Painful , swollen and inflamed joints in hands.

[Sheena54]

My hands are very painful and swollen at the minute. I was supposed to start the daily injections too, but this is been postponed because of COVID. I had a steroid injection on the 4th March. But suffering at the minute. I can't get through to my RA nurse at the minute as they are so busy. Should I phone my Dr and ask for steroids? Thank you

[Deniseelk]

Yes, I would suggest don’t delay if you are suffering. Not all GP practices are able to give the steroid shots there but I am sure they could at least contact your Rheumatology team for a bit of a push! Meantime, rest your limbs and try to do all the things that make you feel a little better... hot bath / sit in sun / listen to music / read / ice pack sore joints.... etc.

[Sheena54 in reply to Deniseelk]

Thank you so much . I’ll phone tomorrow.

[GeorgiaBulldawg]

I would certainly call your dr and get a prescription for steroids and pain meds, until you can begin your injections.

I am so sorry for the pain that you are having.

I pray that you will get some relief very soon !

[Sheena54 in reply to GeorgiaBulldawg]

This is so kind. Thank you x x

[GeorgiaBulldawg in reply to Sheena54]

No thanks needed, Sheena. Happy to lift you up in prayer, anytime !

We are all in this together and we’re here for one another. The path that we are on, is not an easy one, but, having someone to talk to and understands what you’re experiencing... IS PRICELESS !!

[springcross]

I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering and I hope you can get relief very soon. xx

[Sheena54 in reply to springcross]

Thank you

[Moomin8]

I ditto what has already been said. Prednisolone tablets are steroid tablets. You might be prescribed these.

[Sheena54 in reply to Moomin8]

Thank you

[Summerrain14]

Hi Sheena, definitely contact your GP to see if you can have a course of steroids. Each area seem to have very different options available to them. Are you able to leave a message for your RA nurse? You definitely need something to help you through.

Both my Rhuemy team and GP have been very supportive with meds and a course of steroids to help me through my latest flare up over the last month. It is thanks to people on this lovely forum who have helped me reach out and ask for help. Thinking of you. x

[colindgreen]

Hi,

I found max does of turmeric and ginger reduced the pain and bruised/tenderness in my hands.

Also if you are able, there are a number of hand massages for RA which I have found helped. For me they worked best when my hands had been soacked in a hot bath.

I have had a number of flares the past few weeks, so giving compression gloves a try.

Good luck

Colin

[Sheena54 in reply to colindgreen]

Thanks Colin.I actually have compression gloves. From when I was first diagnosed, I’m not too sure if they helped or not to be honest. But thanks for reminder. I’ll get them out again. Take care.

[Revelation7]

Yes I would, but only as a temporary measure.

If you suffer with any stomach problems though make sure you get enteric coated steroids.

Keep trying the Rheuma nurses, don’t give up. I had problems like you a few years ago when my consultant left, there were staff issues as well and I had to manage myself on steroids.

I had a lot of trouble cutting them down later on. It appears I’d slipped through the net as it were. To add to the problems my records went missing for a while as I was being transferred to a different hospital.

You have to make a nuisance of yourself which I hated doing as it’s not my nature. In the end my husband had to complain as I was so ill I was getting too emotional to deal with the phone calls. If he hadn’t stepped in, I doubt I’d ever have been seen.

I understand mistakes happen, and in fairness I received profuse apologies later, but the damage was done and high dose steroids took their toll.

I ended up with two cataract surgeries and a lot of weight gain. It’s taken ages to reduce to a maintenance level.

[Revelation7]

As a post script I highly recommend Turmeric. Make sure they are high quality and have black pepper included.

I get mine from Autoimmune Institute online and take 4 per day. They’re not the cheapest but when you’re in pain you’ll try anything. They’ve helped me to not need painkillers any longer.

I honestly believe they have helped me enormously in reducing the steroids from 20mg.+ per day at my highest, down to 4mg. at present.

As a Christian, I will pray for you too if you’re willing.

[Harimah]

It sounds like a flare up to me I get this too and the last time it happened [ about a month ago ] I was told by Rheumatology staff that I should have contacted them straight away, I know things are crazy at the moment but even so contact them there's no logical reason why you should be left in pain and I do know how bad it can be after all Rheumatology are not dealing with covid-19 patients

[Sheena54]

Hi .im overwhelmed by the helpful comments from people on this forum. I got in touch with my GP today and my husband has picked up steroids from the pharmacy today.so hopeful in a few days things will start to ease a bit. Thank you to everyone .