how to reduce pain in fingers without Methotraxate? Update

[kulina]

So after using small amounts of NSAID cream for painful fingers, about 2 months ago I started using ice again and my pain disappeared. Was it the ice or was it just the time for the pain to subside? I don't know but I have been completely pain free for about 2 months. Since June I have been walking about 2 miles a day, doing low impact aerobics and slowly reducing to 2.75 mg Pred. I just recently had an appointment with my doctor and my tests came back perfect. I told him I felt great, something I haven't felt in 6 years and what does he say? Let's try Methotraxate because you might have seronegative RA. Of course I said NO, I won't take medication with it's own side effects if I feel fine. I get so disappointed, it's almost like he wants me to be on some kind of medication. I lied and told him that if the pain come back I'll think about it and made an appointment in 6 months so I don't have to see him for a while. Apologies for the rant but this is so frustrating. As always thank you for all your support.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What evidence does he have it might be RA? I want more than finger pain - I have sore hands, not the slightest mention it might be RA here!

[kulina in reply to PMRpro]

Exactly! That's what I said.

[nallufl24]

my fingers hurt a lot. I have osteoarthritis. I don’t have RA. Tylenol or any kind of pain reliever makes it go away so I don’t why he would think you have RA

[powerwalk]

oh i could feel that disappointing, annoyed jolt!! Lets just take Met for nothing! Rant away! Hope you keep painfree.

[kulina in reply to powerwalk]

Thank you!

[Sallyaches]

Hi Kulina, I have found the following helps with sore and stiff hands;

There are fairly tight fitting gloves sold for arthritis, you do need the correct size but I find they seem to offer support and keep the joints warm

My rheumatologist recommended bathing your hands in hot water and then applying ibuprofen gel, this works but only on my hands where the joint is close to the surface.

Best wishes

[kulina in reply to Sallyaches]

Thank you for your advice. I tried the gloves numerous times and it made the pain worse. Go figure! Do the gloves make the pain worse if it's bursitis (fluid)? I don't know. I'm not even bringing that to my doctor, he'll look at me like I have 3 heads. I agree with the second part. I dipped my hands in hot water and then cold and back an forth and that seemed to help for a while. Icing helped too.

[Wallysma]

HI kulina. I have a q about your hands. I have bad carpal in both wrists, and osteo arthritis, and one flare in 2015 of RA. My hands hurt a lot. Bbutbwhen I was diagnosed with PMR they were my worst symptoms

. They were huge and felt like knives were being shoved in them. I thought I was having another RA flare. Then my new rheumy diagnosed PMR based on labs, the full set of new symptoms. They have stayed a bit swollen..sometimes Mickey Mouse size. The worst pain went away with the pred. They hurt but....

so do you hands hurt like he'll in the cold? I gor example cannot tolerate touching anything in the freezer....I have gloves nearby. But when I go out in winter I could cry while driving (if I was having a sissy day). So when I read you use ice I was curious exactly how, how often, anything you want to share. Do you use heat too? I will take any advice.

thank you ....good luck on your journey. My doc wants me on methotrexate as well but I am just beginning. But if you.don't have symptoms why risk it.

be well.

[kulina in reply to Wallysma]

Thank you for your thoughts. I've had PMR for 6 years and this is a new symptom for me, it started about 6 months ago with pain and sometimes they were swollen and it hurt to bend them. X-rays don't show osteo arthritis nor carpal and it's been summer here so I'm not sure if I will have pain as the weather gets colder. So far still no pain, sometimes I only have pain at the base of my thumbs but not like it used to be.

[Wallysma in reply to kulina]

well regardless of the why....I know how awful hand pain can be...and how difficult it is to do much of anything. I hope you stay pain free. I hope you are able to avoid the methotrexate....oh this disease us exhausting. Take good care. Be well.

[kulina in reply to Wallysma]

I agree, it is exhausting and yes I will avoid methotraxate like the plague. I've been saying no to it for 6 years now. I see no reason to say yes, now that I feel so much better. Thank you Wallysma, you take care as well.

[Wallysma]

dang....that's a good idea! A heated steering wheel.....It was not an option but I was able to get heated seats....which is a good thing. You can always put your cold hands under your warm bum......

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wallysma]

Not too handy when you are supposed to be driving

[Wallysma in reply to PMRpro]

oh yeah...there is that. Hmmm. Need to think about this.

🖐️

[Wallysma]

no...no trigger fingers. I think the PMR just makes everything worse or wonky. Inflammation does that so....others have had issues with their hands from the PMR. have seen where a doc might say...well that's not PMR.. it doesn't affect your hands.....oy. For me it made something worse. It was just part of a picture. Electrical shocks to your face...cannot imagine one let alone pairs? I think if I got a shock to my face right now I would lose it. You have to explain that it sounds horrendous.

[Wallysma]

I cannot imagine. I am glad they did something but.....I don't know what to say. That is frightening. I would have done a lot more than cry. You have so much going on. I am glad that's not on the list anymore.

take care!