Just wondering how people handle meeting people who automatically offer their hand for a shake? I meet several people through work and have been having to say, I'm sorry I can't shake your hand and then have to explain I have RA. Does anyone have an alternative?
Thanks, Jacey.
Put your arms round them and quietly tell them that you have ra and you can't shake hands.xxxx
I just say "sorry, sore hands" and depending on how formal or friendly either hold my hand out positioned to touch palms instead, or for a fist bump, or nothing at all. At things like conferences or big meetings where I knew they'd be lots of hand shaking I'd put a thin strip of bandage round my right hand so it was obvious not to shake.
I wear wrist supports on both hands. As they reach out their hand, and I reach out mine. I hold my right wrist with my left hand, to give added support,and say "gently, please". Sometimes they ask "what have you done?" Or "what's the matter?" I usually have a crutch which is another clue! Sometimes I brush it off, sOmetimes I say "heumatoid Arthritis" sometimes I say "it's an inflammatory auto-immune disease". It very mucho dependa on the curcumstances.
If i shook hands without the protectors, and the person had a strong handshake, on a bad day, I would yelp in pain!
Jora
I wrote a post asking this awhile ago ! I learnt the best thing was wear a stiffened hand/ wrist support or grab the fingers of the person first so they cant squeeze the knuckles. I have to shake hands alot too. Really big blokes I just say sorry -hand problem !
Thanks for taking the time to reply, some very helpful advice ☺
If someone offers their hand to shake mine I put out both hands and grasp their hand in both of mine. That way they don't feel rejected and they can't squeeze my hand to demonstrate what a strong grip they have - and make me wince or even scream depending on the degree of pain and tenderness that day.
That's what I do too! It works really well. In addition, I find it feels much more genuine to "shake" someone's hand like that than to just squeeze tight.
Sometimes I wonder if they see the terror on my face as they're extending their hand toward me! Haha.
My other advice, keep your hands full. I hold a notebook across my chest with both arms and act like it's a life preserver so I can't let go for even a moment. 
Good idea, will definitely try that, thanks. I suffered at the hand of a salesman last week, enough's enough!
I don't put my hand out, and just say "I'm sorry I won't shake your hand as my fingers are too sore today". I don't think I have ever had anyone ask why, though I do have reasonably obviously bent finger tips if they looked closely.
Hands
Extreme Dizziness and shaking. 
🤚 hand
Hands
