So many little joints in wrists/hands

[Elmo333]

You don’t realise how many tiny bones there are in the wrist/hands until you have RA! The pain and inflammation has been moving from one to the next for 2 weeks, very frustrating. It’s my own fault though because I was pretty stable on mtx and hydroxychloroquine so I decided to stop the hyx about 3 months ago which I think may have been a big mistake! CRP 40, ESR 50 so a bit higher than usual. We live and learn!

[Sheila_G]

Do we? 😄 I am afraid I don't as far as RA is concerned. The hands are all bones. I can't believe how excrutiatingly painful a little finger can be. I don't think anyone else can either. When I say it it sounds pathetic and I am sure people are saying "really!" They have no idea do they?

[Hidden]

Keep taking the drugs!! You know this already, but RA is a chronic condition. Just celebrate when you feel well. Deep heat and compression gloves help relieve poorly hands x Doing that myself today.. wrapped far too many presents 🎄

[Elmo333 in reply to Hidden]

I wrapped lots of presents the other day so maybe that’s why they hurt. It is often completely random so I forget to try to find patterns. Nearly finished the wrapping now. Hope yours recover quickly!

[Hidden in reply to Elmo333]

Feeling much better today thank you x

[Haz58 in reply to Hidden]

I’m stuck in my bedroom as the living room is being extended. Yesterday I stupidly held my iPad too much with my left hand…got in bed last night, shooting pain in my middle and ring finger 🤦‍♀️ Very painful this morning. CBD gel and compression gloves today. Will I ever remember the 30 minutes rule as my physio therapist told me as far as my hands go 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to Haz58]

Book rest needed x I know… It’s been 11 years for me, and my brain pathways are still in revolt!

[Flipflop58 in reply to Haz58]

Hi can I ask what the 30 minute rule is concerning your hands. I work 9-5 pm on a computer and hands, knuckles and wrists swell so much and so painful that I run out of fingers I can type with. I worry that I am doing myself more damage continuing or will accelerate it.

[Haz58 in reply to Flipflop58]

Hi flip flop. I’ve been told to just do 30 minutes of gardening, decorating, anything really where I use my hands then rest then for 30 minutes or change what I am doing as repetitive movements or grasping for a longer time irritates my fingers and I will get pain/swelling. After yesterday forgetting this rule I’m paying for it today so now I know she was talking sense. I really don’t think I could do what you do anymore. Luckily I’m retired now. She also said if it’s hot pain use cold and of cold pain use heat. Have you seen a physiotherapist about your hands and wrists? I was referred by the rheumatologist. I have weird splints that the physio made me to wear in bed to keep my fingers at the right angle. I thought they’d be difficult to sleep in but they are a godsend. I also wear them sometime while I’m sitting watching tv as they are so comfy I’ve attached a pic of what they are.

Night time hand splint.

[Flipflop58 in reply to Haz58]

Hi Haz 58 thank you for replying to me as I can’t seem to get an answer to this question. I was diagnosed June 21 and initially in denial, initially had RA nurse and physio appointments but all cancelled due covid , I thought I could manage with self help supplements and yoga but finally had to take time off and admit needed help 5 weeks ago. as was in extreme pain 24/7

I have been on Hydroxy for 5 weeks, much better when pacing myself but if do any repetitive task stir a pot, iron or spend 15 mins scrolling through my phone for example fingers knuckles wrists just as bad

Methotrexate likely introduced shortly

Other joints are affected as well but it’s my hands I need to do my job I have spoke to occupational heath who will arrange keyboard and diff type of mouse when return to work, but I can’t see that resolving issue.

I just worry if I will accelerate the condition if you know what I mean

Now I have accepted that I do have RA I want to slow the progress.

Think I need find a role that doesn’t involve using a computer

I saw those splints online and compression gloves, thank you

[Haz58 in reply to Flipflop58]

Your welcome Flipflop. I was ‘officially’ diagnosed on 2nd August but my doctor put it on my records a year before that. Took me a while to get a rheumatologist appointment. I been having to have steroid injections because of flu jab, covid booster and the pneumonia jab plus a crown falling out and a chest infection 🤦‍♀️ Not been a good couple of months 🤷‍♀️ So due to start MTX again in the new year. The injections have made such a difference to me, until 3 months later when the swelling and pan comes back. I hope you can get help. It’s a horrid pan to have and struggle though the day with. I also tried all the gels, creams etc I could find. But the injections have saved my sanity for now. Take care and merry Christmas. Xx

[Flipflop58 in reply to Haz58]

You have had a bad year too. Feels like have broken hands and broken feet The diagnosis is a lot to take on board, pacing myself and stopping any repetitive activity when pain gets too bad I can deal with but the prospect of returning to working all day on a computer fills me with horror. Just need see once meds kick in., early days

Thank you for your support and hope you feel better in the New Year, have a lovely Christmas xx

[Gitaga]

HiBelieve me I know.

So I use a hand/wrist brace which limits movement a bit.

My Rheumatologist prescribed them for me

I do have lots of relief using this contraption.

Hope this helps.

Still on meds though

[Elmo333 in reply to Gitaga]

Yes hand splints are very helpful!

[allanah]

Poor you , ouch ! Yep drugs are annoying but they help

[Elmo333 in reply to allanah]

Very true!

[Green230461]

Lots of bones to allow you to wave! Happy Christmas 🎄

[ISAWAL]

I have taken methotrexate and hydroxychlorine for more than 6 years. I rarely have flare ups now. I would advise restarting your hydroxy. I swear by it!!

[Elmo333]

Yes I restarted it yesterday. It’s a great combo for me, I’m just an idiot and always trying to knock medications off the long list of my pills! I almost always regret it! X

[Hidden in reply to Elmo333]

I’ve just given in now… I used to be very ‘anti-meds’ before RA (never anti-vax I hasten to add!). Now I take 100 a week!!

[nomoreheels]

Ooo, now you know & I hope it doesn’t take too long before you're back on track. I'm bracing myself for trouble as I’m starting wrapping tonight. I recently bought some compression gloves so I'm hoping they'll help somewhat otherwise I'll just have to pace myself. As long as they're done for Christmas Eve. Not only the bones in the hand but the foot too, that's only one less!! Sometimes I swear I can feel each & every one. 🥲

[Blodynhaul]

Totally empathise. My hands are chronically dreadful, so much chronic pain this year with meds not working (just started new JAK & High Hopes!). The hands, like you say, have so many little bones etc, every one can feel broken & with electric daggers. Fingers & hands & wrists all together doing it & so tight & can't put them anywhere for relief, except the cold tap just for a minute. Agony & at worst unable to do a thing, lift, grip, move, use for anything, can't even type like this.

Some days the thumbs & certain fingers on knuckles or mid-joints, with top of hand swellings by the wrist utter agony, then others come bad & other ease and so it goes. Get frequent trigger fingers/locking, can't close a fist, fingers won't bend or straighten, go very red if trying to use them and so on. And that's together with so many other joints flared the same time. Even when the meds were generally working, I'd still have a lot of time with hands so deeply aching & painful to do things.

Sorry you stopped the hydro when it was working. Tempting to do as no one likes being on more nasty drugs than necessary. Hope you can get back better again. Good Luck. I'm having a moan with you now! Sorry Elmo! I'm no help!

[meadow-mogs]

I was on mtx and hydroxychloroquine for 5years. I became intolerant to both, loosing a day a week and my mind was getting more and more cloudy. Earlier this year I came off both and have been on Leflunomide for over 3 months. I don't think it is working. Now the RA seems to be in my hands, shoulders and feet.

Anyone else on leflunomide?