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Denny66
Denny66 Member Posts: 3
edited 10. Jul 2025, 15:19 in Living with Arthritis archive

Hi everyone. My first post on here so forgive any errors!! I believe I have arthritis, but not sure which type.. I've got lots of pain in my hands mostly. Some of my knuckles are swollen and have spent 40 years as typist, knitter, and crotchet so I'm not to surprised. I have been trying to get into my gp for 3 weeks to show them but cannot get in. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to diagnose what I have?

PS: I also have Multiple Sclerosis, and am on painkillers for various problems, but I don't want to be using more Codeine ..

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  • chrisb
    chrisb Moderator Posts: 796

    Hi @Denny66 and welcome to the versus arthritis forum.

    You suspect that you have arthritis in your hands but have not been able to get this confirmed by your Doctor due to difficultly obtaining an appointment.

    From the description of your symptoms it may well be that your assessment is correct. The following link to our website may help you confirm your suspicions:

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

    Also, here’s a link to some exercises for your hands which you might find useful:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-fingers-hands-and-wrists/


    I hope that you receive some valuable feedback from joining the forum and that you are able to see your Doctor very soon.

    Best Wishes

    ChrisB (Moderator)

    Need more help - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    The exercises that Mod ChrisB gave should help but you do really need to see someone. All GP surgeries seem to have different procedures. With mine you ring in at 8am and the receptionist will decide what to do with you. (No, they're good. Never a problem.) Sometimes it's a telephone appointment with a GP and sometimes with a nurse. Sometimes the nurse will want to see you and, if so, she can refer you to a doc when you come in if necessary.

    It would be a good idea for you to take photos of swollen joints to show someone.

    Whatever your system, I really wouldn't hold out on seeing a specific GP. Personally, I find our nurse practitioners great anyway. The main thing is to get a toe in the door so to speak.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Denny66
    Denny66 Member Posts: 3

    Thank you so much Chris B and Stickywicket. I have had a go at the exercises and will definitely do them daily. Thanks too for the recommendation to continue trying to see gp.

    Your comments have truly turned my attitude from being so gloomy to being encouraged to pursue this in a different way. Early days, but Many thanks.

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