Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 3 weeks ago, referral for rheumatologist isn't till mid December. Taking painkillers for the pain in my

[jeb49]

hands. Also more swelling appearing on knuckles is it normal for hands to deteriate so quickly?

[Hidden]

Don't panic! I started with swollen wrists and knuckles, 21 years ago. It won't be long before you see the rheumatologist, and once you get the right meds you will be fine.

You will probably have X rays of your hands to see what's going on.

Meanwhile take anti-inflammatories if poss, and try soaking your hands in either hot or cold water. Try and keep them moving as that helps too.

Welcome to this site, there is lots of help here!

[jeb49 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Phoebe, Unable to take anti-inflammatories due to other problems. Was just concerned that these swellings seem to be happening so quickly. It seems ages off December. Just taking codeine and paracetamols which don't seem to be doing much. I'm a softy with pain. Thanks for your advice.

[Kittykatxxxxx]

Hello try no to worry you will be fine.swelling is normal hopefully this will go with treatment!x

[jeb49]

Thanks Kittykat, It is the swelling thats worrying me happening so fast. Thanks for advice

[Hidden]

Hello BOB here

given painkillers

Try some Nurofen from the supermarket or BOOTS, will reduce swelling and Paracetamol. Although you say the GP has given painkillers He knows your condition so follow him.

Do not worry regards hospital all will be ok , nothing to worry about

BOB

[Ronnie63]

Hi Jeb

When I was first diagnosed my hands did swell up pretty quickly too. They also got under control quickly once I started on the meds, so don't panic too much. It is scary but I am way better than I was at the beginning. Also, try to keep using your hands to keep the joints supple but if you're doing something that hurts them (e.g. like opening a jar) then stop and buy a gadget, you need to protect your joints from now on so avoid diagonal movements of the hands like twisting things

Am sure you'll feel better once you start

Good luck

[earthwitch]

The national target for first appointment with a rheumatologist for RA is 12 weeks, I believe, so if its any comfort, you are being seen within the recommended time frame. Those time frame recommendations and targets are based on a lot of research on best practice, so obviously the NHS has decided that a wait of 12 weeks isn't going to cause ongoing or long term problems, even though its going to be a hard wait for you when you are in such pain.

Have you read up information from NRAS or other arthritis websites to see what you can do as self help to relieve it a bit? I guess, besides the painkillers, thats about all you can do right now. Its a pity you can't take NSAIDs though. A steroid injection would probably help (and some GPs will give this), but you would run the risk that it cleared things up too well, and there would be nothing for the rheumatologist to see at your December appointment. Even though you say you have the diagnosis of RA, it does need a rheumatologist to confirm it properly before you can get treated with DMARDs or other meds.

[Hidden]

It can be helpful to keep a symptom diary week by week - pain, swelling, any other symptoms. And take some photos of the affected joints as the symptoms can wax and wane and it helps the rheumatologists to see how your joints were when they were particularly painful:-}

Welcome to the site, there's lots of help and friendly support here. As Eartwitch says there's lots of information on the NRAS website especially for the newly diagnosed.

Cece x

[Jill60]

Welcome Jen to this wonderful, helpful forum, with incredible people to help and support you......as Ronnie said that appointment is about right, so don't worry too much! things won't deteriorate that much in that time scale.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[Harpey]

I had a flare up last year and watched the swelling move from my wrist to each knuckle in turn and I've also had cartilage move between the joints to cause lumps. However, now the drugs are working, everything has settled down and there doesn't appear to be any long-term damage to any of the joints (touch wood) although it is quite scary when it's all new and everything's inflamed. I hope everything works out OK.

[Nildesperandum]

Hi. My hands went downhill really quickly whilst I was waiting for my rheumatologist appointment too and like you it was really worrying me. I could hardly move my left hand as some of the palmar tendons tightened and my fingers went all claw like and wouldn't straighten. I was really panicked that the damage was permanent. As soon as I was started on the steroids and methotrexate they improved within a few days and all the swellings lumps and bumps disappeared like magic. Try not to worry x xx x

[Nildesperandum]

Ps. I ended up wearing my ski gloves to bed because they gave lots of support to my poor fingers which were keeping me awake at night. You could try that. It really helped

[jeb49 in reply to Nildesperandum]

Thanks very much for advice. I am wearing a splint on one hand for carple tunnel, had one hand operated on last month having the right hand done in January. Thanks again