Waking with pain!

Julie67

many of my joints seem to flair in the morning on first waking. Especially at the moment in my hands and feet. Any ideas how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. I’ve only recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and it’s getting me down affecting all the things I love doing. 😢

helpline_team

Hi @Julie67

Thanks for posting on the Helpline Online Community. Sorry to hear you are experiencing pain flaring up in your hands and feet from osteoarthritis, particularly in the morning, and the affect this is having on you.

This can be a common symptom in the morning before you get your joints moving. You can ease pain with simple measures like using thermotherapy - heat from warm water, using hot water bottles, microwavable wheat-bags etc. to ease achy joints and help to start some movements and stretches that should also ease the pain and stiffness. If you have swollen hands and feet then you could use ice packs, cold pads or pack of frozen vegetables wrapped in a damp cloth to reduce joint swelling. When applying ice packs to your skin, make sure you don’t put them on your bare skin, and never leave them on for longer than 20 minutes.

If you haven't already tried creams and gels containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, ask your doctor or pharmacist if these would be safe for you to use. The drug is absorbed through the skin by rubbing the cream or gel into the affected areas. Be careful to check the dosage if you are also taking oral NSAIDs so you don't overdose. If simple painkillers like paracetamol and NSAIDs are not helping, you could talk to your doctor about other forms of pain relief suitable for you to try.

We have lots of information on our website that may be useful to you relating to osteoarthritis in the feet and hands which includes other tips for managing pain, some exercises and stretches, and therapies that may be helpful such as physiotherapy and hand therapy - you could ask your doctor for a referral to these services.

Arthritis can take its toll emotionally. We have some very good resources regarding looking after your emotional wellbeing on our website, but do also talk to your doctor about how it's affecting you. Perhaps you could reach out to more people on the Online Community by reposting within the living with arthritis discussion area for hopefully more responses and support from other people leaving with arthritis.

I hope you find this helpful:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-foot-and-ankle/

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

Best wishes,
Helen, Helpline Advisor

Moira

Hi,

I know how you feel. My physio gave me some simple exercises to get me moving. Also check with your GP?Specialist as it could be the result of something else happening.

I use an electric blanket which I find helps (although don't leave it on overnight).

Do look in the VA website as there are loads of helpful hints there.

If you ever find out where you can buy a new skeleton - not too expensive - please let me know!!

Try and keep moving, even a wee bit. Good luck.

helpline_team

Hi @Moira & @Julie67

Thanks for your posts and here's some more information about the day-to-day self-management that can be so important to support managing Osteoarthritis (OA). You will find a lot of information about how to keep moving and hopefully it will answer the questions that may come up as you try to maintain or build muscular strength or flexibility.

Exercising with arthritis | Top tips, specific exercises

And if you find it helpful to see videos of people doing their exercises, you might want to look at Versus Arthritis on YouTube.

And another foundation of self-managing arthritis is to do with healthy eating and keeping bodyweight under good control.

Eating well with arthritis | healthy eating for people with arthritis

If you are would like any support to do with managing arthritis, do come back to us and I'm sure people here will also have ideas. If you are feeling down about things, there are always things that can be helpful, and it's only human to acknowledge any moments of frustration.

I hope that's helpful.

Guy - Helpline Team