Guest guest Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 My hands are only slightly swollen. I too drop things on a daily basis. The thumb joints are almost completely gone. My Dr. said they can replace the thumb ligament..........I just need to get insurance. I request stores to open all packages when I purchase an item wrapped in hard plastic. I tried using scissors- the kitchen kind that cut through bones. Most times I get quite frustrated but on good days I succeed. My prescriptions are filled using different caps which I must sign a release for. susan100250 <res0bh3k@...> wrote: I've got a question for all of you who experience stiffness, particularly in your hands. My hands and fingers are frequently stiff and sometimes feel weak -- I have trouble opening packages, especially the kind where you have to grasp and tear, like a foil tuna pouch. I fumble and drop things a lot, too, because I can't seem to grab things as tightly as I need to. However, because don't have any visible swelling, my current rheumy (who I think is borderline incompetent for other reasons) doesn't seem to understand how I can have such stiffness without swelling. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks, Raniolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 In a message dated 1/29/07 10:25:02 AM, c.raniolo@... writes: > However, because don't have any visible > swelling, my current rheumy (who I think is borderline incompetent for > other reasons) doesn't seem to understand how I can have such > stiffness without swelling. > I have had RA for years, and have no swelling anywhere that is visible, although I must have inflammation inside, because prednisone makes me a new person!. I too share the problems you have...I am VERY stiff in the morning. Yet, all the docs say " You look so normal " ! Is that good or bad, lol? Pris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Hello ! I don't have a lot of swelling in my hands, but they are very often stiff, weak & I get the " dropsies " as well. My fingers tire easily (I have trouble cutting a bologna sandwich in half!) I often wonder why I hurt so bad without the massive swelling that it seems a lot of people have. I am on prednisone, NSAIDs, plaquenil & MTX (only 5 weeks, so I don't think this is doing anything yet) so maybe they are controlling it to a certain point??? It seems that the drugs that I'm on are slowing down the speed at which my various body parts are effected, but it seems little by little that I am collecting more and more pain (my arthritis started in my feet and went up from there). This is something I will be bringing up to both of my rheumatologists at my next appointments (my 1st one sent me for a 2nd opinion, and it ended up that they decided that they want to treat me simultaneously). If I learn anything I will pass it on. At least you know that you are not alone - we know for certain that I have arthritis, they just can't pick between ankylosing spondylitis & RA. They can't rule out the ankylosing spondylitis because of my symptomology (in women it can prevent itself atypically), so maybe that has something to do with it. HTH, Lori [ ] stiffness question I've got a question for all of you who experience stiffness, particularly in your hands. My hands and fingers are frequently stiff and sometimes feel weak -- I have trouble opening packages, especially the kind where you have to grasp and tear, like a foil tuna pouch. I fumble and drop things a lot, too, because I can't seem to grab things as tightly as I need to. However, because don't have any visible swelling, my current rheumy (who I think is borderline incompetent for other reasons) doesn't seem to understand how I can have such stiffness without swelling. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 , I am not sure if I answered all of your questions, just ask me again. Sorry I am slow. I know what you mean, not trusting your Dr. I am from MI/OH. The weather makes a lot of difference. I was diagnosed RA in 1993. The frustration of just waxing my kitchen floor and dropping a pop bottle full on it. Thanks Sally --------------------------------- Need Mail bonding? Go to the Q & A for great tips from Answers users. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Thanks for responding, Lori! I'm glad to know it's not just me. :-) (Although I'm sorry you aren't well, of course -- it would be better if none of us needed this support group!) But since we do and since it's here, I'm glad that people like you are in it. Your symptoms sound very much like mine. I also take prednisone, plaquenil, NSAIDs, and MTX, as well as Neurontin, Vicodin, and 10 other prescriptions (gee, taking pills really gets old!) I think you're right -- some of these drugs are probably slowing it down a bit and keeping the swelling down. I'm guessing that it's something else in the joints besides swelling that makes them so stiff and hard to use. I've had to give up so many things I used to enjoy: sewing, embroidery, crafts, painting, etc. And I'm only 56 -- although I often feel closer to 86. Take care and keep me posted. I'll be interested in hearing another rheumatologist's opinion on the subject. > > Hello ! > I don't have a lot of swelling in my hands, but they are very often stiff, weak & I get the " dropsies " as well. My fingers tire easily (I have trouble cutting a bologna sandwich in half!) I often wonder why I hurt so bad without the massive swelling that it seems a lot of people have. I am on prednisone, NSAIDs, plaquenil & MTX (only 5 weeks, so I don't think this is doing anything yet) so maybe they are controlling it to a certain point??? It seems that the drugs that I'm on are slowing down the speed at which my various body parts are effected, but it seems little by little that I am collecting more and more pain (my arthritis started in my feet and went up from there). This is something I will be bringing up to both of my rheumatologists at my next appointments (my 1st one sent me for a 2nd opinion, and it ended up that they decided that they want to treat me simultaneously). If I learn anything I will pass it on. At least you know that you are not alone - we know for certain that I have arthritis, they just can't pick between ankylosing spondylitis & RA. They can't rule out the ankylosing spondylitis because of my symptomology (in women it can prevent itself atypically), so maybe that has something to do with it. > HTH, > Lori > > > > [ ] stiffness question > > > I've got a question for all of you who experience stiffness, > particularly in your hands. My hands and fingers are frequently stiff > and sometimes feel weak -- I have trouble opening packages, especially > the kind where you have to grasp and tear, like a foil tuna pouch. I > fumble and drop things a lot, too, because I can't seem to grab things > as tightly as I need to. However, because don't have any visible > swelling, my current rheumy (who I think is borderline incompetent for > other reasons) doesn't seem to understand how I can have such > stiffness without swelling. > > Anyone have any thoughts? > Thanks, > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Pris... this is kind of a hijack of the thread but still OT with it.. you say you have had RA for years and have no swelling anywhere.. I would like to know if you have any changes/damage in your joints inside? > > > > I have had RA for years, and have no swelling anywhere that is visible, > although I must have inflammation inside, because prednisone makes me a new > person!. > I too share the problems you have...I am VERY stiff in the morning. > Yet, all the docs say " You look so normal " ! > Is that good or bad, lol? > Pris > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Hi , I have to same problem I have trouble some days opening anything. I also do not have swelling but my RA doctor said with my background and family history I do have RA. I also have other autoimmune diseases. So yes you can have it without swelling and my RA is trying to keep it that way. I went to a specialist as soon as my fingers started hurting as well as a foot I had just bumped and thought it had to be broken. I have been very intuned to my body and have been the one that has pushed the doctors into finding what was wrong. With my thyroid I had to insist that they do a blood test for thyroid and Hashimoto's disease and it was there. You know your body better than anyone trust in what you feel. Marsha susan100250 <res0bh3k@...> wrote: I've got a question for all of you who experience stiffness, particularly in your hands. My hands and fingers are frequently stiff and sometimes feel weak -- I have trouble opening packages, especially the kind where you have to grasp and tear, like a foil tuna pouch. I fumble and drop things a lot, too, because I can't seem to grab things as tightly as I need to. However, because don't have any visible swelling, my current rheumy (who I think is borderline incompetent for other reasons) doesn't seem to understand how I can have such stiffness without swelling. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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