My first post, any advice appreciated!

Have had RA in jaw for number of years now but recently fingers are really stiff and I’m losing grip on smaller objects with a horrible feeling of stiffness and nearly locking across all fingers..but no pain? Im a forty something male and naively thought I was too young (!) for this. I am otherwise healthy and enjoy running frequently (any runners out there will know why it can really cleanse the mind too) but suffer from a pain and element of discomfort in left knee also. Not sure if this is all RA and being new to forums was reluctant to post! Any ideas appreciated. Thanks.

[ruth_p]

I occasionally get this in my fingers too, I would look up some hand exercises and get some theraputty to help strengthen the muscles in your hands and fingers. You might want to speak to your rheumatology team as it could be your medication needs tweaking. Good luck 😉

[Hidden in reply to ruth_p]

It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one, hope yours improves and yes it’s doctors in the new year. Many thanks.

[Mmrr]

Unfortunately hands and feet are most often affected by RD with stiffness being a big problem.

What medication do you take ?

Do your rheumatology team know that your hands are affected ? If not it might be worth contacting them, as it sounds as if you need a review ?

[Hidden in reply to Mmrr]

Yes, good advice re review and have only been self medicating so far. Many thanks.

[Mmrr in reply to Hidden]

Have you been diagnosed with rheumatoid disease ?

[Spaniellady]

Hi there, I was diagnosed in Feb. I'm a 47 female. Was at the point I was struggling with walking, stairs, opening doors, handles, jars, eating apples, etching. Been on Hydroxychloroquine and MTx since. I'm by no means settled on the drugs but the improvement is massive. Life isn't completely back to normal but not far off. I'm really interested that you're still running. The me before RA used to do triathlon, so training was a huge part of my life. I feel a massive loss that such an important part of my life has been taken away, and with it my coping mechanism which as a fellow runner you'll know the head space running gives. I was told to avoid running because of the impact. To be honest, after a day at work there's not really the energy left to do anything either. Kind of made my peace and accepted that walking is also great, and blessed I can walk properly again, and can walk the dogs rather than run them.

Are you on medication? If not, it's worth speaking to your consultant.

[Hidden in reply to Spaniellady]

Thx for the reply, reassuring to read it can improve. Re medication, I’ve not been to the doctor on this for a number of years and tend to just self medicate parecetomol, ibruprofen but I think in the new year the hands problem dictates I need to go. Triathlon (wow- what an achievement!) Yes, I wrestle with thinking what will take the place of my running in the future, it’s just so refreshing mentally and physically. I enjoy swimming but it’s more hassle than putting on a pair of trainers. Does swimming not work for you, the feeling I get swimming under water resonates with some of what I get whilst running or cycling (less impact?) Dog therapy walking is good especially if you can get out if busier areas so keep on walking- and great you can do it!

[Spaniellady in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I get my Zen head place swimming too, but much more hassle than throwing on trainers. The RA is messing with my shoulder atm so swimming is out for the time being. And then there's the amount of energy it takes just to go to work; not much left in the tank when I get home! But I can walk, and that's fab! I'm just back on steroids so looking forward to feeling temporarily amazing and will be back in the pool very soon.

As your hands are veoming worse, if you aren't under a Rheumatologist, I suggest you get referred asap. The waiting list is about 9 months (in Wales). I don't think the GP can prescribe the RA drugs until the RA consultant has. As I understand it, the earlier the medical intervention, the better the long term prognosis. The bottom line is that RA is a chronic incurable degenerative disease and it's worth doing everything that can make the future as rosy as possible!

[helixhelix]

I’m wondering if you know the difference between the types of arthritis? Osteoarthritis is the most common, and can affect young people and is not just about old people with knobbly hands. It’s a bugger, as treatments are limited, and it can ne extremely painful and disabling.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a different type of arthritis, also a bugger to deal with and painful and disabling, but is actually an incurable autoimmune disease. Also can go on to affect heart and lungs etc.

How you describe your symptoms sounds a bit more like osteoarthritis. With rheumatoid you usually get symmetrical hot, swollen joints. Commonly starts in hands and feet, but the knuckles and middle joint of fingers. Osteoarthritis prefers to nibble on the top joint. However both do give you stiff fingers/hands especially in the mornings.

Best to get yourself checked of course, but you may find it’s not RA.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome.

I too get stiffness in my fingers and locking. ( I don’t usually get pain just stiffness, swelling and lack of mobility) Earlier this year had a 4 months of experiencing dropping things often felt that I had a grip of an object only to realise I had dropped it... it felt had if my grip was just too slow. Now I realise this is a new symptom during a flare. I don’t always get the same joint problems during a flare . RD likes to move around and keep you on your toes 🥺🙄. I’m not a runner but I do like exercise unfortunately I have to tailor what I do depending on symptoms.. sometimes I can’t do anything.. it’s all trial and error and individual.