I am 40 years old and had some x-rays done on friday for a very painful left hand. Its mostly the whole thumb area back and front. The front part has a burning pain.
I just got my results today and the nurse said it was loaded with arthritis. I am now going to see a hand specialist on friday.

What can actually be done for arthritis? Anyone know?
(I've had cortisone shots but it only helps temporarily, and not as much as it did)

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Mary

I am sorry you are suffering with pain. I take any pain killer with anti inflammatory in it. Also a home paraffin hot wax helps but it is temporary.

It just comes with being over 40. Let us know what the specialist says.

depending on how bad it is they will probably put you on a medication just for arthritis. Just be careful because many of those medications are linked to heart problems.

I have arthrtis in my left ankle and knee, and it is pretty severe. However I have had some lucky with Tylenol Athritis. Heat also helps mine.

**edited to add: I am not over 40. My arthritis is from 6 different surgeries I had on both areas... mostly caused by scar tissue and what not.

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“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

I am sorry. I know how bad it hurts. I have arthrits in my knee so bad I need a replacement. They wont let me as I am too young. I have needed one since I was 29! I I am now 37 and suffer with it. On top of it I have fibromyalgia!

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Casey loving wife to Steven mom to 4 bratty girls Amanda, Rebecca, Jessica and Makayla
Where did my baby go

If you are drinking any diet drinks- STOP!!!!! The aspertame in the drinks is an inflamitory and will make your arthritis worse! Massageing helps(although it hurts!) There is something else my mom, sister and aunt take, a supplement, but my brain is foggy right now and I can't think of what it's called. I'll post again as soon as I remembr.
-C.

I have a type of inflammatory arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. Sorry for your diagnosis.

The good thing is once you have a diagnosis, you can do something about it and prevent further damage. There are some great drugs out there and more coming all the time. You may also look into physical therapy. It does help!

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I'm not really knowledgeable about arthritis - can physical therapy, strengthening the surrounding muscles help it, or will it aggravate it? If you are prescribed any of the newer arthritis medicines, be sure you ask about the Dr.'s personal track with it and side effects, then do your own medical research. They had prescribed Vioxx and the other one for me, I think it started with B. It didn't work, so I stopped taking it and am glad I did, as it turned out there were major issues caused by the meds in many.

I hope you find something!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Make someone's heart smile today.

Well the dr. didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know. I will probably need surgery when I'm ready for it.
He told me to try Motrin(tried Aleve...doesn't help)
I should wear my thumb splint. I figured I should wear it during the day when it hurts mostly instead of at night. So far it has been keeping it from hurting like it has today. I can't stand wearing it at night. I wear it for about 2 hours then take it off because it bugs the heck outta me and it gets hot.

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Mary

My Mom has severe arthritis in her hands and it started in her late thirities. I sympathize! She does take Motrin and glucosamine.

Dh's Aunt, who lives in Argentina, was considering getting some sort of bee therapy for the arthritis in her back. They were going to apply live bees to sting her and supposedly it provides long term relief.

Actually, if you're going to use a splint, you should wear it at night. You're much more likely to injure yourself when you're asleep because you're not aware of what you're doing. You can go without it during the day because you're more likely to be careful and the pain will warn you that you're doing wrong. Just be careful about swelling, especially at night. You don't want the splint to be too tight.

If it is inflammatory arthritis, you have a choice between: asprin, ibuprofen and naproxin. Motrin is a brand name for ibuprofen. Naproxin didn't work for me, but it does for some people.

And yes, inflammatory arthritis is helped by movement. If you don't move the joint, it will 'gel' and then it will be really hard to get it moving again. There is another type of arthritis that occurs from repetitive stress and a wearing down of the joints. That's not inflammatory arthritis, though.

Did they tell you which you had?

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."