Early signs of arthritis in hands and feet.

[JDQuinn75]

ello , I'm a 39 year old man . I've been experiencing aching in the joints of my hands as well as discomfort everyday . I also am having discomfort in my feet. My hands are showing signs of redness everyday but not real red. Should I go on and see a rheumatologist Or should I wait til the discomfort gets to the point that I can't stand it anymore. My feet feel worse than the hands right now. I haven't been diagnosed or told why type of arthritis it it. I'm guessing it RA from the symptoms I'm having.

[arthritis_action Partner]

Hi JDQuinn15,

I'm sorry to hear your experiencing discomfort. I would definitely recommend going to see your GP as soon as you can as they will be able to give you the relevant tests to see if it is in fact a form of arthritis. Here is a link to our website where you can read about the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis:

arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

Should your doctor diagnose you with arthritis, you may wish to look at our self management pages or consider becoming a member of Arthritis Action.

Best wishes,

Georgia

Membership Administrator

[JDQuinn75 in reply to arthritis_action]

I've been to my family doctor already. He's wanting me to go to a rheumatologist. He's tested me twice for the rheumatoid factor and both time it came back negative. I'm already showing signs of redness on the top of both of my hands. Some days are worse than others. Plus I've seem redness on top of the joints of my fingers as well. As far as my feet go I do have discomfort on the top of both of them and the bottom as well. I also feel it through my toes too. Some days I can't bend them because they hurt to bad. RA runs on both sides of my family, so I'm guessing that is the type of arthritis that it is. I am starting to get discomfort in other parts of my body as well. I have felt discomfort also in my shoulders and knees both. The past week or so I've felt it more there as well. I haven't been diagnosed to know what type of arthritis it is. I just know that it's starting to get more noticeable as months go by.

[arthritis_action Partner in reply to JDQuinn75]

Hi JDQuinn15,

If your doctor has suggested you see a rheumatologist then I would also suggest you do so. Why wait for things to get worse, sometimes it is worth biting the bullet as hopefully they can suggest ways to improve your situation. If you haven't already, you could ask your doctor for an MRI scan if you want more clarity.

Should you want to try to self-manage your arthritis, we would recommend looking at your diet, exercise regime and that you try physical therapies. Our members are entitled to 4 subsidised physical therapies a year and unlimited access to our dietitian. You will also be able to attend our self-management events and join a support group.

Best wishes,

Georgia

Membership Administrator

[Iluvgardening in reply to JDQuinn75]

It may not be RA, it may be psoriatic arthritis, the RA factor will be negative. I was tested several times and it was finally I was diagnosed and could start treatment. Early detection is best. Don't wait! It can take awhile to get in to see a rheumatologist.

[JDQuinn75 in reply to Iluvgardening]

Iluvgardening, since I posted this four years ago mine has gotten worse. I went to a rheumatologist in 2015z I was told it was osteoarthritis that I have. As the post said it was just my hands and feet. But now it’s in my spine , knees , hip and shoulders. I’ve had some days that it takes all that I have to just move around now that it’s in my spine. My gp isn’t doing what I need him to. I’m thinking I probably need to go back to a rheumatologist for further evaluation now that it’s spread in my body.

[Iluvgardening in reply to JDQuinn75]

Yes I agree! I would make an appointment as soon as possible, so you can get on meds to help stop bone deterioration. I have had to have an fusion in my back, knee replacement and another knee replacement coming up in July. I hope you find answers and you can get some meds to get you moving . Prayers you find answers soon and relief.

[JDQuinn75 in reply to Iluvgardening]

I’ve found that very few kinds of shoes are comfortable for me other than my moccasins. That’s why I drive to work in them everyday then change out of them when I have to. As far as my back goes I’m feeling that more and more now all now my spine now. From my neck to the lumbar area.

[Iluvgardening in reply to JDQuinn75]

I find that the Sketchers or Clark shoes are the most comfortable, they are a little pricey though, but worth it😊

[JDQuinn75 in reply to Iluvgardening]

I use the Skechers as well. But still I can get uncomfortable. At the me I can.

[sandylo in reply to JDQuinn75]

Ive worn mules for years even in the winter as cant wear a full shoe

[JDQuinn75]

Thanks Georgia for your tips and advice. I've had my Co workers tell me that I need to go to the rehumatoligist. One of them has,actually fussed at me about going. I wasn't expecting on having to deal with this at the age of 39, I'll be 40 in September. Nabumetone is what my family doctor put me on for the discomfort with my hands and feet to help ease pain I'm experiencing. I work on a parking lot every and by the end of the day my feet are just hurting. It seems to be my worst enemy right now for the discomfort in my feet. I try to stay off them as much as I can when I home so they don't get aggravated do to standing on them to long. I drive a stick shift 6 speed wrangler, some mornings I find it hard to grp it to shift gears . I do have one question though. If my arthritis is RA how long does it usually take to get to the point that I can't tolerate it. Or does it actually vary depending on the person that's getting signs of it? Thanks Jason

[arthritis_action Partner in reply to JDQuinn75]

Hi Jason,

I think you hit the nail on the head, pain is completely subjective and what is too much for someone else might be bearable for you. If you have any concerns speak to your GP or rheumatologist and make sure you take some time for yourself.

Best wishes,

Georgia

Membership Administrator

[shelly1968 in reply to JDQuinn75]

I was 27 when mine started

[JDQuinn75 in reply to shelly1968]

Mine started in 2013 . I was 37 at the time. Just a couple of months before I turned 38. I started getting signs of it in my hands then later on it started in my feet. It was until this year that I was getting signs of it in my shoulders , knees and elbows. Some days I feel it in my lower back and hips as well. I was told last month that it is osteoarthritis that I have. What my rehumatoligist put me on to ease the pain hasn't help to ease my discomfort. I had someone else tell me to get wheat bags with the lavender scent to help it. They told me that it really helps them alot for there feet , shoulders and hands. J. Quinn

[cherryfied]

I would definitely support a trip to the rheumatologist. No one should have to wait until the pain becomes intolerable - what do you have to lose? If it is something like RA then early diagnosis and support can be really helpful so it's worth getting checked. Either way diet, exercise and physical therapy could be really positive - I have a form of inflammatory arthritis myself and all of these have been invaluable in managing pain and symptoms. But it's reassuring to know I'm under the care of a rheumatologist who can deal with any issues so worth getting checked.

[JDQuinn75]

To Georgia and cherryfied. I went on and reschedule my appointment with the rehumatoligist. I couldn't get one until next month but the reason I did was because my feet yesterday were both swollen. My right foot more so than my left. But like I've said before they hurt terribly by the end of my work day. With them starting to swell that tells me it's time to see a rehumatoligist. Not to complain but I so feel it all day from the time I get up til I go to bed at night. Right now I'm the most comfortable when I'm not on them at all. I just want to be comfortable again and not feel the pain all day everyday. I had thought about looking into a wheelchair for my worst days that I have. But I've always been the type of person to be able to tolerate alot of pain until it gets to the point that I can't anymore . I need something to take the edge off of the pain until I do see the rehumatoligist. I am taking nabumetone but I don't think it is helping me much to ease the pain I'm experiencing right now. If I feel that I do need to go the route of looking into a wheelchair I will but that will be only if I have to. I just hope it won't get to that point . We'll see I guess. I'm a fighter when it comes to something like having to deal with this. I will be in touch after I find out what my diagnoses is .

[cherryfied]

Hi. Sorry your feet are so painful. Good luck at the rheumatologist. If it is arthritis then getting your inflammation down will be important and hopefully help ease the pain. I find an anti-inflammatory style diet really helps. Might also be worth asking your GP about anti-inflammatories and dosage. There are a number of different ones so if nabumetone isn't working they might recommend another. Might be worth a shot. I hope the pain eases for you and that you get some answers soon.

[Artroc56]

Have you looked at Psoriatic Arthritis? very similar and needs expert to tell the difference.

[Hidden]

Having suffered regular bouts of inflammation for years I have found that certain things make it worse, I can't tolerate wine, (or alcohol in any form), vinegar, or too much red meat will spark off an attack. My brother who suffers with his hands finds that tomatoes (its the acid they contain) will trigger a bout of inflammation. Just a few things to look at that might help. Hope you get some relief soon. x

[BOB4]

hi it sounds like osteoarthritis, redness in your hands could be dermatitis or eczema, I would make an appointment with your doctor tell them of your symptoms ask what form u have

[JDQuinn75 in reply to BOB4]

I went to my rheumatologist on the 10 th they told me that they were leaning more towards osteoarthritis .

[JDQuinn75]

My rheumy also did x rays on my right shoulder and both of my hips. Now that I'm getting pain in my shoulders knees and elbows along with my hands and feet . I was given a prescription for the pain. Not seeing any difference as of yet as far as it easing up for me. I guess it's still a little early to tell. Tomorrow will be day 6 of taking the prescription that I was given.

[shelly1968]

Go to the rheumatogist might be able to help before it gets to bad,could be planta fasia like ive got or somthing else,i put cream on my hands algesal its fab i use it everywhere

[JDQuinn75 in reply to shelly1968]

SHELLY1968,

I alreay went to a rheumatologist l go back on the 6th of august for my second appointment. They did x rays of my hips and right shoulder. They also took blood as,well. But since March I've started feeling it in my knees and shoulders as,well as my elbows as,well. I think I'm starting to get signs of it in my lower back now too. . This past March I was just getting signs of it in my hands and feet. It has been more progressive since March. J Quinn

[healthygenes]

I developed it aged 34 but because no one could tell me what it was then I went 14 yrs having blood test after blood test,I too suffered terrible with my hands and feet,also my neck,but I was about 48 before a rhumatologist said have you got psoriasis,by then I was crawling up the stairs as soon as I came in from work I felt so ill, the fatigue had set. In by then,but I was almost 50 by the time they put me on methtrexate, to me it saved my life,I was so desperate,and all the time it was psoriatic arthritis so I lost years of treatment, so make sure you are taken seriously,I was too busy bringing up children and running a bussiness to argue when they said they could find nothing wrong,I'd just leave it for another 6 monthes, then go back to the Dr, I went private, done all I could, I now have osteo as well as seveal other things that go hand in hand,so please look after yourself, and don't be fobbed off,like I was,blessings to you.

[Iluvgardening in reply to healthygenes]

The same happened to me they kept saying the RA factor is negative but, that it is auto immune symptoms. But, no diagnosis! It was so hard to be told over and over, but not giving anything to help with the pain or swelling or the collar bones going out of place.... Finally by the grace of God someone recommended my rheumatologist, whom I love😊she took xrays,bloodwork and diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis in January 2012. I started biologic drugs and I still haven't found one that takes away all the pain,but I can tolerate it better on the meds. I feel like my General practitioner and orthopedic doctor I was seeing, just didn't know enough about psoriatic arthritis, and it was mis diagnosed as osteoporosis. I too have psoriasis, but it is very minimal. I certainly can relate to you.

[CindyCT]

Hello. I have the same symptoms as you, but I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Read up on that with your symptoms and see if you have anything in common.

[JDQuinn75 in reply to CindyCT]

I was told last June by a rheumatologist that mine was early signs of osteoarthritis. Since last June mine has gotten worse in my hands , shoulders and feet as well . I also now have it in my knees too and possibly in my lower spine. A few weeks ago I started getting discomfort in the upper part of my spine mid way of it. It's been awful these past few months. Some days I'm limited to what I'm able to do, depending on the day and how bad it is. I've had unbearable days in the past as well. Some days it hurts to even move. I'm sure this sounds familiar to you as well. I'm only 41 and fear the worst for the way it's been acting up on my lately. The fear like paralysis in the spine do to the the progression of my osteoarthritis in my back. I guess only time will tell in what happens. Thanks for the info Cindy CT. J. D. Quinn

[CindyCT in reply to JDQuinn75]

Hello CT.J.D.Quinn, I'm only 45 yrs. When I turned 40 yrs in May some years ago. By November of that year I was bent over, walking nearly at 90 degrees, crawling up and down stairs. I hope you find the right doctor to give you the right pro notice. Don't give up, keep nagging them doctors. Hope you have a good new year.

Cindy

[JDQuinn75 in reply to CindyCT]

Cindy I was 37 when mine started in my hands and few years ago. After it started in my hand and year went by before I was feeling it in my feet. The bottom of my right foot aches every day. I think I also have a pinched nerve in my lower back because I keep getting a warm sensation down my right leg. I've also felt it through my right buttocks as well at times it aches there. I haven't felt it on the left thank goodness. Hopefully I won't. The past couple of days my hands have hurt like you wouldn't believe. Mine has been taking turns lately on witch part wants to hurt. Jason