This is mostly arthritis but as PMR is also involved (shoulders and upper arms) I don't think I'm off-piste.
I never thought about thumbs until I got really aggressive arthritis in them. For the last week I have been struggling to clean my teeth. whoever would have thought that cleaning teeth could be sooo painful! I had difficult over the holidays peeling potatoes and chopping veg, but this??
Just another little ailment to disturb my peace in 2020! Think it's time to think about an electric toothbrush.😂
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Constance13
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Don't be daft - there is a whole range and it sounds as if that is the all singing all dancing top of the range version. Look in a supermarketor pharmacy - the battery handle is much the same for them all, its the add-ons that cost more. I pay between 20 and 60 euros for an OralB, the pharmacy is a bit more than the supermarket but the supermarket has sales every so often.
Poor you! Just like big toes, really important. Now is a good time to invest in an electric toothbrush. I got a good one in the sale, for £20.00 in Waitrose, local supermarket, with spare brush heads. No pressure required to clean your teeth. I hope this settles down. My arthritic spots seem to take it in turns to give trouble. Perhaps you’ve done too much of the peeling, scraping and chopping?
The Dundee dental hospital did studies on the most effective way to brush your teeth with a normal brush: you should twist your wrist backwards and forwards like using a screwdriver so the head of the brush flicked up and down the surface of the tooth to remove any bits and plaque rather than moving the brush head sideways. Having done one tooth, you moved the brush head to the next tooth ...
Are you getting help for the Arthritis in the Thumbs from the GP , Rheumatologist or elsewhere as well?
Gadgets are great but I also know that you can get loads of gadgets , supports and assistance for free via the NHS or other countries Occupational Health Services.
It's definitely worth asking to be referred to Occupational Therapy to get this help.
They may also help you with some appropriate exercises , or exercise gloves and finger gadgets that you can use each day to increase your joint and muscle strength.
My waterproof ' Arthritic ' compression gloves are very useful when I cook or use art equipment .
Plus , adding the new symptoms on your Medical records is also very helpful especially if you want to show that these symptoms aren't new to your Medical History when it comes to the time that you might want to request a Blue Parking Badge or get Motobility assistance with your Car .
All in hand! I have splints, tubular bandages, arthrisis gloves (3 pairs) top of fingers clear, etc etc.😊 Our health system is very good here in Germany.
My OH says it takes me longer to get dressed for bed than most women take when going out for the evening.😂😂
I had to give up driving when I was 72 (when PMR joined my arthritis).
Can relate. My osteoarthritis is the worst in hands. For years it was mostly my neck. Then PMR. ( connection?) Rt thumb has bone spur as well, both hurt and stiff constantly and I’m very limited in use. Print everything , no fine motor skills. Does take time and effort to brush teeth. Using manual but might have to ck out electric. Am wondering if will get worse as pred dose lowers? Doesn’t it help a bit? Please share if you get relief from something. My best. 🤗
In the evenings I sit with a beanbag across my hands (under a tea towel). I warm it up about three times then abandon it. I've got different coloured arthritic gloves - tops of which are free - one white one pink during the day, grey and brown when I go out.
I'm on 4mg pred. I've been on pred for 8 years (started on 40mg). It's difficult to say sometimes what is PMR and what is arthritis. However, age has a lot to do with it- and it's a well known fact that arthritis gets worse as you get older.😏
My handwriting is dreadful, I use my pad as much as I can.
My GP prescribed ‘Phorpain Gel’ for my knees (it’s ibuprofen) it actually helped a lot but it is something l have to live with as my knees were damaged by Chemo, l had Surgery on both knees when l was a Teenager, my knee caps used to sublutate ie dislocate & then go back 😱
You could ask your GP or Pharmacist if something like that would be helpful for your thumbs.
Recall my mom having same with hands. Why didn’t she ever complain?Oh, the getting old is no joy, but then again, my 94 yr old friend has very little. Depends on the hand ( no pun) you’re dealt.
Bless you, I have it bad in my index finger and joint first time ever so know how you feel. Have you thought about the gloves for arthritis ? I got 3 pairs off eBay and they do help. Also I have a wax bath, and it covers all your hand like a glove. It sure does feel lovely while the warmth is there, it is a good investment also, again off eBay. Good luck x
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