Owww...

So I've been having joint pain--mostly fingers and wrists--since February of this year. It was really bad when it first started--it was constant pain for the first couple of months. Then, starting in the summer, it only hurt if I used it too much (playing piano or flute, typing a lot, etc.). I've been to the rheumy a few times and she has no answers for me. We've concluded that it is not lupus or RA for sure, and probably not fibro b/c I only match with a couple of the tender points. She won't even give me a general diagnosis of "arthritis." I really miss playing flute and piano, I like to write stories and whatnot (even handwriting hurts) , and my future career will probably involve a lot of time at the computer/typing/writing...will my joints only get worse? Should I find another rheumy (is it even worth it? I'm so sick of doctors not giving me answers)? Will playing instruments strengthen my joints or make them worse?

I have tried braces and they seem to help some. My fingers never swell--they just throb and are stiff (especially after sleeping). Nope, haven't been told about cortisone injections--my primary just refers me to the rheumy, and the rheumy tells me to use Tylenol if gets too bad.
So I guess I shouldn't practice piano or flute since it's not necessary? :(

I forgot to mention, your fingers can be sore and throbbing due to some issues with your wrist. Personally to me it sounds like carpal tunnel.

I would think an orthopedic. If you have had all the tests to rule out arthritis then it might be wise to persue a different course of action by going to a different doctor to find the true cause of your issues. If it is carpal tunnel, they can have you do a variety of things including physical therapy, cortersteroid injections and wearing braces. Worse case scenario is surgery but they only do that if it's really severe.

Thanks Sherry and Kitt.