Swollen hands and wrists when walking

[Pink75928]

Hi all. Just a quick question. I’ve been trying to get my steps up and have noticed I consistently get swollen hands and wrists when walking and the following day get pain in these areas. Does anyone else get this and know the science behind it? Xxx

[helixhelix]

I used to get that! Quite alarming! But seems it’s nothing significant amd waving my arms around from time to time do seem to stop it happening.

mayoclinic.org/hand-swellin...

[MrsSBJ]

I get it too, as well as swollen fingers in the mornings. It was much much worse at the start of Rh A., and still seems worse when I’m not so well. I did think it was an inflammatory symptom-but maybe not? I haven’t found another explanation.

[Hidden]

Yep me mentioned to rheumatologist who just shrugged his shoulders and said no idea 🤷

[Pink75928 in reply to Hidden]

That’s helpful!!

[oldtimer2]

It's common to get swollen hands and wrists when running (not that most of us do much of that!). Runners sometimes wear (compression) gloves to try to prevent it. It's thought that exercise increases blood flow to your heart and lungs, as well as to the muscles you're working. This can reduce blood flow to your hands, making them cooler. In turn, the blood vessels in your hands may react by opening wider — which could lead to hand swelling.

[HallySim]

I get the same thing, its really hot and uncomfortable isn't it. I've ended up favouring lightweight, natural fabrics were possible, and trying not to get too extreme hot or cold. I carry a metal water bottle too to cool myself and my hot, fat hands down!

[Amnesiac3637]

I get this every time I overdo it by going too far and wearing myself out. I think it’s my bod saying ‘er, don’t like this much’. My fingers swell and my hands get painful and sometimes that goes on until the next day and then they go back to what classes as normal in anyone with RA. I can see from the Mayo Clinic man how that works in people who don’t have swollen joints anyway but it doesn’t make much sense if you have an inflammatory condition. Only my take on how I get affected but I know when I’ve done too much!

[vonniesims]

My fingers would swell when I did a long walk

[Mmrr]

I've had 'sausage fingers' for years whilst walking, a long time prior to my RA diagnosis. It resolves quickly by holding my hands up and moving them around. It is annoying, but nothing to worry about I believe.

[Mjmushkin]

Yes my hands swell when I go on long walks , so does my husband’s and he hasn’t got RA. I also read that lifting/ waving your hands above your heart while walking helps .

[smilelines]

Just wondering if your hands get swollen and if they feel super stiff as well. My hands feel way more stiff after exercise than before exercise. Last weekend when I was doing lots the ends of my fingers actually turned blue.

[Mandalou]

I used to get this when walking and apparently eating a banana before exercise helps. Something to do with the Potassium in the banana. Put it this way a banana if you aren’t allergic, won’t do any harm. However, anything that is an unusual sign or symptom should be checked by a medical professional of course.

Mx