I have a history of stomach ulcers and, as such, can’t take ibuprofen/ Nurofen. Over the last few months I’ve very quickly developed symptoms of arthritis in my hands. I saw the doctor just before Christmas and he referred me to a specialist but it’s over a year wait. Since then my hands have got much worse - I struggle to hold the steering wheel of my car, can’t make a fist at all, can’t open bottles and struggle with door handles. The middle joint on my index and pointer finger are so swollen that none of my rings fit and my thumbs are swollen and red/ purple most of the time.
I spoke to my GP again yesterday and he said since he’s referred me there’s little else he could do but recommended ibuprofen gel and some hand exercises. I’ve been costing my hands and fingers in the gel but then read the leaflet and it says it can cause stomach ulcers (doesn’t say not to use if you’ve had stomach ulcers like the tablets do though). Does anyone know if I’m ok to carry on using it? I’ll call my GP again, obviously but it’s unlikely I’ll get a response from him this week. Any other tips on how to stop my hands getting worse would be gratefully received too.