pain in my hand and wrists

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flo1175
flo1175 Member Posts: 11
edited 16. Jan 2009, 10:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
I am 43 yo and I am surfering with arthritis for now 5 years in my back, neck and shoulders. (comes after an histerectomy for cervical cancer)
I am not taking any drugs ever as I have a very fragile stomac from birth.
For few weeks I am surfering with my thumb and first finger articulations. Its sore but not red and not swollen. Is that can be arthriris?
What can I do to stop it getting worse without drugs or Doctors as it become too complicate to get an appointment with a specialist and anyway everytime I saw one as I refused drugs they said that they can do nothing for me as I refused treatments.
any tips will be welcome
Merry Christmas to you all.
Flo

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  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    flo1175 wrote:
    I am 43 yo and I am surfering with arthritis for now 5 years in my back, neck and shoulders. (comes after an histerectomy for cervical cancer)
    I am not taking any drugs ever as I have a very fragile stomac from birth.
    For few weeks I am surfering with my thumb and first finger articulations. Its sore but not red and not swollen. Is that can be arthriris?
    What can I do to stop it getting worse without drugs or Doctors as it become too complicate to get an appointment with a specialist and anyway everytime I saw one as I refused drugs they said that they can do nothing for me as I refused treatments.
    any tips will be welcome
    Merry Christmas to you all.
    Flo

    Hi Flo, sorry to hear your not so good, its a bit of a catch 22 I had a simula problem with drugs and tummy still do but i am on the medication because i could no longer cope with the pain from the RA and PA. I tried all sorts of herbal stuff vit tablets and anything i could get hold of even tried diets. Many people claim to be able to cure arthritis if you just send a cheque for x amount. It does not work and i have not met any person who can say it does. I think you need more talks with the Rheumy, as far as i am aware there is no cure they can only slow it down and if you dont try to slow it down it will just get worse as you get older. Sorry for being so blunt but old arthur can be so bad if you dont get on top of it. There are other drugs you can use for the tummy when your on arthritis drugs i know its not the ideal situation but talk to your Rheumy.
    Take Care
    Colin
  • flo1175
    flo1175 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    colinone wrote:
    flo1175 wrote:
    I am 43 yo and I am surfering with arthritis for now 5 years in my back, neck and shoulders. (comes after an histerectomy for cervical cancer)
    I am not taking any drugs ever as I have a very fragile stomac from birth.
    For few weeks I am surfering with my thumb and first finger articulations. Its sore but not red and not swollen. Is that can be arthriris?
    What can I do to stop it getting worse without drugs or Doctors as it become too complicate to get an appointment with a specialist and anyway everytime I saw one as I refused drugs they said that they can do nothing for me as I refused treatments.
    any tips will be welcome
    Merry Christmas to you all.
    Flo

    Hi Flo, sorry to hear your not so good, its a bit of a catch 22 I had a simula problem with drugs and tummy still do but i am on the medication because i could no longer cope with the pain from the RA and PA. I tried all sorts of herbal stuff vit tablets and anything i could get hold of even tried diets. Many people claim to be able to cure arthritis if you just send a cheque for x amount. It does not work and i have not met any person who can say it does. I think you need more talks with the Rheumy, as far as i am aware there is no cure they can only slow it down and if you dont try to slow it down it will just get worse as you get older. Sorry for being so blunt but old arthur can be so bad if you dont get on top of it. There are other drugs you can use for the tummy when your on arthritis drugs i know its not the ideal situation but talk to your Rheumy.
    Take Care
    Colin

    Hi Colin
    Thanks a lot for your reply but I don't agree with you I don't think drugs are the answer to everything.
    Drugs are given far too easely by the doctors for one reason wich is far away from taking care of you they take care of themselves first as they cash commission with every drugs they put you on and longer you take them better it is.
    If I had taking drugs everytime a Dr wanted me too Ill be dead by now.
    There is always a natural answer wich is first an healthy lifestyle and good diet and natural remedies.
    Drugs are poisonning your blood and in a long run they make your immune system weak as you are always full of chemicals in your body.
    Have a happy merry xmas
    flo
  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hello Flo,
    I'm sorry to say to you, I don't think you are right at all about drugs. I would love it if I only had to live a 'healthy lifestyle' to be ok but life ain't like that, it's a b**ch sometimes! There are many, many people on here, including myself who have tried everything going i.e. diets, homeopathic remedies, tens machines and acupuncture-you name it, we've tried it!! I'm afraid to say that sometimes drugs do work-it's unfortunate that there is no 'wonder cure' for arthritis but we are all so much in pain that we are prepared to try out different drugs in order to get at least some normality back into our life. For 7yrs now I haven't been on anti-inflammatories ( I have problems with stomach too ) and eventually I've had enough, I've now asked for anti-inflams and I'm prepared to have stomach problems cos I can't bear the joint pain anymore. We are just determined to get a better quality of life! Feel free to comment,
    Magenta
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Flo

    I agree with the others. Sometimes taking medication is the only way to get on with one's life.

    I was on 8 strong painkillers a day before my Total Knee Replacement. Now I am free of them but was I appreciative of the meds whilst in immense pain.

    We all try alternatives to start off with but if they do not work then to get quality of life we need the help of drugs. Also with some forms of arthritis, the drugs prevent the condition getting progressively worse.

    If you are diagnosed with trigger thumb/finger then a minor op under local anaesthetic sorts that out. I have had that done on both my thumbs. Before the ops I had a couple of steroid injections in both thumbs but that only sorted the problem for around 6 months at a time. Now my thumbs are pain free.

    Here's hoping you are having a peaceful christmas.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Flo
    Poor you!
    I too can't tolerate some meds because of stomach!!!, but I have been prescribed a cox-2 inhibitor for when I am in agony and swollen. This I am prpared to take even though it's not so brilliant for your heart. My parents both died of heart problems.
    i also take dmards and amitriptyline.
    Elnas trigger thumb/finger does sound feasible too and as she says there is treatment available.
    I guess it's back to the drs for you :(
    I do hope you have a good and pain free as possible christmas
    Take care
    toni xx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,393
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Flo,

    You've stirred a hornet's nest here I'm afraid! :roll: If you want to avoid the tablet taking route because of your stomach I agree with Kath and think the icepack and heat packs may help you out. After using either of these do some gentle movements of the joint of help to get rid of any swellings around it/them. From what I understood when I first contracted RA it's the erosive fluid and inflammation that causes the damage in arthritis and if we can reduce this when the pain first appears then there is less chance of damaging the joint. After a period of time the fluid gels more and is harder to get rid of. Modern thinking may have changed it's views on this now because I am going back a few years. Another thing to consider is steroid injections straight into the painful joint and then your stomach won't be involved as the drug remains localised.

    I am with the others on the taking of pills/ painkillers and Dmards by injection I'll have anything going as long as I am as painfree as possible. I've also been down the cod liver oil, brazil nut, black strapp molasses, acid-free diet etc. route and none have worked for me - that doesn't mean to say they won't work for you - anything's worth a try.

    I would even chance to say to you that you probably haven't been through the flare-ups that we've experienced, I don't know. Everyone experience pain in different ways and all our tolerances are at all sorts of levels - maybe you're able to tolerate more pain than us.

    Anyway it's Christmas day, turkey's cooking and I'm off now to take a couple of paracetamol with a glass of nice red wine. :shock: Hic :wink:

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I'm sorry, but I think sometimes medication is the only answer. I have had problems with anti inflamitory drugs in the past, but their are some pain killers that I can take and they really work! Most doctors will only give drugs that they think will be affective for a condition. Try and find a GP you can talk to and trust to
    work with him/her to find the best form of pain relief and treatment for you. You may find that he will recommend physio, who have a non drug bag of tricks. Sometimes though drugs may be needed to kickstart treatment. I agree about hot and cold packs helping, as the others have said. Hope you feel better soon. Sue.
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi,
    I take Omeprazole, which, I think, lines the stomach and protects the esophagus from the effects of NSAIDS etc. Brilliant, after years of problems I can enjoy a biyriani curry, doesn't help with the spelling though!

    Only problem is that its 'another' drug to take, best taken first thing in morning, for me at least.


    8) Its a grin, honest!
    M
  • scorpiojackie
    scorpiojackie Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi,

    Just wanted to add that sometimes (for me anyway ;) ) that we just have to 'ride through' any unwelcome side effects for a period of time and then they seem to settle down. Sometimes I think people may give up on a 'suggested' drug too soon.

    Examples: Diclofenac, when I use to take this drug occassionally in the past, I could only manage to take it for two days... the third day produced an upset tummy. When my pains/conditions changed & increased 2yrs ago, I needed to take diclofenac permanently, twice a day. After about a week of upset tum, it settled and I have never had a problem since. I do take Lansoprazole first thing every morning for stomach protection.

    Tramadol & Gabapentin... also when first taking these drugs I was so very tired & didnt feel like myself. But again within about a fortnight my body adjusted. I would not like to manage without these drugs as they enable me to have a more active role in my life.

    Do I worry sometimes that these & the other medications I take, may harm me?.... Of course I do.

    But I do not want to spend my time being in so much pain that I cant think. Being 'locked' and unable to move, except when Im in spasms either... which would be the result if I didnt take my combination of meds.

    We all have to make and accept the consequences of our choices through life. I like others have tried more natural ways first, but sometimes its just not enough.
    After all when we have a tooth pulled at the dentist, we know its going to be painful... we dont go 'natural' then!

    Hope you feel better soon, whatever you choose. :)

    Jackie
  • mash65
    mash65 Bots Posts: 834
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    i'd like to add to this. my medication is not working as i wish .the pain is breaking through big time. im not sleeping properly,eating properly or even thinking properly.though im on 15mg morphine patches,cocdomol 30/500mg,ibru,antisickness tabs,amiptrip(sleeping tabs) constipation relief tabs.nothing is working.But OMG if i werent medicated i woundnt be able to survive this excucating pain.muscle spasms that send u into the air,pain that limits ur life to the sofa,no house work,not even 1/2 hrs sleep,without the meds.better with meds than without.& iv tried most before i gave in to meds. debs happy new yr all.xx
  • rubyrude
    rubyrude Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Flo
    I have pa and have only recently got diagnosed and given Methotrexate. This was a hard decision but I freely admit I am vain and I already have some disfigurement of my toes and i wanted to be in less pain and not get damaged hands. My sister has the same condition and has come off all the drugs and touch wood is fine just using management such as relaxation, diet and excersise she also has reduced stress. I do think however when she has a flare up she will think differently and will want the drugs again.

    But its all about choice really, good luck
  • renard99
    renard99 Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    flo1175 wrote:
    everytime I saw one as I refused drugs they said that they can do nothing for me as I refused treatments.

    Flo

    Unfortunately they probably refused to treat you because by refusing drugs you refused the only option they really have to treat you with.

    I'm not a fan of massive amounts of drugs but the difference between being on drugs and not being on drugs is being able to walk or not being able to walk and that sways it for me!
  • salsal
    salsal Member Posts: 49
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    sorry thought i had posted in december i find a lot of relief from my splints and gloves from ot if they wont refer you just get some adhesive bandages and bandage your arms and wrists for support, wheat bags hot or cold may help, deep heat type creams. it may be worth trying some medication they can give you something to counteract the side effects after a bit of trial and error. i refused meds for ages but once i took something celebrex i think i ran around like juli andrews in the sound of music i felt so good people thought id gone high! it didnt last but somethings always improved me like humira at the moment and mxt
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