To ask about my left thumb?

[loveyouradvice]

Well, you won't be surprised to know I don't want to see a GP at the mo, but I am keen to know what this is.

I'm 59 and for the last year or so my left thumb has ached on and off...it's a dull ache, occasionally more and when I massage it there are definitely "grainy" bits. It was definitely exacerbated by how I held my mobile in that hand when texting. When I asked the GP casually about it after it had started he said it was probably early stages arthritis, which he saw as very similar to RSI.

What do you think? And what is likely to help? I'm up for doing anything - eating strange things, etc!

I'm afraid I don't have an answer, but interested in other replies. I'm a bit younger (30's), but have exactly the same issue. My thumb also feels like it has a bunion-type lump developing on the side, and I'm finding buttons and such becoming more fiddly. Index finger on the same hand feels like its going the same way....

Me too, I've found a natural remedy, Avena Comfrey Ointment, which i find very helpful in easing the aches and pains.

It takes a little while to soak into the skin, but I don't mind that, I'm used to using oils and balms and salves.

There are several sellers on amazon and ebay. I've just bought another 2 jars on ebay for a total of £15.57, free postage from seller top1sales. They arrived within a few days, as have previous orders from that seller.

I have all of the ingredients to make my own, but so far I haven't had time.

Pain in the base of your thumb is a very common place for osteoarthritis

https://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/24/basalthumbb_arthritis

I've bought a new tablet and I'm having the same issue. It's completely relieved if I don't support the tablet on my thumb in any way - the case has a strap, and I tuck my hand through that and support the tablet on the flat of my hand.

I assumed it was arthritis, but once I twigged it was the tablet, it took 3-4 days to heal and become pain free.

Probably arthritis. Put some Ibulieve or Voltarol gel on it. Not a lot else you can do as arthritic bits are a normal part of the aging process.

Darn Masking I feared as much .... but is there really nowt we can do for arthritic bits? Like eating brazil nuts or something ?????

Turmeric's supposed to be very good, you can't eat enough to make a difference, but you can buy capsules.
Don't take if on blood thinners without asking your GP first.

I have had two surgeries to remove ganglions at the base of my left thumb. They were pushing it away from the joint. Worth getting it checked out.

I'm eating turmeric every day .... hope it makes SOME difference!! Just feels like an easy thing to do....

And yes, once things quieter after Christmas I am going to get it properly checked out Thanks for encouraging me - seems mad just to tolerate it without knowing more!

Do you mean the joint where your thumb joins your hand or the one further down that you use when you stretch your thumb out (called the CMC joint).
If it's the latter, start off by trying a cheap thumb splint and see if it helps.
I have badly damaged CMC joints and can recommend a great thumb splint which still allows the use of my thumbs but stops me from hurting them (and therefore them hurting me!)