Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Hi Bob, I'm 54/female in good health. My RA started in the left ring finger...jumped to the left elbow and then took up permanent residence in the right hand. Very swollen and joints refused to bend. I did notice that if I ate " sugar " the swelling and pain were worse...but until the RA doc gave me a shot of steriods there was really nothing I did that made much difference...Sorry [] Hopefully someone else had more luck! Namaste'...Rhonda I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Rhonda, I love peanut M & M's and have a real craving for sugar about the same time my RA flared up :-( Bob [ ] Re: RA in hands/fingers > > Hi Bob, > > I'm 54/female in good health. My RA started in the left ring > finger...jumped to the left elbow and then took up permanent residence > in the right hand. Very swollen and joints refused to bend. I did > notice that if I ate " sugar " the swelling and pain were worse...but > until the RA doc gave me a shot of steriods there was really nothing I > did that made much difference...Sorry [] Hopefully someone else had > more luck! > > Namaste'...Rhonda > > I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being > effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need > to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. > > My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and > very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. > > Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. > > Bob > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Bob, those hot wax baths feel very good while the warmth lasts. After dipping your hand in the hot wax several times, you wrap it in Saran wrap and then put it in one of those big oven mitts. Sue On Monday, December 1, 2008, at 02:01 PM, Bob wrote: > I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being > effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need > to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. > > My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and > very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. > > Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 -Yes the cold definitely make things worse. Our high here in TN today was the upper 30's with a cold wind-I should have gotten out the gloves. I see where someone has already mentioned the parafin hand spa-they are wonderful. If that is not available any source of heat is good-heating pad, microwavable rice or flaxseed wraps or even just putting them in warm water. I have a small lap sized electric throw that I use year round be cause even air conditioning is sometimes is too cool. I also have one that plugs into the car that I use when traveling. If you are not taking any kind of NAISD that would help with the inflammation also. Also might try getting your appt. moved up. Hope you get relief soon. From: Bob <rhphillips@...> Subject: [ ] RA in hands/fingers Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 1:01 PM I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I have a question has anyone had trouble with their jaws from ra the last few days mine have been hurting and it runs down in my neck and makes it hurt too. [ ] RA in hands/fingers Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 1:01 PM I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Absolutely yes.....sorry have no words of advice...merely empathy neck, jaws, hands on and on....keep your sense of humor Raniolo From: Bob <rhphillips@zoominte rnet.net> Subject: [ ] RA in hands/fingers @gro ups.com Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 1:01 PM I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 In a message dated 12/1/2008 10:54:46 P.M. Central Standard Time, bengal9@... writes: I have a question has anyone had trouble with their jaws from ra the last few days mine have been hurting and it runs down in my neck and makes it hurt too.> Yes before I started treatment, I had pain in my left jaw and sometimes going down my neck. My treatment was to start on 25 mg of Prednisone a day, lowering it 5 mg every two weeks. After the first two weeks, we had my diagnosis of RA and I started on 6 Mtx pills, which was lowered to 4 because I felt too icky for too long. Now I'm on Remicade infusions and 4 Mtx. That pain hasn't come back. dd **************Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Bob and group; Hi Bob welcome to our humble group. This is my first winter dealing with RA. I have been dealing with FM (fibromyalgia) all my adult life. I am 55 years young. I never realized how bad the cold makes our pain feel. Wait its the second winter cause I remember my fingers hurting real bad last winter. I am so sorry your fingers are hurting like this. Don't over work them if you can. We need to move them according to what I have read. but not if you're in severe pain. Since you're seeing your RA doc for the first time she/he will have a lot of questions for you. Blood test and xrays I imagine. Or she/he willl want your old exrays. I had to go to the hospital and get all my exrays that was for my joints. Not a problem I sent my husband to get them lol. Be of good cheer, there has been a lot of studies on RA and FM in the last 30 years. Thirty years ago they said take asprin and call me in the morning. I am so glad they don't do that any more. There is a lot of drugs to try now. Hopefully if you have RA he/she will get agressive right away with you. One thing for sure is you got to let her/him know if something is not working. They only know if we let them know. I made the mistake by telling her I am doing ok. They won't know till you tell them it still hurts a lot. Good luck on your first RA visit. I hope it's just the change of weather for your hands. If not than your RA will have plenty of meds to try. God bless and take care. gentle hugs Clora ************************************************************* > I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being > effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need > to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. > > My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and > very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. > > Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. > > Bob > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Hi Bob - I find wrapping my hands in the heating pad works well. Some people like to put ice on their hands (to reduce swelling) It won't hurt to try either of these methods. Jen From: Bob <rhphillips@...> Subject: Re: [ ] Re: RA in hands/fingers Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 4:18 PM Rhonda, I love peanut M & M's and have a real craving for sugar about the same time my RA flared up :-( Bob [ ] Re: RA in hands/fingers > > Hi Bob, > > I'm 54/female in good health. My RA started in the left ring > finger...jumped to the left elbow and then took up permanent residence > in the right hand. Very swollen and joints refused to bend. I did > notice that if I ate " sugar " the swelling and pain were worse...but > until the RA doc gave me a shot of steriods there was really nothing I > did that made much difference.. .Sorry [] Hopefully someone else had > more luck! > > Namaste'...Rhonda > > I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being > effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need > to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. > > My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and > very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. > > Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. > > Bob > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Hi Bob I am sorry your hands are hurting. My main RA problem is my hands as well. Once you see your Rhu he/she should be able to to give you something to help. I agree with what all has been said. Heat is the best thing. If you can stomach anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprophen- (Advil) or naproxin (Alieve) that may help you until you get in to the Dr. Most nail salons have the Pariffin wax. The one I used to go to get my nails done, had a lot of men and women that come in for the treatment. You can buy one for around $40.00 or so @ Walmart. Hope you get some relief soon. Be sure to let us know what the Dr says. Welcome to the group. Heidibug On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 2:01 PM, Bob <rhphillips@...> wrote: > I'm a 66 old male in good health, but my hands and fingers are being > effected by RA and the pain and stiffness is to the point where I need > to see a doctor. I have a appointment in Jan with RA Doc. > > My worst is the first finger on my left hand, very hard to bend and > very pain full to do so. The cold makes it worse. > > Any opinions on what works will be appreciated. > > Bob > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Paraffin wax treatments work. I got my paraffin wax heater at walmart for about $20. Just dip about 5 times, hurriedly wrap in the plastic gloves and lay them in towels. Not only do they help with stiffness, but they help make your hands softer too. Also, just sitting with your hands in hot water should help too. I also have finger exercises from my pt/ot, but it would be best to have a physical/occupational therapist show those to you. Good luck!! Autumn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Did it snow in your part of TN? I have a grandson in City, and they had snow yesterday. He was here for a visit, and today we took him to Wyethville, where his step-dad comes to pick him up. He said the snow had all melted, but I did see some still on the mountains. Sue On Monday, December 1, 2008, at 08:26 PM, Boyd wrote: > -Yes the cold definitely make things worse. Our high here in TN today > was the upper 30's with a cold wind-I should have gotten out the > gloves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Hi Bob: Hope you are feeling better by now. My physical therapist treats my hands to a warm paraffin wax bath then wraps both of them in towels so the heat penetrates. You could take NSAID's if you tolerate them (Advil Motrin, etc) until you get to see your Dr. Claribel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.