RA in thumbs?

[IdasMum]

Hello,

I am not sure if I have posted here before.

I have RA (diagnosed on the back of Polymyalgia Rheumatica) in 2022.

I am still taking steroids (9mg per day) even though my inflammation levels have reduced, it takes a long time to come off them.

I have been on Methotrexate for 5+ years and changed from oral to injections 2 years ago. 17.5 and 20mg on alternate weeks.

My RA is just in my hands (I think and hope). Initially my index and middle finger on my right hand, then on my left.

Can you have it in thumbs? I can see no fluid sacs at the base of my thumbs but my thumbs recently have been agonising. Even at rest, I cannot get them comfortable. My thumbs are often weak and let me down when I am trying to perform daily living tasks.

I take regular analgesia, paracetamol, Ibuprofen (not meant to but it helps so much) and when things are really bad I take the equivalent of Co-Codamol. I also wear compression gloves on and off which do help.

I know my RA is not as bad as many others, my heart goes out to those who have been suffering for so many years.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope you have some useful info for me.

[Poh51]

hi! it happen in my thumb on the right side too. sometime it no hurt sometime it hurt.

[helenlw7]

I have RA in both my thumbs, sometimes so painful it makes me cry! On a good day movement is quite good, but on a bad day it’s very limited. I’ve had steroid injections in both thumbs, which helps for a while. I find compression gloves help, also resting my hands on a hot water bottle.

[Fruitandnutcase]

My thumbs were one of the first places to hurt and they can be pretty weak at times.. I take hydroxychloroquine and like you I top up with paracetamol and the occasional codeine and ibuprofen but I try to avoid doing that. Mine don’t look swollen or anything they just ache - a lot.

[IdasMum]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have an appointment with my rheumatologist in 2 weeks. I will be sure to emphasise the thumb issue, I had a sense she didn't take it on board.

I'm in France, so there are language gaps on both sides which is a pain. I am determined this time to be heard!

[Jackie1947]

If I get a flare up that's when my thumb reacts. Otherwise the bones in other fingers have eroded over time and hurt most of the time

[welsh12]

I have painful thumbs or they ache at diagnosis it was the index finger

[whitedog]

Hi

It flared up in the base of my thumbs this year and also my wrists, knee and shoulders. My grip was quite bad at one point but a little better after a couple of steroid jabs.

The pain tends to move around though.

[Chester1975]

Hello

You can have it in your thumbs. I do. I suffer badly with RA with my wrists, hands and fingers. It also periodically affects the arches of my feet, elbows and knee.

It can basically affect any joint in the whole of the body.

I hope it resolves soon and settles down a bit for you.

☺️☀️

[Hopeful1]

After my RA diagnosis back in 2010 I was referred, I think to occupational therapist who made me a plaster splint to sleep in overnight and recommended a brace like the picture for daytime. I bought it from a disability aid shop and it really helped.

Thumb support

[Greengodes]

Hello IdasMum, my thumbs were the first of my digits to show signs of RA. I woke and they were in pain and I couldn’t bend them. I also couldn’t touch my little finger with them. By noon I could use them as normal but they were still painful. When I was taken off MTX in September, once again they were the first part of my body to have pain and stiffness.

[davannh]

My RA has badly affected my hands (and wrists, elbows, knees, and feet) I have had surgery on my fingers in the past but most recently I had a series of injections into the joints of my hands and it has been a game changer. Not sure how long it will last but so far so good. The injections are a bit uncomfortable but they are soon over and the results are worth it.

[MerielPB]

RA can attack any joint. Both of my thumbs are deformed from my RA.

[IdasMum]

Thanks again all of you above ☝️

I think I have been/am lucky. Maybe the steroids and the Methotrexate perscribed for PMR has protected me from eroding my joints. I am not seeing any deformity in my hands (of note), just swelling beneath index and middle finger. Other joints seem okay apart from left big toe which sometimes feels like Gout (has been over last couple of days ) and is looking like it's turning as if I'd worn ill fitting shoes (which I haven't ever). I have a podiatary appointment on Thursday which might help me understand what's going on there.

I am sorry so many of you are in pain, and so disabled.

Thanks Hopeful1 , I'll look on Amazon. It looks like it could really help me when I am trying to cook and not drop stuff.