There's no treatment for arthritis in fingers, is there?

[BlackInk]

I've had gradually worsening arthritis in my fingers (and elsewhere) for a good few years – painful, hot, knobbly, weak joints that seem to flare up then settle then flare up... but never completely resolve.
I had an x-ray a few years ago on a finger and it was confirmed as osteoarthritis. I'm 49.
The little finger on my right hand has been swollen and very painful for a few months now with no sign of improvement. Swelling is centred around the top joint of the finger but the whole finger is visibly fat.
I have similar issues with other joints – especially my hips, elbows and feet – but it's the hands that bother me most. I feel like a gnarly old lady...
Is this worth bothering a GP about? I have other health issues that I'm already struggling to resolve, so don't want to mention this unless I'm likely to get help! I can't take anti-inflammatory painkillers (Ibuprofen etc) at all due to stomach trouble, and can only take Paracetamol sparingly.

Hi, I’m in the same boat so I’m interested to see if anyone has advice.

You should definitely see a GP as you may be able to ease the symptoms https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/

I (& my family) have arthritis in loads of joints and finally got a diagnosis why recently. It is a genetic connective tissue disorder so all my cartilage is faulty hence the early osteo in multiple joints. Eye and ear issues are common too.

I see a rheumatologist annually for the joints who helps with medication. I have also had joint replacements and arthroscopies.

Voltarol gel helps my hands a bit - can you use that? Best thing though is being somewhere warm 😎

doesn't GP already know, since you had an xray?

not really! My Dm has it badly in her fingers from being a pianist. she was told it wouldn't get much worse after age 70 - i'm not convinced by that as she has barely any grip left at 79 and now has a problem with her thumb/wrist that requires steroid injections every 3/6 months.

I get a prescription only ibuprofen gel from my GP - it's much stronger than Voltarol and definitely helps.

So yes, contact the GP.

I don't know if it's any help, but what really helped for me with my joint pains (think it's likely to be arthritis but never went to GP so don't have a diagnosis) has been changing my diet.

I now eat a fairly low carbohydrate diet (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, plenty of fresh veg and salad, herbs and spices, olive oil etc, some nuts). I avoid bread, pasta, pastry, anything with sugar. It has made my joint pain much better. If I go on holiday for example and have a bit of a carb heavy week, I soon notice the pain returning. I don't know if it would work for everyone, but might be worth a try.

I had an injection late last year, will need another soon. It was hydrocortisone, they inject it using the xray to see where it needs to go, it worked quite quickly and within a week it removed almost all the pain.

My FIL finds compression gloves help.

Have you tried natural anti inflammatories like Tumeric?

I have arthritis in both hands. Steroid injections give me 3 - 6 months relief from pain. I am about to get a thumb joint replacement on my right hand and that should be a permanent fix. There's also trapeziectomy procedure that resolves the problem I have but shortens the thumb. So yes! Do bother your GP!

It’s worth seeing you GP - if they are good. Our last GP said it wasn’t possible to get arthritis in your fingers… (not the only thing she was incorrect about).

have found compression gloves help along with tiger balm or dr organic hemp oil skin lotion, (Holland and Barrett) but this might just be down to the relief felt when rubbing it in. I also use those finger ring massagers, which I admit I thought were a gimmick but actually are wonderful.

It depends if it is "only" osteoarthritis or more complex - eg connective dissue disorders or other forms of arthritis? My GP told me that my multiple joint issues were old age (at 45) and nothing could be done. Saw a rheumatologist (for something else) who diagnosed inflammatory arthritis - which is treatable...

Heated gloves - thermoskin.

@SoMuchToBits

I don't know if it's any help, but what really helped for me with my joint pains (think it's likely to be arthritis but never went to GP so don't have a diagnosis) has been changing my diet.

I now eat a fairly low carbohydrate diet (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, plenty of fresh veg and salad, herbs and spices, olive oil etc, some nuts). I avoid bread, pasta, pastry, anything with sugar. It has made my joint pain much better. If I go on holiday for example and have a bit of a carb heavy week, I soon notice the pain returning. I don't know if it would work for everyone, but might be worth a try.
THIS

Also to add drink plenty of waters
Get plenty of sleep.
I don't follow the above diet, maybe I will try, but I do play about with my diet and find cheese very bad ....

Thanks everyone!

My GP does know but his attitude was 'good news, it's only osteoarthritis' and no treatment offered. I do take turmeric and eat/drink pretty healthily. I didn't think topical things like Voltarol were useful for hands but perhaps it's worth giving it a try. I did have a positive ANA but GP won't refer to rheumatology as follow up blood tests were normal. I'm sure that something systemic is going on as I have LOADS of symptoms of something, but getting anyone to try and join the dots seems pretty much impossible. So I'm trying to fix things one at a time!!

Op- you need to either insist on seeing a rheumatologist via gp or go private. I have a form of inflammatory arthritis not osteoarthritis and my bloods and X-rays are fine. I wouldn’t trust a gp with this.

Turmeric does nothing for inflammatory arthritis nor does diet although I believe sugar can impact inflammation

I have warm paragon immersion baths in my hands when they are really bad. They do help. My local physio (private) offers it

I had an x ray on my hand to confirm osteoarthritis. The gp said it’s osteo bye! It really upset me.

A few years later I’m on HRT and my arthritis is much better. Not totally gone but barely noticeable. The improvement happened within a few weeks. If you’re not on hrt it might be worth considering.

I glass of tonic water every day - I know it sounds stupid but my consultant advised this and it really works. It's the quinine in it. If you are having a bad day, capsaicin (it's a cream or gel made from chilli peppers and is proven to work on arthritis - weaker does over the counter but there is a prescription strength also). Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiable tablets - again there is substantial medical evidence these work. I have very bad arthritis, but I have staved off using serious drugs with these. Oh, and vitamin D every day too - we don't get enough and it's important for many things including joints.

Also - get a better GP! I recall a doctor telling me once that it's a myth that arthritis is worse in cold winter weather. I told him that he could tell me that when he had arthritis himself, but until that time I determined what my pain is like and not him.

Have you been referred to a rheumatologist? They can prescribe things to calm down flair ups I've also had steroid injections that have helped loads. The wait is horrendous as it comes under elderly care even for kids

My bloods and my sister's show nothing I have psoriatic arthritis my sister all three diagnosed by NHS rheumatology they said scans show it bloods dont

Parrafin wax may help

I was coming on to say this. My friend had desperate problems with her fingers. Only a few weeks ago she went on HRT and she can't believe the difference it is making. She is telling everyone.

Might join you but put a bit of gin in it too..