Any arthritis sufferers?

[Livedandlearned]

This morning my poor wrists are really hurting. I was diagnosed with RA a few years ago but at the time my GP did not mention any drugs or ongoing treatment at all.

Has anyone used any supplements or natural treatments with success before I go back to the doctors (which isn't going to be for a while)?

Many thanks

Did the rheumatologist not recommend any treatment? What ongoing monitoring do you have? It's unusual for them to just leave you to it if you've been diagnosed.

I don't know about any supplements I'm afraid, I do have compression gloves that help.

You should have been referred on to a rheumatologist. RA is better treated to prevent the spread of the damage as much as possible.

DH has palindromic arthritis but really didn't find anything that worked before treatment.

This is what happened: I went to my GP about the pain in my wrist, she sent me for an x-ray in the same hospital, I had x-ray. I went back for the results, could have been there and then or maybe a week later, I don't remember, and my GP said you have RA in the joint of your thumb. She printed off some information and sent me on my way.

The thing is, it hasn't been this bad until recently so I hadn't questioned the lack of on-going care until now. I have done some research and this says the same as you, monitoring reguly.

I feel sad that this hasn't happened but I can contact my doctor and highlight this.

Thank you for your reply, I'm going to look at compression gloves.

You need to be sent to a rhumatology department. There is lots that can be done. I've had psioritic artheitiis 20+ years.

I have anti inflamatories and pain killers.

I see physiotherapists for certain problems.
I have had hydrotherapy, disease modifying drungs and occasionally use a TENS machine.

I get occasional steroid injections.

I have wrist splints, both to help when my wrists are bad and some 'resting' splints that I'm supposed to use 30 mins a day.

I've also had shoe insolves made.

Now I have not had all of these at the same time and I have been seen in 3 different parts of England, but you need an expert to examine you, take the appropriate drugs tests and recomend treatments.

Did you have a blood test? That's what I had when RA was suspected, not an xray, that's totally negligent my Gp said if it was RA Is be referred to a consultant to try and stop further damage to my joints.
Thankfully it wasn't. I still get pain in that wrist but I have to try not to use it too much.

You need to go back ( as soon as possible) and be a nuisance until they refer you to a specialist
Don’t be afraid to see a different gp if you need to

Some people say turmeric capsules help. Glucosamine/ fish oils. Olive oils may help
Painkillers as you need to
But really you need to see a rheumatologist so they can’t get the appropriate meds

Can get

Perhaps the Dr meant to say OA, or you might have misheard.

Yes, if it’s RA you need to go back.

If it’s OA, it can really come and go. There is a lot you can do to help yourself. One of the best things for hands is a hot wax bath - sold for manicures. You can get one from Argos. If you’re the only person using it you can re-melt and re-use the wax. It is bliss for painful hands - I highly recommend it.

I use a special Good Grips fork. I have double-handled mugs for when the pain is bad. (Feels like you’re drinking out of a trophy). Have a look on the Complete Care Shop website or similar.

Other things that help are splints, gloves, using a little squishy exercise ball to strengthen/maintain the joints, and taking it easy when you have pain. Drink plenty of water & take a good multivitamin and mineral (I don’t think any specific supplements have helped me but you can always try). Arthritis charities have loads of helpful info, too.

The other thing that helps is thinking ‘it’s only pain’. I used to get upset thinking I was damaging my joints all the time and it just made me feel worse. Acceptance really helps.

Doctors don’t tend to diagnose RA, it would also be tricky to pick up off an x-ray. If it was suspected then you should have been referred to a rheumatologist, they will diagnose using a combination of blood tests/x-ray/ct/mri whichever they feel is appropriate, but definitely a blood test.
There are lots of drugs out there though so try not to worry.
I’m also wondering if they’ve meant OA which is wear and tear and you wouldn’t see a rheumatologist for that.

I think I'm best off starting all over again. I've joined a new doctors surgery recently as I moved house and so I want to start from the beginning. They can see in my notes whether I had a proper diagnosis but I'd like to start from square one in case the diagnosis was wrong.

I do feel better after reading all your advice, thank you

I'd definitely wonder whether it was OA rather than RA which is a completely different kettle of fish. If it is RA and they've just left you for years that's really concerning. They like to try you on meds asap after diagnosis as the inflammation will just continue causing damage otherwise.

I'd definitely go back to the GP as soon as practically possible and discuss your concerns.

Just to reassure you, Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by wear and tear. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition, generally you would have multiple swollen joints/pain and inflammation. Especially in the small joints such as the fingers. Obviously I can't diagnose you but from what you've said it does sound like it could be OA.

Rheumatiod Arthritis is an autoimmune disease usually diagnosed with a blood test. You would normally be referred to a Rheumatoligist.
Osteoarthritis is usually caused by wear & tear.
Maybe you mis heard the GP.

My sister swears by good quality curcumin supplements. The active ingredient from turmeric, plus bioperine which is a black pepper extract, I think, that aids absorption

I've just ordered hemp seed capsules with glucosamine in and also turmeric capsules with black pepper. I'll see how I fare with those.

My small joints aren't affected so OA does sound much more likely. I wonder if I kept the printout that she gave me.