Hand swelling while active | Arthritis Information

 

Hello!  I was just diagnosed with RA ten days ago, and have been taking Plaquenil since then.  My hands have gotten worse each day, but I continue to take the meds, hoping for the best.  I know it takes a while for this med to kick in.     

Anyhow - every time I start to exercise (usually just walking) my hands swell up a lot.  Does this happen to anyone else?  My hands are always swollen in the morning, but this other swelling can happen anytime I walk, or workout.  It's a bit scary!  Thanks so much to anyone who responds! 

Yes    my  hands    swell  up  when i  am   walking   

I  first  went  on Plaquenil when  i  was  diaganosed,  i  took  it  with  no  problems  and  it  lasted  me   for  8  years then  it  stopped   working   and  had  to  go  on  Sulfasalizine 

You  will have  to   have  regular  eye  checks   with  Plaquenil

Good  luck

gilly39329.5602083333Hi Brook, yes hands swelling is what drove me to the RA doc. in the first place, and also my feet! This is the way this stuff operates, swelling, stiffness, and pain. You may want to contact the doc and ask if you can have something to help you while you are 'waiting' for the plaq to work. I'm sorry to say it could be what seems like forever (like a month or two??) This is the part doctors , for some reason, are reluctant to mention.....? hummm? It has taken 3 months for the Remicade to work for me. (I was ready to give up on it last month...but they convinced me to wait, and wait and wait) I've been on the MtX for 4 months (20mgs)& up to 15mgs of prednisone. Lynda 

Hi!  Thanks for the replies!  I know that the swelling is part of RA, but I was just wondering why exercise seems to increase the swelling.  It's so weird! 

Lynda - I have pain meds (naproxen, oxycodone, and flexeril) to take when the pain gets too bad.  My doc told me it could take up to 12 wks. for the plaq. to work.  I am not sure if there is something to take just for the swelling.  At my next appt, I think I may have to start pred. at least.  RA seems so tough to supress right now. 

Thanks again!!! 

Is it your hands that swell or your finger joints that swell.  Hand swelling is pretty common with exercise walking and other exercises even for non-Ra'rs.  The theroy is that fluid accumulates in your hands and feet while working out esp while walking or running.  Don't clench your hands, swing them when you walk. occassionally rest them on your head to get them above heart level and make sure you are drinking at least an ounce of water for every 15 minutes you are walking.  You can also wear compression gloves to help push the fluid back into circulation

 

  hi brooke,I get the same thing when I walk,The meds sometimes makes me retain water an if I dont take my diuretic (lasix) my fingers are like sausages. You might want to say something to your doc at your next appt. since extra fluid is not good for your heart an bp. Pain meds that are nsiad can also cause accumulation of fluid. hope this helps.Yup...me too!  My hands and fingers swell when I walk.  It's not as bad now that my meds (MTX and Enbrel) have kicked in, but they still swell some when I walk.  It did alarm me a little at first, but I'm used to it now.

dordale Oh, wow, thanks so much for those replies.  My pulse and pb have been very high (for me) at my last few visits.  I will let my doc know about the swelling when I exercise.  Thank you!
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