lumps on index finger joints

[MaryAnnSingleton]

just that really- on both index fingers,the top joints have noticeable lumpiness. At first I put it down to holding pens and paintbrushes for my work,but it seems odd to have both fingers on each hand the same. My mum has very severe osteo arthritis and am feeling dread that it might be the start. My right hip joint is very sore too,esp after walking any distance but I am thinking maybe that's general wear and tear and the possible side effects of tamoxifen which stops oestrogen being taken up by the body and leads to menopausal symptoms (ie aching joints)
Should I show my GP ? If I show mum she'll be worried - what to do ?

MAS, I think you have to go to GP. My father has both osteo and rheumatoid, so I worry too. When I asked my GP, he explained the key is to get on top of it asap, as there's lots they can do these days. Hope it isn't though.

I was told nothing could be done for my arthritis in my fingers and hip. I don't even know what type it is.

What should I be asking for?

You need to know :-
a) is it definitely arthritis
b) which type
c) what they can do about it.

Honestly I'd insist on at least having tests and then asking to be referred to a specialist. It's not curable, but there are things they can do.

Thanks smee. I can't even move most of my fingers in the morning (in Winter) and the lumps are very definitely there on two of them. And I got sent off with ibuprofen and a look of disbelief for my hip.

Will broach the subject again next time I see a GP.

Mas, it could be linked to arthritis - don't show your mum if she will worry. Do however ask the gp when you next go.

Are G and T home safe? Did they have a good time?

The ups and downs of PointyDogs illness are in the Doghouse section. Have not put much on fb.

Do the fingerjoints ache?

off to look at pointy dog's posts..boys back and had a lovely time.
They do ache actually-have been ignoring it for a while...I can't show mum because she'll worry - I think I'll try to make an appointment this week. Mum is really crippled by her arthritis-she has both. I was trying to remember when it started and would guess when she was not much older than I am now.
Thanks smee for info. I looked up stuff on the internet and studied the pictures of ganglions and cysts but the lumps looked most like the arthritic ones. KatharineClifton I've been several times to the docs with my hip and been given ibuprofen !

Standard practice then! I'll keep this thread in watch and wait and see if you get any further (so I can copy what you do).

will report back...

You might also want to consider possibility of gout - GP kept telling mother she had Heberdens Nodes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heberden's_node as she does have arthritis .
But actually ,turns out that she also has gout affecting her knuckles .

MAS, I've read osteo tends to be in weight bearing joints, so knees, etc. So I'm guessing if it's your fingers, it's more likely to be rheumatoid. But then again if your hip aches too, that's confusing, so it might be Tamoxifen related? I have terrible aches in my knees and feet. Also have had sore hands (hard to describe!). I was worried about arthritis because of family history, but the Onc said she thought it more likely due to the treatment for BC/ Tamoxifen. They're going to test me in about 6 months for arthritis if it hasn't lessened.

very confusing smee - am off to see the doc today...
gingeroots thank you for that - my dad has gout !! eek.

Good luck later then. Don't let them fob you off.

I'll try !

so- the doctor thinks it's probably osteoarthritis and that there's nothing really you can do for it (apart from ibuprofen)

mmmm - not good enough GP .
Xrays and further investigation needed .

argh- I am neurotic at being thought of as neurotic !

might as well go for it then - so your fears that they think you are neurotic are confirmed ,at least you might get some info .

am not sure what I can ask for really- bit hopeless at this.

Well

def. not rheumatic becau se I had a blood test a little while ago