My hand has been bothering me - questioning if it sounds like arthritis

Hello :)

I have 'wondered' if I have a form of arthritis for a while. I have had knee pain for years. It worsens when the weather changes drastically. It has hurt more days then not over the last few months now.

My hand is a new problem for me. A few days ago my fingers ached. The ache travelled down in to my palm. It was sensitive to touch as well. Today my fingers are slightly swollen. My wedding band (which is too big due to recent weight loss) is stuck on my finger. What I find weird is that the middle of the top of my hand is burning. When I wash my hands or lightly touch the skin, it hurts. It isn't an overly painful sensation. It just feels like a burning sensation that shouldn't happen from touch.

Is that a symptom of arthritis? I know it is probably neurological.

Thank you.

Hi Manda,

I have had regular arthritis for years; I don't know if it was from being a runner, or jumping out a third story window. Who knows. I would get carpal tunnel sometimes.

Last summer. My hands just ached. One of my fingers would get stuck in the trigger position. By the next week, all my joints were swollen. If I tried to type or use my hands it hurt. I bought special gloves, and I bought a voice to text program. I did not get out of bed for three days. I went to my family doctor, and he put me on pain medicine, and told me to find a good RA doctor.

She did all sorts of tests including x-rays of my hands. She says I have both osteo and RA. I also had Lyme disease. She gave me a shot of prednisone to help with all the swelling. I now take methotrexate once a week and folic acid, and I have been doing fine. Every once in a while I will wake up with two or three trigger fingers, but I can now bend them back. Although my hands look a little funky, the methotrexate has slowed down the process of RA by bounds.

I would go to a really good RA. I found my by going to Health Grades.com I looked up my area, and looked for the highest rated women doctors. I love mine.

Hi Manda and welcome to the forum. You have already been given good advice. When I have a flare, it is just like that. Swollen, red and hot on the top of my hand or foot. Sounds like you need to see a rheumatologist. Best wishes and let us know.
Beth
Patty, It is good to hear that you are having success with methotrexate. Keep an eye on those joints that you're not getting damage.

Thanks Everyone!

Yes, I'm trying to stay away from Dr. Google. Trying......

I don't notice any type of knobs or anything different about the appearance of my hand other then the swelling. I don't think I have RA. I'm just trying to discern if the pain and sensations is the type of feeling that is related to arthritis. I do think it's arthritis secondary to something else.

I will request a referral to Rheumatologist as I've not yet seen one. I am <---> this close to being disregarded by the general surgeon who's been looking into me. This was just the push I needed to keep going and not give in to a 'all in your head' mixed with IBS diagnosis.

Thanks again!