What helps you?

[Diamond61]

Hi, I have painful arthritis in my fingers, I'm still working and typing every day which doesn't help.I currently just use ibuprofen gel 10 percent and not much else, apart from hot/cold packs which only have a temporary effect.

I'm looking for additional help with pain and swelling so wondered if any of you lovely people could advise if you've had any success with the following please?

Exercise ( which website)

Oral ibuprofen

Copper bracelets

Ring splints

Acupuncture

Arthritis gloves

Many thanks!

[DorsetLady]

Don’t have hand arthritis -

Have a look at versus arthritis forum for exercises -

versusarthritis.org/about-a...

But do use this - so worth. considering Flexiseq -flexiseq.com/

[Diamond61 in reply to DorsetLady]

Interesting! Off to boots at lunchtime!

Many thanks

[DorsetLady in reply to Diamond61]

Not cheap - but definitely worth a try.

And if it does work-it’s often on offer and the big A online store does a subscribe and save option…

[MikeG1944 in reply to DorsetLady]

Tried it a few years back but did nothing for me, but it does seem to work for some. But exercise ans the Chondritin/Glucosamine (strongest version)has helped for about 3 decades.

[DorsetLady in reply to MikeG1944]

Doesn’t work if you’ve got to bone-on-bone stage as I know from knee. It does requires enough synovial fluid/cartilage to work on… helping my shoulder at the moment.

As you say, horses for courses.

[Pixix]

My hands have got a lot worse, & due to another condition my thumb dislocated yesterday while hand washing a blanket!! I’ve bought some Flexiseq & trying it for first time today! The hospital consultant sent me to a hand specialist who gave me specific exercises to do, & gave me compression gloves, thumb splints, & saw me three times. She was very knowledgeable…she also told me what not to do…eg ironing!! I can’t take ibuprofen due to stomach issues. Warmth helps. & I do exercises, but they’re not on a web site, the nurse taught me them, & tested me on them each week!!! I’m having a ultrasound scan of both hands & wrists in two months time.

[katieoxo60]

Hi Diamond61 , if you go onto Arthritis Actions webpage there are lots of ideas on there to try and even some videos on hand exercises. Versus Arthritis is also a helpful site as Dorset Lady says. I used to use the arthritis gloves which are good when typing. A chilli based gel is very good also holland & Barret do that one. Exercises have kept my hands subtle for 30 odd years. Your Gp or practice nurse can print off hand exercises from varied sites if you ask.

[Diamond61]

Thanks all, my GP gave me a link for excercises which no longer works, I just want to persevere what I've got as I'm already having difficulty pegging out washing and with cutlery.

Also said I wasn't bad enough to be referred to hand clinic....

I definitely might try gloves for typing....

[DorsetLady in reply to Diamond61]

In the link I sent you from versus arthritis did you see this?

versusarthritis.org/about-a...

I also wrote this on another forum but you should be able to access -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Diamond61 in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks

[LuzyCLL]

I wear fingerless gloves most of the time, they help a lot. I developed an upper GI bleeding ulcer from too much ibuprofen, now my rheumatologist is “treating my inflammation” - no arthritis diagnosis, only very high ANA titer, with Sulfasalazine 500 mgs twice a day, started 7.5 mg methotrexate about one month before the Sulfasalazine… Huge decrease in pain!!! It’s 85% gone! All my joints were very painful, now I feel much better, but still have awful fatigue.

Lidocaine cream helps, put lots on then gloves. Arthritis gloves help me a lot too. I also fill the dishpan with hot water and soak my hands & wrists…

[Diamond61]

Gloves arriving today, will keep you posted.Also looking at silver ring splints, there seems to be a gap in the market as there aren't any UK based suppliers.

[Kneesandtoes]

I stopped using Omega 6 oils and spreads, because I had read that these could promote breast cancer. Changed to butter and olive oil and found that my painful finger joints returned to normal. It is about thirty years ago. Cutting out ultra processed foods is a good idea for many reasons.

[HeronNS]

I've taken glucosamine for over thirty years. Maximum daily dos is supposed to be about 1500 mg, but I take 2000 - possibly this is contributing to my increased blood sugar, but when I tried to reduce the dosage my arthritis seemed to flare up a bit. Vitamin B6 is supposed to be helpful. I take a complete B every second day. And I do use Flexiseq.

It's important to know that all NSAIDs can interfere with cartilage renewal, so taking them on a regular basis is counterproductive.

There is a finger exercise The Flower, where you open and close your hands, resisting the motion at the same time, a few times every day. This looks like a good description:

sitandbefit.org/easy-finger...