Does anyone have arthritis ?

Question

I have began to get very bad pain in the joints in my hand (mainly right). I am right handed. It affects my thumb and third finger in particular. If these joints are knocked I almost pass out with pain. I really have to stop and take deep breaths. I find it difficult to walk down the stairs sometimes and can get "fixed" if sitting too long ie have trouble in walking for a bit. If I get cold the pain is unbearable. Sometimes my hips ache too. I get tired easily and am a little depressed. I am 36 and a Primary teacher so the paper work is incredible.

Answer 1

The type of pain you describe could certainly be arthritic, and repetitive work of any nature will aggrevate it.
My mum has arthtitis quite severely and I have a very mild onset (thankfully) in my thumbs and hips.
We have both learnt from bitter experience that you can't beat it - the sooner yo accept that the sooner you can start to tailor your life to accomplish the maximum possible at any given time.
During flare-ups, this will be very little - my mum can't even lift a kettle to make a cup of tea at her worst times - but at others, life can seem pretty normal.

The key id to try and prevent the flare ups - if you have repetative work, do it in short bursts, takes plenty of pain killers - the maximum dose advised on the packet to prevent an attack, and minimise the pain during an attack.

Don't try to be superwoman/man. Admit your limitations, and maintain your pride by asking for help with heavy, strenuous jobs rather than trying yourself and tuening yourself into a dependent invalid when the pain becomes excrutiating.

Splinting your wrists may help with repetitive work. We use sport supports rather than those ghastly orthapaedic things that make you look and feel handicapped! The support gives your thumbs and wrists a strength during the weaker moments.

Mum also uses a rubber grip to open jars, and there are other aids - in GB we have a company called Betterware which is a home delivery catalogue - health aids is a small part of their range and therefore there is no stigma attached to ordering! They have some great gadgets.

You do need to see your GP and ask for a referral to a rheumatologist as there are so many different pain killers now. You can also be reffered to a pain clinic. They are the experts - they see pain day in day out.

Unfortunately, arthritis is not curable yet, but the symptoms can be lessened greatly with preventative action and the right pain killers.

There are other illnesses which can cause arthritic symptoms Fybromyalgia, ME, Severe allergic reaction, post viral illnesses, Guillam Barre syndrome are just a few, so you really do need to see your Gp and have a few xrays and blood tests to get the best treatment. Of course, depression can cause a whole range of very real physical symptoms on its own - go see yiur GP and if he/she is not sympathetic - change GP!!
Every best wish!

Answer 2

You need to see a doctor of rheumatology as soon as possible. There are medicines the doctor can give you that will help take down the inflammation in your joints.

For now Take a hot bath with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts. Soak for 30 minutes. The Epsom salts will help relieve some of your pain.

Massage an analgesic cream into the sore joints.

Dehydration can cause severe pain in your body . I recommend you drink purified water mixed with Mineral Water 50/50. This will replace the minerals that are exiting your body continuously. You must drink beyond your thirst to get the benefits of hydration and the real key is the Mineral Water.

I suggest that adults and children drink 40 ounces of water per 100 pounds of body weight every day. Realize that exercise, ambient temperature, and state of health affect the water needs of your body.

500mg of calcium and magnesium, taken twice daily, can help with diminishing the pain.

Advil liqui capsules work very quickly on pain. Take them four times daily.

Answer 3

It sounds as though you have the onset of arthritis. I definitely recommend that you go to your GP and ask for a rheumatology blood test. This measures the amount of inflammation in your blood and will determine what type of arthritis that you'll have. I had mine diagnosed last September after suffering for five years of agony. I found that I had three types of arthritis, Rheumatoid, Osteo and Psoriatic. Now I take six Sulphasalazine daily and strong painkillers (Tramadol, paracetamol) daily.

Answer 4

take Glucosamine tablets. Both my boyfriend and I have arthritis in our knees, and it works wonders. If I stop taking it my arthritis starts playing up but goes when I start taking it again. It takes about 3 months before you notice a difference though. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

It does sound like early arthritis (my mum suffers with it from head to toe). Go and see your GP for a proper diagnosis though. There are anti inflammatory drugs that can help.

Answer 6

I have exactly the same symptoms as you and am prescribed a drug called DICLOFENAC which is an anti-inflammatory. It works wonders for me, but for some people it can upset the stomach.
It is worth asking your doctor about it I would have thought.

Answer 7

I had it in my right hand and went to Gobowin hospital and they gave me an injection in my joint. I t seems to have worked for now but it is not perminant.

Answer 8

i'v had it for five years now, and it does get bad...doctors got me on steriods and oramorthe now too calm it down, and i have too go on a life time medication too, i know how you feel and what your going through......