joint swelling and pain

[Sushilovey]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any tips for managing joint swelling and pain?

I have been using tiger balm, heated gloves (I also have raynauds) and taking glucosamine and omega 3 supplements but I have been having a lot of pain in my forefinger knuckle joint and swelling around the joint and this normally subsides but I am on day 3 and it’s not going anywhere. For reference I have lupus and am on 400mg of hydroxychloroquine. I have codeine prescribed but if anyone has any tips that would be great

[EeBeee]

Hello, I have lupus too and at its worst my joint pains are really bad in my hands and my knees. I find arnica really helps me. I use the bath soak in my bath and I also use the balm to rub onto my joints. It’s great! I get mine from Holland and Barrett and there is almost always some sort of discount or promotion on. Hopefully it can work for you too!

[Sushilovey in reply to EeBeee]

thank you that’s helpful and I am willing to try anything ☺️

[Dowland45]

You need an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen . Try to bring down swelling as soon as possible, icing helps or heat from electric blankets

[Sushilovey in reply to Dowland45]

Thank you. I will try icing the swelling today, I can’t take ibuprofen due to stomach issues but will see if there is another anti inflammatory that I can take

[Guatmom in reply to Sushilovey]

I use diclofenac instead of ibuprofen. It’s a prescription NSAID medicine. It works for me on those days the joint pain in my hands gets bad

[Poshcards]

I use Pernaton, it is a cool gel, The blue and white box, not red one, that is hot, I call it my magic cream, again get on Amazon or Holland and Barrett xx

[Sushilovey in reply to Poshcards]

thank you I have ordered that gel too!

[Poshcards in reply to Sushilovey]

It's all natural too, no drugs in it xx

[A-r-c-h-I-e]

hello , Archie here. I have similar probs in legs& hands, ibuprofen GEL is very helpful. Like you I cannot take ibuprofen- too old! Best Wishes

[Jianna35]

Turmeric is brilliant along with cayenne and black seed fermented in raw honey. It takes a minimum of a month to ferment. Black pepper and Turmeric capsules will help also. Magnesium spray helps with joints. I've had lupus for a very long time as well as raynauds ssjogrens and APS. I've also earned myself off most prescribed medications as I find that they cause me too many side effects.

[Chris21]

hi sushilovey, if all the above answers dont help, go to GP and see whether a short course of steroids will help. I had a flare of awful joint pain and swelling that kept me awake at night. was given 10 mg for a week and tapered done until i only had 2.5mg the last week ( month in total) so far, joints are bearable with no swelling. 🙂x

[Sushilovey in reply to Chris21]

Thank you. Yes the finger is still painful with swelling but I will persevere for a bit longer with the gels and icing although strangely I have now got a stiff painful (not swollen) shoulder on the same side 🤔

[Chris21 in reply to Sushilovey]

always good to try non medicated things first as they may help 😊

[Sushilovey]

If anyone has any other tips to help with this pain that would be great. I am unable to speak with the nurse advice line as my NHS rheumatology appointment isn’t until January (thankfully with the same consultant I saw privately) but as I am sort of in limbo I don’t know who best to turn to for help with the flare up. Would you normally see your consultant for flares or your GP?