I have the same problem although I am no longer able to work. I have not found a solution for it though.

I'm the same- both hands are actually increasing in pain, despite what I do. But, here's what I have found: ask Dr. about using Voltaren gel (it's pretty much Aleve, and I use it everywhere! It's awesome! Short-lived, of course, but what isn't? )
Also, my p.t. has given me stretches that are for the whole arm. Part of the pain, I think, is lack of nerve impulse to the area, and stretching the forearm and wrist consistently, can help a bit.
I don't take opiods anymore- they just don't work well enough for me- the best help for the hands is using plain naproxen. 2 of them.

All that said, I still have crazy pain there, am frustrated w/ it, & believe it's partly due to osteoarthrhitis, which can't really be helped anyway.
Good luck, and please share if you find any other help.

Since you have such bad knuckle pain I was wondering if you had a blood test for RA.

I think we all get cold easier then others, at least I do.

Thanks for the replies everyone -- its helpful to hear that I'm not the only one dealing w/this weird thing.

@Yongmom1, the Voltaren gel sounds promising...I'm about due for a visit to my rheumatologist, so I think I'll mention that to him.

@Magicpill: thanks for the advice. Fortunately, my doc already tested me for that, and thankfully I do not have RA.

This was one of the first things that I can remember, but I also have Raynaulds so you may want to get tested for that....fun test if you like keeping your hand in a bowl full of ice cubes and a little water for five minutes...just a warning.

You could cut the tips out of the gloves.

Also, thy have gloves made specifically to use with touch screens.

@susanb: What is Raynaulds? I have not heard of that...but that test does NOT sound fun. >:(

@Dixienme: That's a great idea! I think I'll try that.

I was also going to suggest Raynaulds as I've heard these symptoms described by those who have it.

I do not have it so going to have to leave it to others to give you more information.

My fingers get very stiff and painful but they don't bother me as much as the stiffness in my ankles after sitting too long or when I first wake up. I can barely walk to the bathroom in the morning. Have to walk like a duck because my ankles won't bend.

I get the same thing when I use my hands too much. They will hurt a little bit the rest of the day, but the next morning is the worst. My hands and feet go ice cold after 7pm or so, regardless if I've done a lot that day or not.

Try gloves without the fingers. Also, use a heat pack of some kind on your wrists (i have a small cloth covered one that has a Velcro strap)...that will warm the arterial blood that supplies your fingers and in turn will warm the rest of you.

When I was still working I typed 8 hours a day, during the winter months and summer when the AC was on I needed to were gloves. My fingers/hands & Toes/feet turn a nice color of purple if I allowed them to get too cold.

Below is the simplist answer I found by google(three different websites for the best answers):

What are the signs and symptoms of Raynaud disease?
Your fingers or toes may first turn pale when you are exposed to cold or stressful situations. Due to the decrease in blood supply, your fingers or toes may then turn blue and may feel cold and numb. As blood supply returns to your fingers or toes, they become bright red. This may cause tingling, throbbing, or pain. Additional signs and symptoms may be as follows:

Primary Raynaud: The color changes usually affect both hands or feet in the same way and at the same time. You may develop thick or tight skin and brittle nails. The structure of nail bed capillaries (small blood vessels) looks normal. Signs and symptoms are generally mild with primary Raynaud disease.


Secondary Raynaud: The color changes usually do not affect both hands or feet in the same way or at the same time. The structure of nail bed capillaries (small blood vessels) does not look normal. You may develop thick or tight skin and brittle nails. You may develop skin ulcers. If your fingers or toes go without blood for a long time, your skin may turn black and die. Signs and symptoms are generally more severe with secondary Raynaud.


Raynaud's (ray-NOHZ) disease is a condition that causes some areas of your body such as your fingers, toes, the tip of your nose and your ears to feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or stress

During an attack of Raynaud's, affected areas of your skin usually turn white at first. Then, the affected areas often turn blue, feel cold and numb, and your sense of touch is dulled. As circulation improves, the affected areas may turn red, throb, tingle or swell. The order of the changes of color isn't the same for all people, and not everyone experiences all three colors.

Occasionally, an attack affects just one or two fingers or toes. Attacks don't necessarily always affect the same digits. Although Raynaud's most commonly affects your fingers and toes, the condition can also affect other areas of your body, such as your nose, lips, ears and even nipples. An attack may last less than a minute to several hours.

People who have Raynaud's accompanied by another disease will likely also have signs and symptoms related to their basic underlying condition


Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by a pale to blue to red sequence of color changes of the digits, most commonly after exposure to cold.
Raynaud's phenomenon occurs because of spasm of blood vessels.

The cause of Raynaud's phenomenon is unknown, although abnormal nerve control of blood-vessel diameter and nerve sensitivity to cold are suspected of being involved.
Symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon depend on the severity, frequency, and duration of the blood-vessel spasm.
There is no blood test for diagnosing Raynaud's phenomenon.
Treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon involves protection of the digits, medications, and avoiding emotional stresses, smoking, cold temperature, and tools that vibrate the hands.

Raynaud's phenomenon most frequently affects women, especially in the second, third, or fourth decades of life.

People can have Raynauds phenomenon alone or as a part of other rheumatic diseases. When it occurs alone, it is referred to as "Raynaud's disease" or primary Raynaud's phenomenon. When it accompanies other diseases, it is called secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.

Hope this helps, I tried different Calcium channel blockers as a treatment but found I and bad reactions from them. Other treatments are Vasodilators (high blood pressure drugs) but since my blood pressure is low I was afriad to try them.

I also need to stay away from:

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) cold drugs. Examples include drugs that contain pseudoephedrine (Chlor-Trimeton, Sudafed).

Beta blockers. This class of drugs, used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, includes metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard) and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL).

Since my hubby has gone to Doctor Stop and yes this is the Doctor real name....I need not worry avout Birth control pills.
But if you use birth control pills, you may wish to switch to another method of contraception because these drugs affect your circulation and may make you more prone to attacks.

Sorry if this was long but wanted the most information, as always ask and see your Doctor!

Wow...thanks for all the info Susanb....I'll bring it up w/my doc next time I see him.

Have you been tested for Lupus, it has those symptoms that affect the joints also like arthrtis and cold also