I'm Ready to Amputate My Thumbs

Yup. The fibro does that to me at times, especially in combination with the RSI in the right wrist. I feel your frustration and pain. ((((((Chris))))))

Ouch, poor Chris. It hurts, it's no fun and makes you feel as mean as a wet cat. DH had a lot of problems with his hands, swelling, arthritis and so much pain he could barely pick up a fork. He tried an over the counter rub on with capsicum and has been great for almost a year now. He looks like his hands are normal again. It burns like the devil when you put it on so you have to test it to be sure you don't blister. It worked though. We couldn't believe it.It interrupts the pain signals to the brain. It works for some people and not others. Feel better soon. Juno

My dh, a retired engineer, had dreadful arthritis in his hands and fingers, and finds that the combo of Glucosamine and Chondroitin works wonders for him. He takes it faithfully. Others find it of no use - you either swear by it or at it, but he makes sure he always has a good supply on hand.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

Um, Chris? If you're male, yup! Got ARTR in both wrists, and it gives me Hell on the keyboard. Thumb on left hand. (Luckily, I'm right handed)

Yup, it raises Hell with your needlework. I don't think that condroitin thing works at all. Hot packs and short sessions are, I'm afraid, about the best you can expect...... unless someone else on this NG knows something I don't, which I hope is so.

Alex

My head says this should not be true, but this works for me:

If I fail to take my little toddy at bedtime I suffer acute pain in my hands and knees the next day. ;-}

I also take a combo pill of Glucosamine/Chondroitin daily, I figure probably doesn't hurt, may help...

Thanks, Beverly.

I thought someone would come up with some other ideas.

Whatever works for the OP, works.

Alex

Boy, do I know it.

My problem are my entire hands-- both of them --- all of finger joints, the middle of the hand, and also in the wrist. Shooting pains like being stabbed. Some is due to arthritis, but most is from a medication I am on, whose first major side effect is joint pain. (And I gotta stay on this stuff for 4 more years.)

I would wake up in the middle of the night crying, my hands hurt so much and had a heartful talk with my primary care doctor.

She put me on a combination of two meds. One an anti-depressent - which aparently this is often prescribed for Fibromyalgia sufferers and others with chronic pain - and the other Voltaren for the arthritis.

About a week into this the difference was like night and day and I'm eternally grateful to my dr. for her empathy and determination to help me.

I hope your doctor is able to help you and give you some relief. Pain is no fun and is extremely DRAINING and STRESSFUL.

-Irene

Ah me, dear Irene, I'm just so grateful that you have a doctor who cares and tries. How wonderful. My thumbs seem to be okay but I'm having a hard time with my shoulders. Silly little routine things such as putting a stack of cereal bowls on the 2nd shelf or flipping a sheet out to make a bed are causing me 'drop to my knees' pain ( and my knees aren't all that hot either). I read in Dr. Gott's newspaper column that ridiculous WD-40 was a good rub for hateful pain. The question will be: do I hurt bad enough to smell like that? Polly

If it does turn out to be arthritis, my mom had joints replaced in both thumbs; the relief was immediate and amazing. Don't know how long the replacements are good for... she had hers at least 25 years.

1. Sympathy.
2. My doc told me that our thumbs are the first thing to go. We wear them out.
3. I've sometimes had good results with my paraffin (wax) bath that Hometics makes. Putting the rich lotion on before dipping into melted wax also makes my hands soft and nicer than they've ever been.
4. When my lab results showed I had almost no Vitamin D in my system, and I started taking supplements, some bone pain lessened dramatically.
5. I think I'll try Beverly's remedy. I've taught a few olives to swim. Do golden raisins like vermouth?

If I do all the things that have been suggested to me

golden raisins...soaked in gin Dark cherries Glucosimine-Condroitin Capsasin Copper Bracelets Magnetic Bracelets

and then I still have pain, apmutation will be next.

My youngest DD had the joint replacement surgery in her right thumb a few years ago, at age 50, and it was a complete success, she says.

I never suffered from it, but several of my siblings have arthritis in one or both hands, and they found the combo Glucosamine/Condroitin works well for them. One DS even gives the combo to her Teacup Poodle for the arthritis in his hips.

Emily