So these are the hands that are normal according to the hospital

[Helzbells]

Following on from my post yesterday. Today I just broke down and cried I can barely walk and I cannot pick anything up without wanting to weep. People have been commenting on how swollen my hands look. There is no space between my knuckles because of the swelling yet the hospital tell me there is nothing wrong with them although last September they told me I had swelling. What do people think?

[oldtimer]

They look swollen to me... can you get a second opinion?

[Sunny99]

You need an appointment with an occupational therapist as they have hand and wrist exercise's that work wonders for you. I spent nearly a month protecting my hands from everything as the pain was excruciating even if they were touched. Then a friend told me to go, and what a difference, by the end of the first appointment I could hold items and make a fist, which I could not do previously. Don't get me wrong its not a cure but it was a great help

[Morigan in reply to Sunny99]

Sorry for silly question but how do you get appointments with accupational therapist through your rheumy or your gp? Or can you self refer?

[medway-lady]

to see swelling you need to make a fist otherwise its hard as they look from this picture normalish.

[Mhairi54]

They look swollen to me. The skin is so taut it looks shiny! I agree with oldtimer, could you ask for a second opinion? You are quite within your rights to request one. I did and it was the best decision I ever made. I now have a fantastic consultant. Let us know how you get on.

[Hidden]

Hi Helzbells I could have written this myself as have exactly the same problem. I have 2 fingers which I cannot bend at all and they are so painful. I have an appointment on 4 September so hopefully I can get something sorted.

My GP seems to think I have sero negative arthritis so it doesn't show up on blood tests, but clearly something is wrong otherwise my fingers wouldn't be swollen!

I think you need to seek a second opinion - go back to your GP.

Hope it all gets sorted 😊

[Nitrobunny]

Owie! Definitely looks swollen to me, as previously mentioned I can definitely see the skin on your fingers is stretched taut and shiny. I do not know about everyone else but on the rare occasion that my fingers are not swollen, the skin is relaxed and not puffy. I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this. I hate to see anyone in pain.

[cheshcat]

They look just like my hands they told me was "classic Rheumatoid hands". Don't let them get away with just one test, there are several for Rheumatoid. Keep speaking up, be the squeaky wheel. At the end of the day it's our health, we are the ones that need to live in our own bodies for the rest of our lives, not them. Just keep showing back up. That's what I did (and yes, it sucked) but I am so very close now to a formal diagnosis and more importantly, medication.

[margarete-72]

you have rheumatoid arthritus in ur hands the swollen knuckles are bright red snd hurt iv had this for yrs I saw a rheumatologist Feb she said I have fibromyalgia and gave me braces for my hands I went king George's thurs snd was told my thumbs Nd wrists are rheumatoid arthritus as my thumbs are bent over gave me thumb braces x I'm on oxycodone as I can't take tabs or capsules as iv had dysphagia I can't swollow lups x u need to be refered x best luck go Dr's and cry out in pain x

[helenlw7]

My consultant told me, many years ago, that when you clench your fists, if the line across the knuckles is straight, your hands are swollen. That is the first thing he looks for at each appointment. What do yifists look like when clenched?

[medway-lady in reply to helenlw7]

That's exactly what I was told too.

[spzgirl51]

Hello @Helzbells,

Wow, Your hands and fingers look swollen and painful to me?

Keep taking photos and definitely go back to your gp,

Good luck xx

[jointpain]

Well, you are either having a sausage BBQ, or you have swollen fingers! Many of my joints were sooo painful hardly able to walk and or bend my back, and I knew it was inflammation. Eventually got antibiotics for eight months, knees fine now but back is not, and I now have two painful fingers without any visible swelling.

Keep getting on the doctors nerves till they actually do something. They get paid enough!

[2828-157]

Hi yes your hands are defiantly swollen I was told to hold a bar of soap in each hand and clench them for a while I use sandle wood soap but it doesn't matter the type it's an old fisherman trick for arthritis , my hands kept swelling and cramping from sjogrens and RA and I loved Ve knitting so I tried it actually does work , hope you get some help unfortunately with auto amune conditions there aren't many doctors or hospitals that seem to be able to give much clarity

[munchkin]

Both hands look definitely swollen, the right hand more so than the left especially the finger next to the little finger on your right hand.

[Jacey15]

The thing is you know what your hands were like before you had RA so you know that puffiness across your knuckles is down to the arthritis. Its not like you can predict you are going to have problems to take photos beforehand. Your hands look like mine when mine are swollen. I hope you get some resolution soon xXx

[LizzieR]

?????? Swollen. Mine look the same and the Hosp agree they are???? Get a second opinion I would say.

Just a thought- during one consultation, my rheumy kept saying things were 'normal' and when I finally questioned it, she laughed and said ' normal for someone with PSA'. Equally,they say I'm in remission, despite being much much worse, which they say is because of the damage I've done. Could it be a problem of language? Just hoping for you.. . if not, go to another rheumy/ doc!

Good luck x

[roseunger]

Perhaps it is your kidneys or heart etc and its fluid. You should have a full blood examination and check kidney and liver function gfr or bun etc...

[roseunger]

And 24 he urine for protein

[Hidden]

Send them to Specsavers lol! Where the hell are they looking! They are definitely swollen, I would certainly not be happy about that! Ask for a second opinion, I do hope you get some relief soon.🌈🤗X