Pains in finger joints (arthritis? Advice please)

Boooourns

Hi, recently I've been getting pain in my finger joints, went to the doctor and she said its an early sign of arthritis, was testes for rhuematoid but thankfully that was negative. I'm 38 male and pretty healthy so I'm a bit shocked and worried about this. The pain is spreading a little around parts of the hand, its not painful but I can feel it there.
Went to the health shop and was given udos choice ultimate oil blend and glucosamine complex so I'm hoping these will help.
Just wondering can people offer advice on this, how bad can it get etc. I'm thinking the worst, have 2 young kids and I have no real knowledge of this. Thanks.

Wyldwood

I'm a firm believer in diet adjustments for arthritis. If you can lay your hands on a little book called Curing Arthritis the Drug Free Way by Margaret Hills it's a very enlightening read. She's a nurse and was a sufferer herself and has done a lot of research into it. Try Amazon or maybe the library.

But in the meantime cut out acidic food like citrus fruits/juices, tomatoes, peppers, (potatoes are on the list but maybe just cut back). Drink loads of water.

20 years ago I was told I had rheumatoid markers when I developed severe foot pain. I refused anti-inflammatories and tackled diet and took a tablespoon of codliver oil daily. Thankfully, I never developed the dreaded rheumatoid (yet!) and walk miles everyday.

I may have just been lucky but there's no harm in trying the diet.

Boooourns

Wyldwood wrote: »

I'm a firm believer in diet adjustments for arthritis. If you can lay your hands on a little book called Curing Arthritis the Drug Free Way by Margaret Hills it's a very enlightening read. She's a nurse and was a sufferer herself and has done a lot of research into it. Try Amazon or maybe the library.

But in the meantime cut out acidic food like citrus fruits/juices, tomatoes, peppers, (potatoes are on the list but maybe just cut back). Drink loads of water.

20 years ago I was told I had rheumatoid markers when I developed severe foot pain. I refused anti-inflammatories and tackled diet and took a tablespoon of codliver oil daily. Thankfully, I never developed the dreaded rheumatoid (yet!) and walk miles everyday.

I may have just been lucky but there's no harm in trying the diet.

Cheers I don't eat a lot of those foods as it is . I don't want medicine either so I'll try that stuff I got in the health food shop.

I'm hoping someone who's had it in their hands replies as I just don't know what to expect, I'm ****ting it tbh. Searching the internet is just a bad idea as it throws up doomsday outcomes.

Irishchick

Diet can help some people but it's not a cure all. I was diagnosed with Inflammatory arthritis and Osteoarthirits at 27.

Did your doc say which type? Mine started in my hips and then spread quickly spread to every other joint so I see and orthopedic consultant and a rheumatologist.

Did your GP do bloods to check your inflammatory markers? Would also be no harm to have your hands x-rayed. Different types of arthritis will do different types of damage.

If it's osteo there is not much you can do. Pain killers, gentle exercise and physio if it helps. If you're taking glucosamine make sure it's 1500 mg a day. Anything less is no good. You should no in about 4 months if its making a difference.

Keep a close eye on your pain and if it spreads anywhere go back to your GP ASAP. Also make sure you get bloods done to rule out other types.

Also feel free to message me anytime if you want more info.

Boooourns

Irishchick wrote: »

Diet can help some people but it's not a cure all. I was diagnosed with Inflammatory arthritis and Osteoarthirits at 27.

Did your doc say which type? Mine started in my hips and then spread quickly spread to every other joint so I see and orthopedic consultant and a rheumatologist.

Did your GP do bloods to check your inflammatory markers? Would also be no harm to have your hands x-rayed. Different types of arthritis will do different types of damage.

If it's osteo there is not much you can do. Pain killers, gentle exercise and physio if it helps. If you're taking glucosamine make sure it's 1500 mg a day. Anything less is no good. You should no in about 4 months if its making a difference.

Keep a close eye on your pain and if it spreads anywhere go back to your GP ASAP. Also make sure you get bloods done to rule out other types.

Also feel free to message me anytime if you want more info.

Great info, thanks for that. My doctor never got back to me which is ridiculous, gonna ring back on Tuesday, only checked for ruheumatoid.

nikkibikki

I've got it in my hands. Psoriatic Arthritis is my diagnosis. You might benefit from being referred to a rheumatologist and engaging with physio and OT attached to them.

With my type of arthritis, the rheumatoid factor doesn't show in my bloods. My inflammation markers are usually normal too. Get your GP to check yours, they are called ESR and CRP. I am on a high tech medication for it so too much damage doesn't occur. There is no cure for arthritis. Diet changes may help, no harm in trying. Some people swear giving up wheat helps too.

Get in touch with Arthritis Ireland. The have a Facebook page.

Do you have any other auto immune issues? Psoriasis for example? I've had psoriasis since childhood. I have it in my nails and rheumatologist says thats why I now have arthritis in my hands. It's not easy. OT helps but their resources are stretched. I know what you mean about kids. I've 3 boys. 7yr old and 2yr old twins. Great craic! I find the fatigue more debilitating than the pain. I am unable to do a lot of things a mother should be doing.

Boooourns

Thanks for that and I thought I was bad with 2 young boys My doctor rang yesterday, she basically said not to worry or go back to her until it's gets painful. I've been taking the supplements and they've made a difference, I can still feel it in some fingers and the joint of my thumb but it comes and goes.
Doctor just said to keep my fingers moving and not much else really, also said to stay on the supplements for just 3 months.

I find it worse the day after I'm using my phone or the tablet for a long period so I'll have to cut back on that.
My diet is pretty good anyway, we eat as much fresh food as we can and wholemeal based bread and pasta.