HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Just wondering in the beginning did you...

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/3/2009 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
blush   Hi Again, still trying to figure things out, When I do simple tasks I notice those joints,  immediatly stiffen and ache . for example, today I was sweeping the kitchen floor, got the dust pan, pick up my little dust bunnies and put everything back and my wrists stiffened and ache just that fast. Also using the computer, once I'm done typing this post my finger will react the same way. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone, same thing happens when I sit from walking(ankles,toes) Kneeling for just moments( I have bad knees so the kneeling is 2 minutes tops)knees feel the same way.

    I am going to the Rhuemy in 3 weeks, so I am trying to keep track of how I am feeling and what affects what so I can tell him. I have pains and aches for so long I think I ignored much of it as normal , I'm only 39 and was once told 10 years ago I had Fibro, then I was to busy and 10 years younger to bother with that.....now I am bothered. I had a positive Rf but only 28.

 

          Hope you might have some input. :-)

Posted 11/4/2009 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Sorry to hear you are in pain.  It has been just over 5 years for me and from what I remember it wasn't so much the small tasks, but my joint pain came on fast in both knees and soon went to my hips, and that was it. I also started out at the pcp and was given the high dose of ibuproferen and then sent on to the rheumy.  Although I will say, until I finally found a med coctail that worked for me, I would get horrendous joint pain that never went away, but it was more in the hips and knees with the burning as if they were on fire.  Do you notice that when you wake up in the mornings your fingers have the swelling and tightness? and if so how long does it take for it to diminish? Since you are unable to complete your daily routine without joint pain, this is something you will want to mention at your appointment, and also your positive RA testing. I've always been sero-negative and at my last visit, I thought my fingers looked pretty good and my rheumy made the comment with a frown that they weren't "too bad".. they are starting to become a bit crooked and larger than they used to be.  I'm about the same age as you are, and to be honest, there are days when I wonder, what will I feel like in ten years? twenty years??  I felt great just five short years ago, so I understand what you mean!

Best wishes at your upcoming appointment and I hope you get the answers you need.

Posted 11/4/2009 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks momto3


I had know idea that swollen tight morning fingers was a symptom, I hate it every morning, I have bad knees ortho told me need a new right one in the next few years, Thanks so much for you reply any information at this point really does help.

thanks so much!
Posted 11/4/2009 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi CK...yes, right over the knuckle area and usually my rheumy looks for the swelling to diminish within an hour of rising, however there are days when it last all day, even after a hot shower, along with overall stiffness.  I think many use this as a gauge for inflammation or how well meds are working. Glad I could be of some help when it comes to this crazy and sometimes frustrating disease.
Posted 11/5/2009 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I remember rolling out of bed unable to straighten my knees they were so stiff and sore, this was before humira kicked in. Now its my feet that hurt. Once I have a shower it seems to get them lubricated and the same with my knees, a few walks up and down the hallway seems to loosen them up a bit. Because I'm flaring my wrists are permanently swollen but worse on usage, I'm lucky my fingers are fine but my rheumy can see a bit of thickening in the top joints.
Keep a diary Miss K write down all your symptoms, the pain you're in. What makes it worse or better. Definately heat6 in the morning helps plus ice after activity helps me. I've got a heat pad that wraps around wrists or hips or knees. I love it. A few minutes in the microwave can bring such great relief.
A worthy investment, best wishes, golitho
Posted 11/5/2009 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Golitho made a good point about the heat or cold and finding out if one or the other (or both) will work for you.  I have found that heat works wonders, but cold is my enemy! I live in CO, and now that the temps have dropped, I seem to be stiff constantly and walking is difficult.  The colder it gets here, the stiffer and more painful my joints become, and my mobility lessens, so I've never actually tried ice packs on my swollen joints for fear it would make them more painful. Try both and see which works best for you.

 

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply