Hot Water hurts my hands

dawnf43

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with OA in my ankle about 18 months ago, then in my feet 12 months ago. In February I started getting pain in my hands. I mentioned this to my ortho specialist and he ordered lists of blood tests and referred me to a Rheumatologist. I saw the Rheumatologist this week and he says it's just OA in my hands too. So it's back to the GP for pain relief.

My question to anyone out there is, does hot water cause pain for anyone else? I can't wash up because it's too painful and I've had to start wearing rubber gloves in the shower!!

Like others I seen posting on here I feel frustrated by the apathy from doctors and specialists. The Rheumatologist didn't want to know as soon as it was OA!!

Hope someone can suggest something for the pain in my hands.

Thanks

Dawn

stickywicket

Hello and welcome to the forum, Dawn. I'm sorry you're feeling so abandoned. It's not that the rheumatologist 'didn't want to know as soon as it was OA!!' it's just that rheumatologists deal with auto-immune forms of arthritis. They have no more expertise on OA than, say, a gynaecologist. GPs are the ones who deal with it though self-help plays a big part – exercising to keep the muscles strong, keeping to a decent weight so as not to overload painful joints, learning to pace oneself and rest when necessary and also learning techniques for coping with pain.

I have had RA in my hands for 53 years and OA too for very many. I've never found hot water a problem though. On the contrary, it can be very soothing. I suggest you go back to your GP. Not all pain is connected with arthritis. This might be something different. Please let us know how you get on.

dawnf43

Thanks for your reply StickyWicket.

I have mentioned my problem with hot water to both my GP and the rheumatoligist and neither of them thought it was of any concern or needed any further investigation. I just wondered if anyone else had the same thing or whether I'm just 'odd'.

I've seen my GP this morning and he's signed me off sick for 2 months as my job involves lots of walking, which I just can't do at the moment. So now it's time to ring the DWP about claiming ESA as I'm self employed.

Wish me luck!!

barbara12

Hello Dawn and welcome
I have OA in my thumbs and wrist, but I must say I find it soothing to put them in hot water, just because your blood test were fine doesn't mean there is nothing else going on there..you can always ask for a second opinion, I have spent 4 years with OA now after seeing a rheumy they think there is something else going on, it does depend on how thorough they are.

dawnf43

Thanks to everyone for the kid words. I will mention it again to my GP and see where we can go from there. Meanwhile, I'll keep going with the rubber gloves in the shower!

Dawn

elnafinn

Hi Dawn

Do you have raynauds? Just a thought.

Elna

dawnf43

I wasn't sure what Raynards was so I did a quick Google search. Looking at the symptoms I don't think I have. I do suffer from Carpel Tunnel quite regularly but my hands never go white, let alone blue
Thank you for the suggestion though. It's lovely that so many people on here take the time to read and reply to the questions. It's so nice to find a place where everyone is friendly and caring.