Hello

Sheila1946

Hi Everyone, just joined and hope someone can suggest how to cope with the pain in my hands

PeterJ

Hello @Sheila1946 and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have pain in your hands, something I can relate to as it affects me as well. Our website has a lot of useful information and a good search and I would suggest having a look around it. To help I've put a couple of relevant links below;

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-hand-and-wrist/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/hand-and-wrist-pain/

For myself, I try to do hand exercises and also have painkillers and anti-inflammatory meds for the bad times. I am scheduled to go and see a physio in January as a friend of a friend referred me to them, so I will see if that helps.

Please do keep posting and let us know how you get on and whether exercise and meds help you. I am sure that others will connect with you to share their experiences as well.

With very best wishes

Peter (moderator)

LizB12

Hi@Sheila1946 You haven’t said which part of your hands have pain but to start with, have a look at the new stretch exercises on the website which include ones for hands and wrists. Those might ease the pain.

Loggiemod

I have arthritis in my thumbs mostly, but also beginning in my other hand joints as well. A couple of years ago I went to take part in a research project at the local hospital. Unfortunately I wasn't suitable as both joints in my left thumb were arthritic and the trial was to look at the effects on only one of them. Still it was useful as they showed me some stretching exercises with a strong rubber band to do which helps. Until recently my pain was only in my left hand so it didn't affect work etc because I am right handed, then it started in my right hand as well.

LizB12

Hi @Loggiemod That’s interesting. I have arthritis I think in my right thumb joint, made worse by holding my phone! (I am left-handed). It looks out of shape and can be very painful. I shall try the rubber band exercise thanks. The stress cube might help too. My finger joints are also developing.

Arthuritis

@LizB12 Funny you should say that, I (used to) support my smart phone with my right index finger pointing up, and it was the first to show excruciating pain, ultrasound showed the tendon sheath inflamed. My RF is 115 & ACCP 500+, ie off the upper limit☹️

Arthuritis

@Sheila1946 I get painful hands in the mornings and it gets better as the day wears on (there is some research that shows inflammatory activity peaks at night). I try to get a couple of cups of water in me before bed, seems to take the edge off. I also have mysterious fingertip pain, not figured that out.

I have also had my first night on an oral steroid, seems to help but it will take a few days to be sure whether it helps or am I imagining it.

Which meds are you on?

LizB12

Hi @Arthuritis when I hold my phone my thumb sticks up so that is consistent with your idea. I am trying to rest it and will take the Versus Arthritis advice of iceing it as well as using aloe vera gel which is cooling

Arthuritis

@LizB12 Yes, I use frozen gel (-22C) pouches in a cotton arm band positioned on my elbows at night and it works a treat in slowing down the attack of the marauding rogue T cells that happens each night. I think the cold constricts the blood vessels and slows down the attack.

My Rheumy thinks ultrasound guided steroid injection in my hand and elbow might help.