but my rings have not fit me for weeks now.

I have a very large ring collection, and I hate to see them just sit in my jewelry box. Is my only option to get that all resized? Has anyone else had this problem?

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

circles — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:05:56 GMT

most likely arthritis....I use to wear a size 7 ring....haha....now they all sit in my jewelry box...I just ordered a size 9 and 10 ring...same one...neither of them fit over my knuckles...I had to send them back...I was so disappointed....I love rings, too...now I don't know what size to order...most of the Q rings stop at size 10....hard to find an 11....

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

colliemom4 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:27:55 GMT

My jeweler told me that as we age our hands change and it has nothing to do with weight gain. I'm not certain if this is what you are experiencing or not.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

Linders Back — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:33:50 GMT

Sounds like arthritis. My Mom has the same problem.

There is a solution you might want to check out. She had a few of her favorite rings fit with an adjustable closure (sort of like the ones on some watchbands that flip open and then fold flat) or there is another method where the jeweler can convert the ring with a hinge (like some bangle bracelets have).

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

esmeraldagooch — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:45:39 GMT

On 7/31/2014 sue98 said:
Is it arthritis? I have always had very thin fingers with larger knuckles (just like my aunt), and I've always had to buy rings big enough to fit over my knuckles. Rings are my favorite jewelry item, and other than earrings, that is all the jewelry I typically were.

For a few weeks now, I've had trouble getting my rings on. I first noticed it with my wedding ring. I thought my fingers were just swollen, as it had been hot and humid. I started noticing it more every day. None of my rings fit! It has been very chilly here for several days now, so I can no longer blame it on the weather. I have had a day here or there in the past when my rings didn't fit because my fingers were swollen, but my rings have not fit me for weeks now.

I have a very large ring collection, and I hate to see them just sit in my jewelry box. Is my only option to get that all resized? Has anyone else had this problem?

This doesn't sound like arthritis. Many ladies have swelling from heat in the summer and you could be retaining water. Many ladies have summer jewelry and winter jewelry. If this continues, it may be arthritis. I would hold off the cost of resizing rings for a little while or you may have to make them smaller in a few weeks.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

MaggieToo — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:11:29 GMT

Most of my fingers have gnarly knuckles from arthritis. But my left hand ring finger is still a normal 5 size. My right hand ring finger went from a 6 to a 7. I can't get rings on any other fingers except my little fingers and they are probably a 4.

I, too, have many rings I cannot wear any longer.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

kittymomNC — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:24:01 GMT

I have some arthritis in my hands, more pronounced in my pointer finger 1st joint on my right hand. It doesn't usually hurt, it just seems to keep adding bone! My finger joints have changed over the years so now a ring that I used to have specifically for my middle or pointer finger won't go over the joints, and it's a little too loose for my ring finger. None of the joints hurt except the one I mentioned on my pointer finger (just once in a while), but they have definitely increased in size...not my fingers, just the joints, and my fingers don't swell. So maybe it's just a hazard of aging....

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

sharlee — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:18:34 GMT

OK, question here, because I honestly don't know - is it arthritis even if you have no joint pain and/or stiffness? I thought those were always the symptoms of arthritis; is there an asymptomatic kind?

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

hckynut — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 05:19:15 GMT

Fingers and knuckles: contract in cold/expand with heat. Some people also as they age their fingers get thicker, I know mine have over the years. I have osteoarthritis in the first 3 fingers on each hand, but they did not get bigger because of this.

Now the other type of arthritis?

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

NoelSeven — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 05:47:32 GMT

Hi Sue I'd like to suggest you see your doctor soon. You're obviously concerned and we can only guess what's happening. My fingers swell at times, also, so I know how discomforting it can be.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 06:16:38 GMT

I'm guessing it's more likely to be osteo-arthritis than rheumatoid arthritis, but you should DEFINITELY see your doctor if they don't shrink back to normal in the next week or two.

Have you noticed any difference in your feet or joints lately? Your MD will want to keep an eye on the rest of your joints, as well, and may want to put you on a medication to keep swelling to a minimum.

Seriously, you don't want your MD to wait until all your knuckles are gnarled before they start treatment, do you?

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

Burnsite — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 14:23:49 GMT

Sue, You could be retaining water for some reason?

I have big knuckles too and was beginning to wonder about arthritis, but when I lost 15 pounds last year I was into all my rings again--a few had stopped fitting.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

terrier3 — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 14:32:35 GMT

@Burnsite wrote:
Sue, You could be retaining water for some reason?

I have big knuckles too and was beginning to wonder about arthritis, but when I lost 15 pounds last year I was into all my rings again--a few had stopped fitting.

That happened to me too...my fingers got just fat enough to stop being a size 6! When I lost the weight, they fit fine.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

wildcat fan — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 15:17:42 GMT

Since it just started recently, you may want to see a doctor just in case. I experience finger swelling when I've had too much sodium. When I cut back on salt intake, my fingers return to normal. Drinking lots of water helps reduce the swelling for me.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 16:48:59 GMT

@Sue98 wrote:
Is it arthritis? I have always had very thin fingers with larger knuckles (just like my aunt), and I've always had to buy rings big enough to fit over my knuckles. Rings are my favorite jewelry item, and other than earrings, that is all the jewelry I typically were.
For a few weeks now, I've had trouble getting my rings on. I first noticed it with my wedding ring. I thought my fingers were just swollen, as it had been hot and humid. I started noticing it more every day. None of my rings fit! It has been very chilly here for several days now, so I can no longer blame it on the weather. I have had a day here or there in the past when my rings didn't fit because my fingers were swollen, but my rings have not fit me for weeks now.
I have a very large ring collection, and I hate to see them just sit in my jewelry box. Is my only option to get that all resized? Has anyone else had this problem?

You don't say how old you are, but if in your 20s 0r 30s it may be sodium .... if older, it is probably arthritis. Does it run in your family?

Time to check in with your doctor ..... and, if it is arthritis, it's now time to fall in love with bracelets.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

sidsmom — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 18:04:34 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

..... and, if it is arthritis, it's now time to fall in love with bracelets.

Seriously? That's the only answer one can come up with?

So sad people are willing to accept what they consume MIGHT have a bearing on their health.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/diet-rheumatoid-arthritis/

Partial transcript of video (sources cited, as well):

"Rheumatoid arthritis can be a disfiguring condition… The treatment often involves some of our most toxic drugs—steroids, chemotherapy agents, thalidomide. We’ve known for 10 years that meat consumption may play a major role, based on this kind of data, where it appears the more meat populations eat, the higher their prevalence of the disease, and so eating vegetarian may reduce our chances of getting rheumatoid arthritis, but once you already have it, does it matter what you eat?

Vegetarian diets can be used to successfully treat rheumatoid arthritis: fact for fiction? Fact; nearly every study ever published on the matter has shown that vegetarian diets can indeed be used to successfully treat the disease. Some tested vegetarian diets with or without fasting, some tested vegan diets, some used raw vegan diets, some used gluten-free raw vegan diets. The one thing they all shared in common was that they were all vegetarian, and that they all worked."

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 22:13:40 GMT

@sidsmom wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

..... and, if it is arthritis, it's now time to fall in love with bracelets.
Seriously? That's the only answer one can come up with?
So sad people are willing to accept what they consume MIGHT have a bearing on their health.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/diet-rheumatoid-arthritis/

Partial transcript of video (sources cited, as well):

"Rheumatoid arthritis can be a disfiguring condition… The treatment often involves some of our most toxic drugs—steroids, chemotherapy agents, thalidomide. We’ve known for 10 years that meat consumption may play a major role, based on this kind of data, where it appears the more meat populations eat, the higher their prevalence of the disease, and so eating vegetarian may reduce our chances of getting rheumatoid arthritis, but once you already have it, does it matter what you eat?

Vegetarian diets can be used to successfully treat rheumatoid arthritis: fact for fiction? Fact; nearly every study ever published on the matter has shown that vegetarian diets can indeed be used to successfully treat the disease. Some tested vegetarian diets with or without fasting, some tested vegan diets, some used raw vegan diets, some used gluten-free raw vegan diets. The one thing they all shared in common was that they were all vegetarian, and that they all worked."

@sidsmom Regarding your second sentence .... I didn't understand what is sad about people accepting diet might play a part in various conditions ... the me, that is smart, not sad.

The OP needs to find out what her MD thinks about this knuckle change. Even if it is arthritis, changing her diet won't make it go away. However, she should aggressively research the problem once she gets a diagnosis! This disease progresses and should be treated from many angles.

Personally, I have inherited both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis from my parents, so I have been transitioning from rings to bracelets for a few years now. Just offering the OP a suggestion .... not saying it was the only thing she should do, okay?

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

SeaMaiden — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 22:41:09 GMT

I have OA. My knuckles have gotten larger with time on only my right hand ( I am right handed. I have many lovely rings I can no longer wear now. I will not have them sized. My fingers are still slim.....it is just my knuckles.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

Moonchilde — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 23:03:16 GMT

What's sad is a one-note alternative health evangelist with no credential who posts in every health/diet-related thread in the forum doing their best to spread theory and unproven "treatment" or diet that may or may not have to do with anything, but shows a clear disdain for traditional medicine.

On the subject at hand (lol accidental pun), I have medium-affected arthritic knuckles and they do continue to enlarge (slowly for me). They are painful at times, but not severely and not all the time, so one could certainly have arthritis in the hands and fingers without constant pain.

Re: Why are my knuckles getting bigger? None of my rings fit me now!

RainCityWoman — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 03:53:46 GMT

Arthritis runs in my family, and in my thirties, I got the beginnings of my first swollen joint in of all places my pinky finger. I didn't even know what it was until my dad told me. Some people are lucky enough to have straight fingers and flat joints all their lives, but if others in your family have it, you are pretty much guaranteed to get arthritis.