1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

I think that I have R.A. in my hands as all of the joints in my finger have nodules.? What should I

Posted , 9 users are following.

chris92128
chris92128

I am unable to form a fist in either hand & have constant pain in my fingers.Initially in the two larger fingers on both hands but now spreading into the two smaller fingers. The pain wakes me at night & often my hands are " dead" & need to be shaken to bring back "to life".

So far my G.P has said take paracetamol but this has done nothing. Where do I start to get help with this? What drugs are recommended to start with?Any help would be much appreciated.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • bob_2020
    bob_2020 chris92128

    Posted

    ur doctor needs to refer u to see a rheumatologist at hospital chris mate cos i know for a fact u have rheumatiod arthritis i have and still get same systoms in hands are ur getting ..methotrexate is a deffo u will get put on along with another drug of doctors choice good luck chris mate get back to see ur doc as soon as
    • chris92128
      chris92128 bob_2020

      Posted

      Thanks Bob. I'm seeing my G.P. tomorrow.Let's hope he will be helpful.

       

  • elspeth97587
    elspeth97587 chris92128

    Posted

    You need blood tests and be referred to a Rheumatologist  Chris. As Bob says I think there could be no doubt that you have the symptoms of RA. I started with ibuprofen for the inflammation back in 2007 before I was diagnosed properly. I hope you are referred soon and start treatment. The quicker it's done the better.

    Sending best wishes, 

    Elspeth 

  • carol303055
    carol303055 chris92128

    Posted

    Hi Chris,  it sounds very suspicious to me.  Great to see you’re going back to your GP tomorrow.  I’m not surprised paracetamol hasn’t touched  it.  There are very clear guidelines for GPs to follow if they think you may have RA.  It means being referred to a Rheumatologist and you may want to look them up (NICE clinical guidelines 79). In the meantime you may find using ice packs helpful?  Your GP may also consider prescribing something a little more appropriate, maybe even steroids in the short term. I really hope you get some proper advice and support but you definitely need that referral.  Also, there’s no quick fix. Diagnosis can take time as can finding the right treatment, and there are lots of treatments available. Very best wishes. Carol 
    • chris92128
      chris92128 carol303055

      Posted

      Hi Carol, Many thanks for your comments.As you say there are so many "cures" out there + all the Alternative remedies! I bought a Magnetic Bracelet to no avail at present?? Have been recommended " Green Lipped Mussels" Tumeric & Heaven only knows what else.All rather expensive which I don't mind if it helps.But how do you know, there are so many conflicting views.How about Feldene Gel has anybody any experience of this?

    • carol303055
      carol303055 chris92128

      Posted

      Haha, nope, not heard of Feldene Gel. I did experiment with my diet and paid for advice but I can’t say it made any noticeable difference (I have seen others who feel it does).  I was also making turmeric tea! When my hands and wrists and ankles were at their worst I found my codydramol and ice packs, frequently ‘refreshed’ by my lovely husband the best relief till I got something better (usually a short course of steroids).  So hope you’ve got some help from your GP today and if not,  see a different one or change your GP. It’s really important to start treatment early to avoid joint deformity. Carol x
  • Raj125
    Raj125 chris92128

    Posted

    Hi Chris,  are you under a consultant?  

    They would manage all the drugs according to your symptoms of RA. Unfortunately 

    Paracetamol on its own isn’t  adequate.  

    Consultants can also suggest other therapies

    Available to you for you.  Good luck. 

  • maria49062
    maria49062 chris92128

    Posted

    I really think Chris you should insist on being referred to a Rheumatologist who will give you blood tests, as this is the only way they can test for RA good luck
  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 chris92128

    Posted

    Your local GP should be able to send you for a couple of basic blood tests, ESR & CRP.

    These both indicate if you have inflammation in your system, and depending on how high the ESR & CRP are, the higher the worse the inflammation, can also indicate an infection or even cancer, unlikely I think to be that.

    Best wishes, if GP will not help, change GP's, get one who will listen to you.

    I got caught with trusting a GP who let me down badly, when speciliast finally saw me he was furious I had been left to suffer for so long on my own, 5 years, I had a completely worn out bone on bone hip joint, specialist told me in no uncertain terms to fire my GP before he kills you.

     

  • martin31040
    martin31040 chris92128

    Posted

    Hi if you have nodules you probably had RA for long time, don't know what your GP is like he should recognised a major problem going on, paracetamol will do no good, you need to be referred to see a specialist quickly.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.