I have chronic arthritis of the thumbs

Yes same in Australia. I am gonna have to pay! Grrrr 

Very short sighted of the medical profession, the cost of using the patient's own platelets is far far less than the continued cost of medications and then major surgeries.  Maybe they just wont let go of being sawbones.

Haha exactly! I am flabbergasted at lack of options even by joining private health the situation remains the same for these less invasive treatments. Something needs to be done ! Our system is like yours and was once a fantastic health system but it as with NHS is loosing ground. We will follow USA next ..... 

Kate I am in Yamba, my doctor on the Gold Coast ! That's interesting. When was your last treatment as I have read over and over that there is not offset as it not proven to be effective. I am going to do it. I must say I had remedial massage yesterday 'Chinese cupping' and my most severe hand and thumb is great today! Phew it is exhausting me! All new! My poor body is in shock! Lol 

The cupping sounds interesting.  Glad to hear its given some relief, all good.  I just finished reading a news story about a woman who couldnt get knee surgery because she lives alone and her local health care trust wouldnt fund post operative carers - she was told the surgery would cost £14,000.  Her consultant told her she would be a good candidate for hyaluronic acid injections in the knee joint, which would increase lubrication and provide good benefits, but her NHS Trust wouldnt fund it, again.  The cost of the injections is just £50 a time!  Criminally short sighted.

Just for info, I've found great benefit for my thumb joint inflammation using fresh ginger.  I mince it up (grated or blitzed in a blender) then mix it with hand cream and slap it all over the joints.  I leave it on for a couple of hours in the evening and by the time I go to bed, the swelling has gone down and the internal pain is just a dull mild ache and I dont get woken up in the night by pain.  You can also steep it in boiling water, add lemon and sugar and drink like tea (I cant stand the taste so I dont).  Must be fresh root ginger not powdered or stem ginger.  For me, its a 'miracle cure'.

Yes I did the ginger last night! The Chinese therapist used it yesterday and said to soak handscabd feet every day in it.  I am try to decided if I should take private cover in Australia but it all points to nit being worth the outlay . Thanks fir the discussion 

Hi Kerrie,

​My last injection was yesterday. My thumbs still hurt a little from the injections but as you can see I have no problems typing this message. I asked my doctor yesterday how many people come to him for thumbs and he said I was the only one. He does mainly knees, ankles and hips. I only wish my hand doctor had been a bit more open minded and suggested this as an alternative years ago.

That's really interesting Kerrie.  I got told by a guy at our local indian restaurant about using ginger - he said back home in India they view ginger as a 'cure all' and use it for pain relief, disinfecting wounds, stomach problems, all sorts.  I'll try anything once, as long as it doesnt do harm and doesnt cost me an arm, a leg and half a kidney to buy

Well I am sold, I have an appointment with my Dr next week, this is what she wants to do. I will let you know how I go. Thanks Kate 

yes I have just returned from India...this where this all began or major episode..in every joint...dr can’t explain that except for my thumbs, wrists and 3 top of neck vertebrae....ginger and cumin. My dr suggested raw cumin too., vitamin c..and glucosamine...I also use magnesium spray...anything lol I feel like a walking supplement. Laughing now! Ps we are on a yacht planning to sail so this is a challenge...for not just me but my poor partner as well...