Is it extremely swollen? Sounds like the tendons are severly inflamed. Have you called your rheumatologist yet?

Yes, I've experienced that in differing degrees. The first time I had a flare in my wrist was the worst. I couldn't move my fingers at all, and it hurt like the dickens to put any pressure on my fingers. Fortunately, it only lasted a couple of days. It was before I had a rheumy, and by the time I got in to see the doctor, it was gone. If it is not responding to anything you have, call your rheumy.

Right now, I am experiencing a more localized flare in my wrist, at the base of my thumb. It has been going on for about 3 months, so I've been wondering if it has gone on to be something else. Carpal tunnel? It gets worse during the night. It wakes me up, when I turn over and I try to grab the sheets to keep them in place. Using my thumb, after it hasn't been used for a while, is very painful. I see my rheumy next week, so will ask.

Bottom line in answer to your question, yes. :-) Heat seems to help, but doesn't make it go away.

I have had something like that happen to me. If it is really swollen I would take a picture for you Dr. My dr gave me steroid shots in my wrist. It hurt like H--- for two days then magically it was pain free and my hand worked again. If you can try to see the Dr. sooner. It will get worse believe me.....

This happened to me a couple times early on - before I knew about RA and 2 years before I was diagnosed.

Wrist so swollen I couldn't move it - red and hot. Regular doc diagnosed it as an infection - a strong anti-biotic and it was gone in 3 days.

A month later the same with my shoulder - hurt so bad at night I didn't know if I was having a heart attack or something. Doc diagnosed it as Bursitis - a strong anit-inflammatory and it was gone in 3 days.

During the next year this happened to different joints about once a month. Instead of going to the doc every time, I just waited it out. Yep - 3 days and it was gone each time with no meds. Ahh - a pattern starting.......

Went through that for 1.5 years until I finally listened to my doc and went to a Rheumatologist. The rest of the story you can guess........

That's what happens when I have a severe hit-&run flare caused by eating a food I have strong allergy too. Only thing that helps besides time for it to calm down - is prednisone.

Its inflammation, pure and simple. If you can't id a flare food cause, you'll need to discuss med options with rheumy.

I had this happen early on. First it was one wrist and then the other. Then it migrated from joint to joint, shoulders, elbows, knees etc. Would only last about 36 hours and then be gone like nothing happened. By the time I would get to the doc it would be gone. So I took pictures and I still take pictures so I can show the doctor what goes on in between appointments.

oh yes, happens every dang time i get off my diet. happened this past weekend when i gave in to gorging on glazed doughnuts. went beck to the normal diet, took anti-inflamms (generic mobic, 1/day) sun-tues, forced as movement in hand and wrist as possible, drank lots of water...on wed right hand started in three fingers but the diet was by then corrected and the body pretty clean so by wed night back to normal.

my earliest warning sign of too much straying from diet is the ease in popping my knuckles loudly...if i don't heed that and continue cheating then BOOM! just as you describe. hate to say it but it'll most likely mirror on your other side very soon.

Happened to me early on too. Felt like someone hit my hand with a hammer and it would blow up like a balloon & turn bright red. The pain was incredible & I couldn't move it at all. I'd scream if anything even touched it. The worst was over in about 12-24hrs then I'd wrap it in an ace bandage until the swelling went down. But each time was about 3days. Really wish I'd known to take pics back then. My rheumy just made me feel crazy when I told her about it. Pictures would've definitely helped.

Would placing your hand in warm water help? I would definitely be calling my Rheumatologist.

Same thing for me early on. Was diagnosed as tendonitis since xrays were negative. Surgeon who did my carpel tunnel told me not to do heavy lifting or anything else that seemed to trigger it. Now I realize that it was the RA. Having a minor flare in my right wrist right now. We actually had a nice day last weekend (snow predicted for Monday!) and I was trimming plants in the yard. Swelled up the next day, but not too painful. Hope you can get in to the Dr. soon.

Yep first sign of RA for me. Only didn't realize it then.
EMG indicted carpel tunnel.
Anti inflammatory & a good brace for day & another for night seemed to help.
Of course know now it was RA mixed with neuropathy from spinal.
Very painful.
I've also learned to take pictures. Only way I could show my doctor the changes between appointments.
I'd call the dr.
Sammy