Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Before I go any further... YES I have made an appointment with my doctor, but I am not a patient person and have been driving myself nuts.
I've dealt with mild arthritis for a number of years and a couple doses of ibuprofin or naproxen generally tamed it down. Over the last month or so, the swelling, stiffness, and pain has quickly increased to the point that I had to stop taking those anti-inflamatories because my stomach just can't handle them anymore. I've iced, heated, I've rested, I've used creams... nothing. No effect at all on my hands.
The last 2 weeks have been unbearable (yes, I have waited this long to make the call). My joints have literally been swollen since last Tuesday. I wake up sore, the day is spent sore. Ice only seems to freeze my skin while the swelling continues to burn. We had a change in the weather with lower humidity and air pressure, which usually would mean no swelling... no such luck this time.
In talking with the nurse who made the appointment, my mom, and my friends they have all come to the conclusion that I need to be checked out for RA. Now, I'm a researcher when it comes to learning about something new, so that is what I have done. My hopes were to find too much of a disconnect between how I feel and the documented symptoms. No such luck so far. One thing that documentation doesn't tell me is WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. So here I am.
I know y'all are not doctors, but you deal with this personally. I have not had pain like this in my hands before. I also have a visual of what I believe RA should look like, but apparently my vision is in the later stages of it.
Please tell me if this is what it feels like...
Each JOINT has it's own pain. My hands and the first set of knuckles are swollen to the point of looking like I have pudgy hands with dimples. Just touching the swollen area is excruciating. As I said before, nothing seems to work to reduce the swelling. Cold temporarily helps with the pain, but not the swelling. I've gone over a checklist for Carpal Tunnel (since I spend most of my work day typing) and Most of those symptoms I do not have. Within the last couple days, my elbows, upper spine, feet, ankles and knees have begun this dull ache makinig it impossible to get comfortable.
I've gone from typing 70wpm to hunt and pecking within the last month. My husband has started opening and closing the car door for me because it feels like I may rip my hand off if I pull too hard and my fingers just bring tears to my eyes. I have to hit the turn signal and shift gears with my wrist. I can't open my water bottle, a pen cap and threw my drink out the van because I couldn't get the straw open. I drop things constantly. Saying grace last night (we hold hands around the table), tears squeezed out when my friend held too tightly.
As it is, I'm on Pristiq, levothyroxine, and protonix with a strict 'no narcotic' block on my medical records... not sure what else to do and wake up each day wishing my appointment was that morning.
I'm driving myself nuts, but with no relief I'm scrambling for some 'home remedy' or something that is going to work until I see my dr. Does anyone have any thoughts, opinions, suggestions?
Thx
I've dealt with mild arthritis for a number of years and a couple doses of ibuprofin or naproxen generally tamed it down. Over the last month or so, the swelling, stiffness, and pain has quickly increased to the point that I had to stop taking those anti-inflamatories because my stomach just can't handle them anymore. I've iced, heated, I've rested, I've used creams... nothing. No effect at all on my hands.
The last 2 weeks have been unbearable (yes, I have waited this long to make the call). My joints have literally been swollen since last Tuesday. I wake up sore, the day is spent sore. Ice only seems to freeze my skin while the swelling continues to burn. We had a change in the weather with lower humidity and air pressure, which usually would mean no swelling... no such luck this time.
In talking with the nurse who made the appointment, my mom, and my friends they have all come to the conclusion that I need to be checked out for RA. Now, I'm a researcher when it comes to learning about something new, so that is what I have done. My hopes were to find too much of a disconnect between how I feel and the documented symptoms. No such luck so far. One thing that documentation doesn't tell me is WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. So here I am.
I know y'all are not doctors, but you deal with this personally. I have not had pain like this in my hands before. I also have a visual of what I believe RA should look like, but apparently my vision is in the later stages of it.
Please tell me if this is what it feels like...
Each JOINT has it's own pain. My hands and the first set of knuckles are swollen to the point of looking like I have pudgy hands with dimples. Just touching the swollen area is excruciating. As I said before, nothing seems to work to reduce the swelling. Cold temporarily helps with the pain, but not the swelling. I've gone over a checklist for Carpal Tunnel (since I spend most of my work day typing) and Most of those symptoms I do not have. Within the last couple days, my elbows, upper spine, feet, ankles and knees have begun this dull ache makinig it impossible to get comfortable.
I've gone from typing 70wpm to hunt and pecking within the last month. My husband has started opening and closing the car door for me because it feels like I may rip my hand off if I pull too hard and my fingers just bring tears to my eyes. I have to hit the turn signal and shift gears with my wrist. I can't open my water bottle, a pen cap and threw my drink out the van because I couldn't get the straw open. I drop things constantly. Saying grace last night (we hold hands around the table), tears squeezed out when my friend held too tightly.
As it is, I'm on Pristiq, levothyroxine, and protonix with a strict 'no narcotic' block on my medical records... not sure what else to do and wake up each day wishing my appointment was that morning.
I'm driving myself nuts, but with no relief I'm scrambling for some 'home remedy' or something that is going to work until I see my dr. Does anyone have any thoughts, opinions, suggestions?
Thx
For the ice, wrap a damp cool towel around your hand and either hold a bag of frozen peas either in your palm or on the back of the hurt place - The thin towel will hopefully keep the ice from freezing the top layer as you describe. For heat, same thing.
I take MTX and folic for my RA and I read that you are not sure what you're dealing with as yet so never mind my stuff.
Welcome and glad you are here and really sorry you had to join with us.
Others on this group are much more savvy than me so I'll stand back and let them provide their suggestions.
Peace and Rest Well
Bluedogs2
Sorry your going through this.
I'm no expert but sure sounds like could be RA.
The doctor needs to do the blood work & if you haven't already try prednisone you need to try it sooner then later.
As doctors watch how you respond to it. As nasty the drug can be its a huge help with RA.
Any thing else you've noticed? Exhaustion can big problem, so is the immune system. Getting sick very easy.
Besides prednisone stronger anti inflammatories help, watch for stomach issues.
I use High end essential oils at times like young living. I'm sure other know of different brands. Deep relief is a good oil blend for pain. I brace my hands also that helps at time. Of course moist heat & ice.
If you could get the doctor to try that prednisone you may be a step a head.
Any reason for narcotic block? I know not everyone can take them but if the pain is really messing with your quality of life they can help even short term.
Not sure if I was of any help but I do wish you the best of luck.
Sammy
They are going to do bloodwork when I go in.
Exhaustion is the norm for me. I get very little sleep at night and what I do get is not restful. Also, I am always getting sick... been that way since I was a kid. The big joke is if there is a bug going around in the next state, I will catch it.
The block is on to prevent a prescription relapse, though we're getting to the point where the prescription may go to one of my accountability people to dispense if there is no other alternative.
Isn't prednisone for asthma?
Krimzyn- so sorry to hear about your suffering! I don't have too much swelling myself, so I can't relate to that - but the pain, yes, I can relate to that 100%. I'm with the others regarding the Prednisone - it was the first thing that took my pain away nearly overnight. It was my rheumatologist's frontline treatment during the diagnosis phase. Unfortunately it's not a long-term treatment, but for kicking RA's pain and swelling to the curb initially, it is unrivaled.
To answer your question about how it "feels" - well I can't speak for others, but for myself - I know I've had RA for years, and what it feels like when flaring is profound fatigue to the point of being ill - being in bed all day long; throbbing deep pains in several joints - sometimes to the point of making me just collapse (I have it very badly in my hip joints). When my hands are affected, I cannot make a proper "grip" - like coffee mug, door handles, and so on.
I can still type at least 70wpm - and writing and typing are my favorite things - but my hands fingers do hurt badly at night - sometimes to the point of waking me up. I ALWAYS wake up with many, many joints hurting so badly I keep a cane by the bed so I can make it to the bathroom.
Fatigue and pain are my overwhelming symptoms.
You will hear many different experiences here, just sharing my own.
My advice is to REST and not push yourself at all right now. Treat yourself as kindly as you would someone you love dearly, if that makes sense. : )
I wish you the BEST of luck with your upcoming appointment - please keep us posted and know that no matter what, you are NOT alone - we understand!
Thank you, Scarlett. I always thought RA was a "hands only" condition, but I'm finding that a lot of my aches and pains seems to fall in line. I habitually ignore how I'm feeling and disregard most aches, pains, or overall bad feelings as "stress" or "the weather." Apparently a habit I need to get out of.
The Pristiq does interact badly with many other medications, however I've been in recovery for addiction for the last year which is why there is a block on my records. I put that there myself to prevent me from trying to work the system. Only one of my support people AND my husband can remove it (has to be two people). This is another reason I disregard most of my physical issues because it's very easy for me to create an excuse to take something. I can't manufacture the swelling that's going on straight through the night, especially when others are watching to make sure I eat and drink properly.
I'm terrified of being prescribed anything, but at the same time I've had it with this pain and virtual immobility. I'm not a slow, take my time sort of person. Usually I'm go-go-go and if my body isn't, my mind is.
I gave in and took another Aleve today. I have a lot of work to get done and can't leave early like I did yesterday.
Thank you very much for your input. This is going to be a very long wait to get to next Thursday.
RCross, I have been taking Levothyroxine for almost 2 years now. Supposedly my levels are normal, however I feel no different now than I did before the dx came through. I'm still always tired and can't lose weight to save my life (literally).
My wrists swell up, also. I will have a huge bulge of swelling protruding on the outside part of my wrist (below the pinkie finger). Looks like my hands come straight out of my forearms some days... the upper-extremity version of kankles, I suppose.
My daughter also takes levo...and we had to switch doctors for her because she was still symptomatic even though her levels were "normal." The range for normal is vast...and she was on the low end. Losing hair, gain weight, having pain issues, etc. Now her level is on the high side of "normal" and she's doing much much better.
Hopefully your doctor will figure out what's causing your issues and get you on the road to feeling better soon!!!
Mine did start with my hands, but oddly, they haven't given me the most grief. Leave that to the other parts of my body, lol.
I'm very impressed with your strong attitude regarding your addiction recovery - kudos and bravo to you on that. I hope though, that you will not continue to dismiss pains - I say that only because I did that for many, many years - and I wish I had spoken up for myself sooner than I did - hope that makes sense?
Take care of yourself, and please keep us posted - we are rooting for you. : )
in denial...angry ..happy to have a good day ....laugh ...cry ...scream..frustration...happy to have a good day ..grieving ...smiling ...crying ..happyt o have a good day ..for myself ive been threw alot of stuff life can dish out ..the good the bad and the ugly and things i never thought possible i did ..and had asuccessfull career..etc...but i must say this disease has made me step back several feet and shoved me off my toes ...this is life changing no matter how you look at it ..and if people allow another to greive and be angry ..and then try to get it together to help your self ..than thats a good head start in my opinion....