Relief from swelling and stiff hands

[Parakeet88]

Hi everyone,

I'm waiting for my referral to a rheumatologist, which could take months due to Covid-19 backlogs.

I wonder if anyone could help me in the meantime. I have two extremely swollen fingers, and both hands feel very stiff and weak. I'm also having a bit of trouble gripping things. The only relief I get for my fingers is holding them under water. Ibuprofen and Ibuprofen gel doesn't seem to be doing much, although I am persevering with it.

Is there anything else I can do to help ease my symptoms in the meantime? I'm trying to keep my hands warm as I'm convinced the cold weather is making them worse as well.

Thanks so much.

[LoneEra]

I’m also waiting for a referral back into the system (took a decade away as I was receiving rubbish/zero care).

Using a combination of ice packs and heat packs (not together!!) can help to relieve the swelling a little. This article explains: arthritis-health.com/blog/u...

You could also speak to your regular doctor and ask for some anti-inflammatories to help you through this waiting period.

As much as your hands are stiff, doing little stretches/exercises is also important. Just do what you can: webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthri...

Hope you feel a little better soon. And that the referral doesn’t take too long x

[Parakeet88 in reply to LoneEra]

Thanks so much, that's really helpful 🙂 Asking the dr for anti inflammatories is a great idea. Hope you feel better soon too.

[Boxerlady]

Have you tried paracetamol? I was told to take it in tandem with ibuprofen - apparently they're more effective when taken together.

[Parakeet88 in reply to Boxerlady]

Thanks for your reply. I haven't tried that actually, but I will definitely have a look into it.

[Boxerlady in reply to Parakeet88]

Have you spoken to your GP about it? They might prescribe pain relief or even a short course of steroids or a steroid injection to tide you over until your consultation. It would be worth letting them know that you're struggling just in case they're able to speed up the process; my GP gave me interim steroids and got me an earlier appointment but of course, that was pre-Covid 😕

[Parakeet88 in reply to Boxerlady]

I will get in touch again. My GP hasn't really suggested anything but Ibuprofen so far but I will push a bit more for something stronger. He did chase the hospital last week for me at least, but sadly even cancer surgery has been cancelled as well as all outpatients appointments so it will be a long wait.

[Boxerlady in reply to Parakeet88]

The paracetamol/ibuprofen combination was suggested to me by both a GP and a physio (for a tendon injury pre-RA) and a rheumy nurse.My rheumy team is still seeing patients but that may be because the department has been moved from the main hospital to a smaller one; the postcode lottery strikes again 😢

[Parakeet88 in reply to Boxerlady]

Great that they are still seeing people at least. It's such an awful situation 😔

[Lizard28]

My hands and my fingers are very stiff and sore just now, I can feel your pain. I also have raynaulds and it is definitely worse when my hands are cold. I keep those wee hand warmers, put them in my gloves when I go out. I think they help me. Best wishes x

[Lyra_Jinx]

My advice isnt great but ... 4 months ago my hands went the same, baths helped alot and low intensity walks with my hands up by my chest / stomach and resting (not pushing through the pain). I tried all mannor of over the counter stuff but unfortunately not alot helped.The gp took 4 months to refer me and the referral would take 5 months to get (before inevitable covid push backs).

My advice is, if you can afford it or if your work or anything offer private health. Take it! I was seen within the month, put on steroids (which bar the side effects have been amazing for my hands) and had a follow up booked in for 2 weeks later. I understand it's not the best advice or even much of an option for most, but thought I'd share as I spoke to someone who forgot their worked offered private.

[Parakeet88 in reply to Lyra_Jinx]

Thanks so much - a private appointment is something I'm considering actually. Unfortunately my work don't offer this, so I'd need to pay myself (£200 for 15 mins 😩) but I could afford one appointment. It's the risk of multiple follow ups and needing to pay for more tests that worries me a bit, but I'm going to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. I've found a consultant who does private and NHS work at least, so hopefully he might be able to see me on the NHS as well.

What happened in your first appointment? I have ultrasound results showing arthritis (bloods were clear), but 15 minutes just feels like such a short amount of time.

[Lyra_Jinx in reply to Parakeet88]

Yeah, I have to admit I am worrying about costs but I just got to bad to wait.

With the GP I had bloods and xrays of my hands. All clear. When I went to my rheumatologist appointment he physically assessed my hands and feet, checked my skin for rashes, asked questions about symptoms (during and before hands flaring up). Sent me for more bloods and xray. He seemed to know what it was instantly, diagnosed me with inflammatory arthritis and this week is my follow up to see what the tests say and maybe find out what type of IA.

Kind of in limbo atm.

But you finding a consultant that does both seems like a really good thing! I am nervous about switching back to NHS... although I am excited to tell my GP to suck it after calling me a hypochondriac Haha (focusing on any silver linings)

[Parakeet88 in reply to Lyra_Jinx]

Thank you, that's so helpful! Good luck with your diagnosis 🙂

[LoneEra in reply to Parakeet88]

If you are totally upfront with private rheumatologists about budget, they are usually really understanding and will refer you back to the NHS for scans etc. They can also ask your GP to prescribe meds etc.

[Parakeet88 in reply to LoneEra]

Thank you, that's good to know.

[Tibatha in reply to Parakeet88]

Book one appointment and see if you could then be referred for more treatment on the NHSTry a pack of frozen peas as a ice pack on hands

[Sky42]

I was on naproxen (from go) before referral, stronger than ibuprofen do may help.

[Blocksetter]

All my joints started swelling, especially my hands and wrists. My GP prescribed Naproxen after a first phone consultation in October and arranged blood tests. When the results came in, she telephoned the rhuematology department at Addenbrookes hospital and based on their advice I was put on a short course of steroids immediately which helped immensely. I was seen just before Xmas and started Mtx in early January together with a longer tapering course of steroids. I'm back at work part-time now after 12weeks off.

[Parakeet88 in reply to Blocksetter]

Thank you, I think I'll ring the GP tomorrow.

[Parakeet88 in reply to Parakeet88]

Glad you're feeling better 🙂

[FAISAL2020]

Hi parakeet and sorry to hear you are experiencing all those horrible pains. I had exactly the same problems until I was injected with steroid injection into my bum.

All those pain eased away. Steroid injection is not the ultimate treatment but It will reduce all those pain you mentioned in your msg until getting the right treatment. Ask you GP about it. And hopefully they will give it to you. Good luck

[Parakeet88 in reply to FAISAL2020]

Thank you 🙂

[StormySeas]

Hi therePlenty of good advice already but I’d just like to recommend you take pics of your swollen hands, and other joints, so you have a record.

If your GP puts you on steroids and the inflammation subsides - or your symptoms change, it might be handy to have a record of how things were, particularly if you have negative blood results.

Otherwise I’d go back to the GP, or maybe see a different one at the practice? I thought there were established treatment protocols for arthritis, starting with anti inflammatories. In any case, I’d persevere on the GP route, and also get hard copies of all your blood results. My practice email me mine, so there should be a way you can get them. Good luck X

[Parakeet88 in reply to StormySeas]

Thank you - yes, good idea - I've been taking photos of my hands, and also keeping a diary of symptoms. My GP isn't the most proactive about following through - it's taken a lot of chasing to get to this point! But I would like the records of the blood tests and ultrasound anyway, so I will ask for these.

[Fergie432]

Before I eventually had a referral appointment with a Rheumatologist, my GP prescribed an anti inflammatory drug Meloxicam. Meloxicam really helped before I was put on Methotrexate. OT tip for sore hands is basin of hot water and a basin of cold water, 1 minute in hot then 30 seconds in cold, keep alternating and get your hands going, good luck.

[Parakeet88 in reply to Fergie432]

Thanks so much for the tip - I'll try that!

[Bojedo]

Parakeet88 - I’ve had relief using compression gloves. I order the type without the finger tips. I have also used wrist supports which limit the bending of the wrist, so the damage does not worsen. Although heat eased the pain in my hand, only while the hand was in warm water. I found the pain was worse after the warm water treatment. But cold packs helped best. I believe we are all a bit different in how we respond to pain meds, and what we take also depends on our kidney, stomach and liver health.

Oral steroids for a few months, as well as cortisone shots in my wrist started my healing process. My rheumatology meds took awhile to kick in.

I have never had a pain free day with my right hand and wrist since this started. Grabbing things is the worst, but slowly the strength has returned. I can drive about 40 miles, and then my hand is done for.

My thinking is for you to take care in NOT making this worse. Limit what you do, and baby your hands. Mine became severely inflamed, and I lost the use of the right one for about 2 months. I wish you the best.

[Parakeet88 in reply to Bojedo]

Thanks so much for the advice, and I hope you're feeling better now too. That's definitely one of my fears - I've read so much about how early treatment is very important, and I'm worried about the damage being done to my hands. I've read conflicting things about keeping joints moving, but also not moving too much and wonder if I'm doing more damage by trying to bend my fingers etc. So many questions!

[Chrissycl]

Maybe try a stress ball to squeeze, it will exercise your fingers a little