Wellness

[betteb]

On 9/24/2013 KatherineW said:

I developed sudden onset arthritis in (B) hands at age 29-30. I also have a history of stomach ulcers so pain reliever options have been limited for the past 22 years!!! I had joint-replacement surgery in 2000 that was very painful and took 18 months to recover from. If I knew the surgery had improved I might have my (R) thumb done....until then I deal with it.

I used to work for a Physical therapist and certified hand therapist and used a hand wax unit regularly. I still have one too! I would often have ultrasounds done of my hands that helped tremendously with pain. I am still tested every year or so for rheumatoid arthritis because I have all the symptoms just not the markers. My mother's sister and both my dad's sisters have RA. My mother developed the symptoms too but AFTER I did. I found that strange.

Good Luck. I have not tried acupuncture...........yet!!

Approx 30% of patients with RA test negative for Rheumatoid factors. It's called Sero-Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis. Have you seen a Rheumatologist?

[spent2much]

I've used Handeze fingerless gloves for years. They're tan/beige (flesh) colored. Be sure you get this type (color) and order them in a size appropriate for you - one size does not fit all very well.

[NoelSeven]

Ask your MD about taking glucosamine.

I have Lupus and many times I wake up with stiff and sore hands, which explains a lot of my typos, LOL. Lupus and arthritis involve inflammation. I asked her if there was anything I could take to help with the inflammation.

She said some patients of hers were having good luck with glucosamine. I got a bottle of the pills at Costco.

[mousiegirl]

On 9/22/2013 bozismydog said:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will probably start with the Arnica gel and go from there. I am a bit weary of taking medication unless I absolutely have to. I only take the Alieve out of desperation. I even have magnetic bracelets but I am not so sure they help. I will keep my eyes open fort those neoprene gloves as well. I truly appreciate your help with this.

I use SportsGel which contains Arnica, or basically is, for any ache I have. Be careful with Aleve, because it can affect the heart.

[mousiegirl]

On 1/29/2015 colliemom3 said:

I saw a video online of a man that would put his hands in a sink of very cold water for as long as he could stand it, and then warm water for a few minutes. He did it several times in the video and said it worked well. I never tried it and had never heard of anything like it but he swore by it.

I wanted to add that he was some sort of physical therapist. I believe he tried to use natural methods when possible.

colliemom, once I had physical therapy on a thumb, and this is exactly what was done, but it didn't work for me, so I stopped going.

[Tissyanne]

People that spend lots of time on computers, tablets, texting can develop problems. I had a finger that was called trigger finger, and every morning would wake up with that finger doubled. I use a tablet, and bought an ereader pyramid that holds my tablet. The trigger finger went away with a couple of days.

[colliemom4]

I've read that a lot of young people are experiencing painful hand problems now from using cell phones as much as they do etc. Many go into doctors hoping for some sort of miracle surgery but there isn't one.

[colliemom4]

On 1/29/2015 mousiegirl said:

On 1/29/2015 colliemom3 said:

I saw a video online of a man that would put his hands in a sink of very cold water for as long as he could stand it, and then warm water for a few minutes. He did it several times in the video and said it worked well. I never tried it and had never heard of anything like it but he swore by it.

I wanted to add that he was some sort of physical therapist. I believe he tried to use natural methods when possible.

colliemom, once I had physical therapy on a thumb, and this is exactly what was done, but it didn't work for me, so I stopped going.

I went to one for my neck and they never helped me. They made me worse by trying to make me lift ultra heavy weights. This was years ago. I refused. I got better eventually.

[KarenQVC]

collie and mouse--Try an OT who specializes in hand care--a hand clinic.

[KarenQVC]

OP--Try a hand clinic which has a hand dr. and a hand OT.