Though I haven't been officially diagnosed with RA (I have an appointment with a rheumatologist next month), my general practitioner is fairly certain that's what is wrong with me. I wrote a fairly long introduction post, so I won't go into it too much here.
Other than my knees and back what bothers me most is my *hands* - mostly my thumbs and wrists, but my fingers hurt quite often too. Since I'm a student (yes, at 41. I'm working on my Master's), I kinda need my hands - all of those papers aren't going to type themselves. I've switched to bigger pens & mechanical pencils. I
have keychains on anything with a zipper (like my backpack) for better
grip, and I *tried* using a tape recorder instead of writing the notes,
but I learn better writing than listening.
Since pain killers are out, I wonder if anyone can give me any suggestions that might help with hands, thumb and wrists mostly. I've tried the topical lotions (like Icy/hot), and they help a little. I have a brace for my right wrist to help with the tendinitis, and sometimes I wrap both hands and wrists in ace bandages if they *really* hurt. But other than resting them as much as possible, any other suggestions?
tomiddes, I missed your intro (I'll go back and look) but welcome to the forum and I'm sorry you have to be here.
Perhaps you already explained why pain killers are out, but please keep in mind that they don't always have to be heavy drugs to help. Sometimes a prescription (or even over-the-counter) anti-inflammatory can do wonders.
As far as what else to do, ice or heat helps some people and others even use heated wax (paraffin bath). Also practice good joint protection techniques (here's one of many articles: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/AR00015) and try to do hand stretching/strengthening exercises if you can tolerate them...slow and steady progress is better than trying too much at once. I also find that sometimes massage (either someone else massaging or massaging one hand with the other) can be helpful.
And my last suggestion...when I first started getting the RA pain in my hands, I found that supporting the fingers really helped. So when I went to sleep, I took a washcloth rolled into a cylinder into each hand for me to hold onto. Keeping them in a loose grasping position made a huge difference. Later on it wasn't as helpful and I don't know why. But I thought I should at least mention it.
I hope your RD appt comes quickly and that you find some relief in the meantime.
Heat really helps me. I roll up a heating pad around my hands and it really relieves the pain and stiffness. Also just putting my hands under the hot water faucet or fill up the sink and soak your hands in it.