I hope everyone is having as gentle a day as possible.
I have increasingly sore hands (& feet) whilst waiting for appts etc to commence a biologic. My screen has been sent but various things still need confirming and agreeing and my next appt isn’t until the end of September and I am both trying to keep off steroids and maintain the necessary DAS28 for severe disease 😢. My rheumatology nurse recommended paraffin/wax baths or soaks esp for hands. At this point I am willing to try anything but was wondering whether anybody here has found this helpful and have any recommendations or tips? (Has anybody successfully used a large pot rather than an expensive machine 🤣)?
I hope you get on your biologics sooner rather than later, can you push it through? Don't let them forget you. As for wax baths...not heard of it, but if you drop those words into the search bar above stuff will come up. Or look to the right of this/your post, and related posts come up.
Oh yes I should have thought of that 🤦🏼♀️Thank you! 😊
I too am thinking of wax baths . I know they use them in the hand clinic but don’t know anyone personally who uses them . I’m sure there was an article by NRAS about biologics now being easier and more available might be worth a read .
in reply to
Thank you! Let me know if you try. Debating sacrificing an old pot to see whether it might just provide some short term relief.
I had a parrafin wax bath done on my hands and feet a few months ago, I was hoping it would provide some relief especially in the hands. It was on offer for £10, im glad I tried it but in all honesty other than it being relaxing and my hands felt a little softer, I didnt really feel much benefit of my RA or joints. I wouldn't pay full price for the treatment, but if it was on offer and I wanted a pamper I'd have it done again.
Thank you, that’s helpful. I certainly don’t fancy spending a lot of money on something that may not help. Great you got to try it even if it didn’t help!Thank you for the good wishes, hopefully things will fall in to place and it will all happen 🤞🏻 xx
Hopefully you will hear about starting your biologics soon, and things will improve for you. If you have a local beauty therapist who has the treatment on offer, it might be with trying the parrafin wax it may help a little for you. I asked on here the same question, a few months ago and it was mixed reviews. But glad i gave it a go x
Hi - I suffer significantly with my left hand (on a biologic) -awaiting a steroid injection - I, too, was looking into this, and it seems it varies for everyone.
I know you can also buy them on Amazon. It is maybe worthwhile going on YouTube and scroll the comments section if you are online.
At the moment, I am using Biofreeze, which helps a little.
Take care; I hope things get better for you soon - Hessie 🙂
Years ago before all the sophisticated drugs we are now fortunate enough to have, paraffin/wax baths were a standard treatment for both OA & RA & patients reported it was very soothing..l.but it’s not a long term solution.I don,t remember there being any fancy machines…just a bowl large enough to put your hands in,,,,but do be careful…ask your nurse how hot you should make the soak…..the micro wave may help….but do it really slowly & use some sort of thermometer to ensure it’s not too hot….maybe check on line to see if there is any info how you should proceed.
Def only to be done with a thermometer!!It was only recommended as maybe providing a little relief - which it did while the hands were in it, nothing more!
Hilarity factor was high though, especially for the onlookers 😝
I was referred for wax baths for my hands, by my Rheumatologist. You coukd ask them if they offer this service in your hospital. I think it was with Occupational Therapy. I had 5 sessions. They are lovely and relaxing but not sure how much they help with pain.
I found wax baths for my hands very soothing. However, the effect didn't last long once I started having to use my hands again. I'm not a patient person and I found it fiddly to set up and boring (even listening to the radio, watching the birds, or listening to music). I thought the disadvantages outweighed the advantages for me.
I found support gloves more helpful - I mostly use the stretch ones with no ends to the fingers which I tried out from the occupational therapist as I find the splints difficult to take off.
Do you have access to a occupational therapist? I find they are the most help I have ever had.
I believe there is some evidence behind using them as a form of pain relief but not much more. Looking it up they used to be quite widely used on the NHS. My rheumatology nurse recommended at least trying it to see whether it would give a little relief with that being the only premise ie no magic healing properties or anything.
You can buy a machine but on Amazon they were £50-100. There are a few rheumatology department broschures recommending them/giving instructions that you can find online if you google.
I had a go melting some paraffin wax in a Bain Marie with a thermometer because I didn’t want to spend the money and to be honest it all took ages and was fiddly and handling the pots and the kettle was not what my joints need. As AgedCrone pointed out above don’t do this without a thermometer!!! When my hands were in the warm wet wax it really was perfect for the joints though and if I could just lie with my whole body suspended in it that would solve everything 🤣……
The moment the temperature dropped just a tiny bit though the effect wore off so no lasting effect at all sadly. That being said my hands are awful at the moment and if you have well controlled disease and a single complaining joint you may get more out of it?!
My hands now smell lovely though and it certainly kept me occupied and hubs amused all evening 🤣🤷🏼♀️…until he realised I couldn’t tidy my mess with hands covered in wax and wrapped in towels…
The kind of wax you need can be ordered from Boots. I can't remember the exact term used for it. I have used it a lot in the past and it gave me relief. The RA in my hands and wrists is very active and very painful again now and once I can get someone to go up into the loft to get my wax down I will be using it again. I used a large dish last time, but a bowl would do, and wrapped my hands and wrists in towels afterwards for up to half an hour. It warms up and eases the joints bringing some relief. It is important to do this prior to using the occupational putty (like a soft playdough) to exercise your joints by squeezing it. Hope the above is relevant and helpful. Take care.
Thank you, very helpful 😊 I ordered some from Amazon and was def very soothing while it was warm. Effect didn‘t last though. I hope you find some relief x
Thank you. My RA will ease again...in time! I've had so many bad bouts followed by good remissions that it helps me emotionally to hang onto the fact that this will be the case again! Bit tough at the moment, because my husband came home from hospital having had knee surgery on Thursday so I'm having to do a fair bit for him. Just glad he's had his op now, he's waited patiently for two years in a great deal of pain. Stay safe and I hope you get some relief soon.
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