Well knock me down...arthritis in my thumbs!

[minkydog]

I've been having pain in both wrists for awhile. Last year it was diagnosed as tendinitis and I was told to wear a splint. Recently, both hands have been painful and it's hard to open things, change diapers, or even hold hands. So I went to the hand doctor today and he says i have grade 3 arthritis in both thumb joints. Ultimately, it will need to be cleaned out--the xrays look like there's a gravel field in both joints.

You coulda knocked me down with a feather! I can't take Advil due to severe allergic reaction, so he injected both thumbs with cortisone (ow~). The right one feels much better, but the left remains stiff & sore. He says if the injection lasts a long time(6months) come back and get another one. If it only lasts a little while, they I'll need to consider surgery.

 

[luvwinnie]

So sorry to hear this. Is it osteoarthritis?

 

[minkydog]

Ya know, I didn't think to ask, I was so stunned. But I'll tell you what, my left hand is killing me from that injection. i can barely move teh thumb. I hope that gets better soon.

 

[Poohnatic]

Cortisone shots are NOT pleasant. I hope the pain from them subsides soon.

Arthritis in my left thumb, so I know what that's like. Something that helped that and my carpal is a CMC neoprene splint from North Coast medical. It allows for movement, but contains the wrist and thumb. Worth every penny I paid for each of them.

If you've got a small wrist, PM me and I can send them to you. I rarely need them now that I live someplace warm.

Suzanne

 

[barkley]

mil and bf swear by the parafin hand spas-say they give tremendous releif during cold weather flare ups. they had both had them as treatment in physical therapy and were thrilled to find them available for home use.

best wishes-my arthritis is in my hips and with all the rain we've been having i barely want to be any place but a nice hot bath!

 

[Meriweather]

Arthritis in my left thumb also

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I've know for some years now that i have arthritis in my fingers. Then in December I injured my back and have a pinched nerve from a herniated disk. Well the doctor also decided to send me for a test on my wrists. Yup! I also have carpal tunnel syndrome! You know....I hope they don't think of anymore tests. Don't think I can take much more good news.
Kim

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

I just want to say I feel your pain. I have Rhuematoid Arthritis and it stinks. That being said...you really need to find out what type of arthritis you have. If you have any of the Autoimmune types you should really see a specialist that deals with it on a regular basis to help slow down the progression of the disease.

 

[minkydog]

I just want to say I feel your pain. I have Rhuematoid Arthritis and it stinks. That being said...you really need to find out what type of arthritis you have. If you have any of the Autoimmune types you should really see a specialist that deals with it on a regular basis to help slow down the progression of the disease.

Thanks. I think I will pursue this. It seems odd to me that both hands and my foot have been so painful, so suddenly. My Grandfather had bad RA and my brother as Spondylosis. No one has ever mentioned that I could have arthritis. I am far too young--49-- to just let this go untreated.


Poohnatic--thanks for the offer. I have two wrist splints that I'm using. Last night I was able to sleep without them for the first time in three weeks. My left thumb was so swollen, the splint was actually making things worse. Had a rough night, but the left thumb is more flexible today. Still very sore. That coritsone shot really did a number on it. The good news is the right thumb, which is the worse one, feels great!

Think I'll go get myself a pariffin machine. That sounds very soothing.