Soft, squashy areas?

jackie1955

Hi folks,
The little joints on my fingers started to get bigger (but not noticeable to joe public) last winter. I think its hereditary as my older sister has the same thing. But my question is not about that kind of swelling........

Its the squishy-squashy sort that makes my fingers look like sausages I'm wondering about? Because now as well as my fingers I seem to have it in my knees, then my wrists and now my elbows too? Can't properly straighten my left arm today And where this is happening the joints just don't want to bend.
Are they permanent? Will they sometimes go away depending on if your having a flare? Is it some kind of fluid? Can it affect your neck/throat - will I be able to breathe if my neck swells :shock:

Do these swellings and the joint pain and stiffness, hopefully ease once medication is started? (I ask hopefully :!: )

joanlawson

Hi Jacky
You don't say whether you have been to the doctor about your queries. It sounds as though you are getting fluid collecting on your joints, so I think you should ask the doctor about it. If it is difficult to straighten your arm, you need to know what is causing it. Then you can get some treatment to help you.
All the best
Joan

lindalegs

Hi Jackie,

I agree with Joan and you need to see your GP, if you haven't done so already. I, also think it's fluid which should go away once your arthritis is under control.

...........I don't think your neck should swell and stop you breathing - if that were a possibility one or two of us would be dead by now :shock: :shock:

Luv Legs

melbland

Hiya

I get soft squishy areas. They affect my hands, feet, ankles, knees.

Well that's what I've noticed so far anyway

I think it's all to do with the swelling in joints. Mine have been there since I started having problems in those areas, but they vary day to day depending on the pain etc in each joint. I feel that it does make the area more painful to move and certainly stiffer. Each of these areas has decreased in part since I started my NSAIDs so I believe it is inflammation based...

Unfortunately other than that I can't help, sorry!

If you are worried, speak with your GP.

Mel

jackie1955

Thanks for replies; when I saw my rheumy last week some of this squashy swelling was visible to him. And he did say I had some inflammation; but I never thought to ask if this sympton would be temporary or permanent at the time :!:

Anyway, I think my body has answered the question itself, as last couple of days my right wrist bone practically disappeared under this swelling, and was very painful if I accidentally knocked it - but this morning it was loads better, I could actually see some of the bone again
A friend has said maybe since I increased my Diclofenac to 2 per day its now starting to ease the inflammation a bit?

Jackie x

melbland

I think it may have done.

However, the problem is if you have inflammatory arthritis, you may always have some swelling and this can vary.

If I go through a "flare", everything swells and these areas are very painful to the touch.

Unfortunately I therefore feel it is something else to thank Arthur for

Mel