I am 38 and have just been told I have the early stages of arthristis in my hands. Any advice, Please :0)?

Question

I saw my (locum) doctor for a repeat prescription today and he noticed my hands are very swollen. Took a closer look and did a few things to my fingers, asked a few questions and then asked me to come back tomorrow as it looks like arthritis. I am 38 and I write as a living. HELP!!! He has also checked me for diabetes due to my large sugar intake and habit of getting at night and craving something sweet (or sometimes it is pasta or the like). Any tips for easing my aching fingers that look like sausages? I just thought it was hay fever and too much housework! Any help more than welcome and appreciated! Cheers and Have Fun :0)

Answer 1

DONT pop your fingers one of my friends (he is 15) already has pre arthritis because he pops them constantly.,.

fish oil will help i think and omega 3s ( my dad takes both)

Answer 2

I am 38 and also have RA in my hands, wrists and elbows.  I take devil's claw 3 times a day as it is a natural anti inflammatory and pain killer.  Keep your hands warm, and keep moving them as much as you can.

Answer 3

Dear Sarah,  Advil or any anti-inflammatory over the counter medications helps a great deal.  You'll find that there will be times when you won't even know that you have arthritis and then there will be a flare up.  The swelling is caused by the inflammation in the joints.  High humidity will cause a "flare-up". Be sure that you have an electric can opener.  And Black and Decker sell a great jar opener you only have to sit the jar inside and flip a switch and it pops open.  Anything that will make it easier on your hands.  Cold helps keep the inflammation down when you are suffering from the pain only because cold is good for swelling.

Whatever you can do to alleviate the pressure on your hands will make it easier.  Be prepared for humid days and take an Advil, Ibuprofrin, which ever is your choice right away.  They do work.  

I have arthritis also in my hands.  Sometimes it can be pretty painful but you can learn to deal with it.  As for writing there may be a day or two once in a while when you may have to take it easy.  But the medication may just allow you to write despite the arthritis.  When you're feeling the pain take it easy.  It really I promise you is not a big deal.  Hope You Take Care!!

Answer 4

The Devil's Claw that MAZ stated is a good idea and so is the Salmon Omega 3 mentioned earlier.  The other thing to try is to incorporate more garlic into your diet.  Garlic has proven to help early stages of arthritis in animals and people.  I'm not sure if you can get it in a pill (check with like GNC), but your looking for the actual cloves if possible.

The first time I heard about this was from a vet who was treating a dog...the instructions were to mix garlic cloves up with his food.  Since then I've heard of people doing the same things and have also talked to homeopaths about the benefits.  There is kind of a mixed view from the medical community.  Other than bad breath there doesn't appear to be any side effects.

Whatever you try, limit yourself to 1 or 2 changes for a few weeks or months at a time to see what works.  Changing too many things might not show you what is being effective.

Answer 5

If you do have cod liver oil is something excellent to take as it does help after taking for a while to lubricate your joints. Also a healthy diet anything with natural fish oil should also help.

regards

Richard

Answer 6

I have found that fish oil supplements help with joint pain.  Try cod liver oil capsules and omega 3 capsules - i take both.  Ibouprofen gel rubbed into the finger joints may also help.  Drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol.

Good luck

Answer 7

There are over 100 different types of Arthritis and until you know what form you have, really cannot suggest any help. If it is RA, the low fat diet and Omega 3 oils can help, if it is OA then loose weight and try Glucosamine with chondroitin, the jury is still out as to if it helps. It could be you have Lupus, MCTD, Polymyalgia rheumatica, Reactive arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and the list just goes on. Best of Luck