Painful, swollen fingers | Arthritis Information

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Is there anything I can do to lessen the swelling in my fingers?  They are extremely painful when I try to bend them.  Neither warmth nor coldness has helped, and ibuprofen (the only pain reliever I take.....and rarely) doesn't touch the swelling or pain.  I have both RA and OA, so I don't know what's causing it.  I have pretty much lost the use of my left hand (grasping or bending) and I dread to think that this could be permanent!  My RD doesn't seem to care about it.  Warm weather is here and I CAN'T RIDE MY MOTORCYCLE ---- I need to squeeze my left hand to use the clutch!  Gentle exercises to loosen them up are always good. If you search this board I think you'll find some recommended. I know, it always seems like heat will help but it never does anything. Try the exercises and keep using them. My hands are the worst part of me right now but I have continued gardening and I even built a rock wall, which forced me to lift a lot of stones. It hurts when I'm done, but they do loosen up as I work. I take tramadol at half the dose, and I would recommend it as a very mild narcotic that enables me to keep up the movement I need. Good luck! BTW I love cats too.so sorry to hear that your RD is not attending to your issue!!  Can he give you a script for PT?  or can you start doing some exercises as Bluehour suggested?  I have found that keeping the hands moving is key to maintaining ROM (range of motion) and reducing my discomfort...... weird to think that is true.. but it is..

 
I also started walking steadily two weeks ago..and when I do walk.. my inflammation is reduced! 
 
I am really becoming a believer in movement is good for us... even moving through the pain.
 
Goodluck!!
And ask your doctor about Voltaren Gel... My foot recently swelled to about twice normal size (and with feet as big as mine, that's no pretty picture!). The Voltaren Gel did help the swelling -- a lot. My Still's disease is in remission -- so it was the osteo that caused the swelling in this case.My finger strength and mobility are a barometer to my RA, it was an indication my RA meds weren't working for me.   I hope you can talk to RD and get some relief.

Island Woman, I have big feet too, and when they swell, I look like I have Hobbit feet!  Thanks for the replies!  Yes, I do keep exercising my hands, and I have just finished building a fence and am now screening in my porch.  It sure hasn't been easy!  My fingers don't seem to hurt any more or less from working.  This swelling started before those projects. 
 
I really don't want to use prescription pain meds.  (I know, I may just change my mind some day.
 
My regular doctor gave me some Voltaren Gel to try, and it didn't do a darn thing for me. 
 
I am going to see what my RD can suggest when I see him in August.  But there's a lot of bike-riding weather between now and then!   
Try squeezing something kinda soft like a foam ball with your hands above your head. Worked on my fat hand after elbow surgery. Ten to fifteen minutes did the trick. Also I propped my elbow on the back cushion of the sofa - no way could I hold my arms way up there for that long. marian2010-05-15 15:51:07Why did i forget the old rice sock thing? put rice in a sock. Tie it off and put it in the microwave for about 20 or 30 seconds. Can help with relief for sore joints.OK, I just went and found one of the catnip toys, and will start squeezing it.  Too bad I just cooked the last of the rice today.  Going grocery shopping soon, so I'll try thre hot rice sock, too.  Heck, I can even squeeze the rice sock!  The pain has spread to my palm today.  I soooo want this to go away without taking even more meds......
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