Question about swelling? | Arthritis Information

Hey guys, I have another question! I was hoping going on enbrel would reduce swelling in my hands, but I am not sure if they are swollen or deformed. My middle finger and pinky are hard, not like smushy swollen and reallly big, like my left hand is a size 5 ring and this would probably be an 11. Is that how it is supposed to be, and if so will the enbrel take that down or is that permanent damage?

Thanks!

Hi Christina,

I have only been on Enbrel for about 6 weeks. I do feel great now but hadn't noticed that the swelling in my hands was much different. But my rings are feeling quite loose and my watch is too loose. I hope the swelling goes down soon for you!
Thanks! Yeah I am not sure if it is swelling, I am thinking its not. The doc said it was inflamed, but has been like that for about 10 years. Pretty sure it is permanent. I just didn't know if the swelling is supposed to feel "hard" or smushy cause I have had both. Have you had them xrayed? That way your RD can determine if they are deformed or just swollen - good luck!Dear Christina, are you taking Prednisone? That helps take the swelling down until the Enbril works for you?????Lynda, good luck.I agree Matthew someone needs to direct you to get them Xrayed. If they are osteo or RA you will then know. Hi Christina, I'm on Enbrel also, and my hands are swollen. According to my Rhumie, the swelling has gone down. Some days my hands are even more swollen. I agree with everybody, go to a Dr. and get some x-rays of your hands. Good luck to you. You can message me here anytime. God Bless, Dotti51 [QUOTE=cah1418]

Thanks!

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Do you have access to a copy machine at work? Or at a local store? Or a flatbed scanner at home? If so, make a "copy" of your hands every few weeks or so, so that you have an objective and permanent record of the size of your hands and all of your fingers.

I did that when I sprained my finger a while back, so that I could tell whether or not the swelling was decreasing.

Christina some of my fingers have permanent hard areas on the side of my joints that my Dr says Osteoarthritis caused. Have you been checked for OA? I hope the Enbrel works for you soon. I also had to have a Cortisone injection in my bum to help kick me out of a very bad flare I have been in since the last injection wore off, lol.

Take care

< =text/>_popupControl(); How long have you been on Enbrel? ONly x-rays are going to show if any permanent damage has been done. When was the last time you had any x-rays done?

Thanks for the replies guys! Jasmine that is a good idea! i usually use my husbands wedding ring. I know that middlefinger hasn't changed. It is hard as a rock.
I haven' t had any x-rays, which I think is odd. I really think I need to get a second opinion. Rhuem didn't check for anything except blood work. He just pushed the enbrel on me. Even when I said I can get by with motrin. (Well a lot of it) He said it would help the swelling but I don't believe him.

He also told me that enbrel would make me less tired and I have seen a lot of posts that say otherwise.

Oh well, I guess I have to trust that he knows what he is doing!

I get my first injection on Thursday!

Good luck to you Christina

Thanks Robin!

I might have to hold off on my first injection of enbrel.They just put me on a z-pac for a sinus infection! GRRRRRRRRRRRR

They are gonna see how I feel on Thursday. Just wanna get it over with. I guess it's good that I got it before though.