RA and Me...

By symonne

1 min read

My story started officially January 2019 but had been going on for many years. I had been having terrible hand pain on and off during my time as a dental nurse - which I put down to the nature of the job. As time went on I thought it could be carpal tunnel so went to my GP who referred me the hospital for tests. The test was negative for carpal tunnel which instantly threw me as I was convinced this was the issue.

Weeks went by before I was officially diagnosed

As the weeks went by I started to develop horrific pains in my arms, knees, hips and feet to the point I was hysterical trying to get out of bed which prompted me to go back to my GP. The GP I seen this particular day was so understanding and immediately asked me if I had a family history of RA and sent me for bloods. Three days later I had a call saying I was being referred to a rheumatologist who did confirm (after waiting 5 weeks for an appointment) I did have rheumatoid arthritis. The 5 weeks in between waiting for my appointment the pain was unbearable, which ended in several trips to my doctors surgery and numerous painkillers which did nothing.

The medication I use to treat my RA

In the end I gave in and had a course of Prednisolone (steroids) which actually gave me great relief. So now I take hydroxychlorquine, methotrexate, folic acid & omeprazole which does help enormously but the pain in my hands never fully goes.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The RheumatoidArthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Alesandra Bevilacqua Community Admin
<inline-mention user-id="3243055" username="symonne"/> , thank you so much for sharing with us all! Looks like you're approaching your one year "anniversary" with an RA diagnosis. It sounds like it was really a year for you. I can't even imagine the pain and frustration of trying to get out of bed with morning stiffness and achy joints! I'm relieved to hear you're getting some relief with your current treatment plan. Are you doing anything for the pain in your hands currently? Some members find ring splits or compression gloves helpful. Come back and let us know if you'd like! Thank you again for sharing. - Alesandra (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
1. symonne Member
 Hi Alesandra, Thank you for your reply! I've never tried compression gloves will need to look into getting some. The pain in my hands never fully goes, I dont like the idea of taking more tablets , if you or anyone else has any other suggestions/recommendations that would be great! 
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi again Symonne. I saw that you are interested in ideas for alleviating hand pain/issues (definitely a popular topic). In this article our contributor Kat offers some thoughts on help for the hands (there is also a link there for pain management, in general): <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/helping-hands-2' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/helping-hands-2/</a>. In addition, our contributor Wren wrote on the same topic here: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/helping-hands' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/helping-hands/</a>. Finally, if you want to know you are not alone, and perhaps get a good chuckle in the process, check out Daniel's article on why he sometimes thinks his hands hate him: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/hand-weakness' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/hand-weakness/</a>. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Franki King Moderator & Contributor
Welcome to the club, <inline-mention user-id="3243055" username="symonne"/> ! Thanks for sharing your story. I am glad that you have gained what seems to be most of the control over your arthritis. There's no better feeling than finding relief from the unbearable pain. Have you tried any other ways of relieving the pain in your hands? Some things I like to focus on are my sleep patterns and my temperature, but mostly what I eat and drink. Have you looked into any of these? Best, Franki
1. symonne Member
 Hi Franki, Thank you for your reply! I havent yet found anything that fully alleviates the pain from hands. I stay away from caffine and fizzy drinks and am trying to cut down on sugar! I need to get back to gym but not always easy with a 17 month old. I dont sleep great do you find sleep pattern helps? In terms on temp heat definitely help 
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi Symonne. Sleep is definitely an issue for many in the community, Our contributors have written quite a bit on the topic, so thought it might be useful if I shared a link to the results from a search of the term in our archive: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/?s=sleep' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/?s=sleep</a>. This way you can peruse the articles and see what might be helpful for you. Wishing you the best and please know that this community is here for you with information and support. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
mommajosie13 Member
Hi I'm new here, was diagnosed two years ago,after hip surgery two years prior. And both wrist done. And my left elbow. But Dr is just now sending me to RA dr? And I think reason being my hands are hurting so bad. Knuckles are swollen. I've been reading all the info n stories on here. And you all have been so helpful. It's taken 6 months to get to a specialist. N I go in three weeks. There are days I can't move
1. symonne Member
 So sorry I have just noticed I had messages! How have you been?
carolynj Member
Hello. My hands and feet hurt all the time thanks to RA. I use a pain cream the Dr recommended it is: Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel 1% That stuff actually works, with help of pain meds. But alone it does knock the edge off. Good luck!