Thumbs!!

[Constance13]

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.😂

[Hidden]

I was going to suggest an electric toothbrush, before l was on Pred l’d never have managed yo clean my teeth otherwise.

There’s usually good offers on at this time of the year.

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

Just looked them up on Am.... €150!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

Are you in France?

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

Germany! Their own (famous) make. Still, if it relieves the pain what is money??😏

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

Do you use Amazon? Have you looked on there?

In the UK they usually have Special Offers on, which is when l replace mine or buy new heads, otherwise they are expensive.

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

That was on Amazon. There were other, cheaper ones, but I like to stick to well known makes.

Have a peaceful weekend. Are you feeling any better now?

Hugs

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

I’ve pretty much shaken the cough off but the PMR is still raging despite 15mg Pred & 15mg Methotrexate, so l’m just chilling the best l can.....

Hope you’re not too bad despite the thumbs?

Take Care 🌷

Angela

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

Well! As the weather is so damp the other areas of my body are screaming!! (Seronegative Polyarthritis)!☹️

Not dead yet - so not 'really' complaining! Much!😂😂

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Hidden]

I have just bought oral b 650 for me and OH and paid 34.00 each on amazon

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

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.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Found an Oral B for €62. That'll do me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Can you put it against tax? We can ...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

No! Anyway not worth the bother!

[SheffieldJane]

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?

[Constance13 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Only on one of the Christmas days - usually I get my good 'helper' to do it, but over Christmas?!?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Using a knife or a Lancashire peeler?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I got my first electric toothbrush soon after PMR first appeared

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I've been lucky then. Thumbs and elbows were the last to join my arthritis. The PMR in wrist doesn't help either!☹️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

It was the wrists that were so bad, couldn't twist them to do the Dundee flick ...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

What the hell is a Dundee flick?😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

See, I just knew you'd ask that

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 ...

[Blearyeyed]

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 .

[Constance13 in reply to Blearyeyed]

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).

[Hidden]

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. 🤗

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

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.

Keep coping. Regards from Constance.💐🍀🍀

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

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.

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

I think I have tried every gell on the market and not one of them has helped.😂

I just stick with my cocodamol (only 3 or 4 per day/night).

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

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.

[Margaret1951]

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