Too young for arthritis:(

[Catlover465]

Hello, I am o my 40 but I have the start of arthritis in my toe and big finger. What would help (apart from naproxen). Thank you

I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hands and wrists (all fingers and both thumbs) at 38, DM didn’t develop it until her 60’s and DGM didn’t get it until her 70’s, I’m praying my DC don’t get it young.

I was on and off naproxen for a couple of years, co codamol for when it’s really painful but, the best thing, is exercises to build up the strength, improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. I actually had a hand physio tell me there wasn’t anything they could do for me, but the exercises they gave me do help. You do have to be consistent though. Not sure about ties but I do yoga and plenty of downward dogs which do involve toe movements.

Have a look on arthritis uk, they have the movements on video on there.

I rarely take naproxen because the Omeprazole needed to take with it causes absorption issues with b12 & iron, and I was regularly low on both. I only use them for a couple of weeks at a time when I’m have a really bad flare up.

Avoid alcohol too, this causes flare ups.

Ah sorry you are experiencing it too. Thanks for those suggestions, the naproxen isn’t really touching the sides but I will try upping the dose and definitely need to do some stretches! Are you still able to do daily tasks?

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis 💐 unfortunately there is juvenile arthritis for those who are diagnosed under aged 16. It sucks getting a diagnosis at any age. Naproxen didn’t work for me in the early stages of my diagnosis although mine isn’t arthritis. Try and get stronger drugs if you can, there are a lot of new ones on the market. I hope you have a good rheumatologist. All the best.

Have you been diagnosed with arthritis and had blood tests done

I get relief in my big toe from rubbing better you magnesium oil into it. It helps the pain and makes it slightly less stiff, afterwards it clicks and I know there’s more movement in there.

I’m not sure you should up the dose, do speak to the dr again.

When the flare up is really bad I can’t even twist a door handle or peel off a yogurt lid without yelping in pain! Mashing potatoes is impossible.
Thankfully, I think due to the exercises, no alcohol and a (mostly) arthritis friendly diet, I’m better than I was when I was first diagnosed. I also wear wrist splints when doing heavy things to reduce further damage.

Im sure you are worrying about the future with being so young but, nearly 15 years on, I have to say it’s a lot more manageable than it was. I will try to find the food list and pop back.

For the pp asking about blood tests, there isn’t one for osteoarthritis, there is one to confirm rheumatoid arthritis.
Mine was confirmed with X-rays and a hand ultrasound.
I’m assuming as op is on naproxen, rather than a DMRD, it’s osteoarthritis also.

Here op. I’m veggie anyway which helps with a huge load of stuff on the avoid list. I have chia seeds daily, I put a glug of olive oil in my daily smoothies, have lentils or quinoa almost daily and rarely eat bread. Pretty much my whole diet is on the green list, apart from the coffee which I drink loads of! It has made a huge difference to how much pain I get and frequency of flares.

Wow, that is fascinating. Thank you. Yes, it’s osteoarthritis and had it confirmed by x ray. The finger pain is quite new but it is a pain. I will try to limit those aggravating foods. And thanks for the suggestion of magnesium; I will try that! Thanks all.

Have you had bloods done? I was told I likely had osteoarthritis but then it became more widespread across my body after having started in my fingers years ago then my spine. I had xrays which show nothing until damage is actually done to the joints. But my bloods were all normal. I have no idea how many times I went back to the gp and eventually was referred to rheumatology and it turns out I have seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthritis which I now have to take biologics for.

From initial symptoms until diagnosis it took 8 years of going back and forth to gp with little to no relief from naproxan.

If you've not had bloods done push for these.

Also try anti-inflammatory gel straight onto the affected joints.

I was diagnosed with arthritis at 41 and am now 59. Naproxen has never worked for me but it might for you especially at the start of your diagnosis. Expect it to get worse over time though as it’s degenerative.

Thanks. No, haven’t had any bloods done.

Have any of you found any sports that help eg yoga or swimming?

And does Peri menopause make it worse?