[mamabear]

#1070696

Karen, call your endo and your general dr. as soon as you can. Make sure they know about it and see you in case they want to refer you to someone. I don’t know what it is, i have the same issues but for different reasons. It could be anything and not sure if it’s related to your thyroid or not so get checked out.

[ewmb]

#1070697

I developed nodes on my ring finger during my two years with Graves. Endo says its osteo arthritis. I use otc pain relievers when it gets really bad. I do some finger exercises when I think about it. I have had fibromyalgia for 14 years so this isn’t too bad for me but if you’ve never had anything like this pain I know it’s probably really noticeable. Try soaking your hands in warm water first thing in the morning to get the blood flowing. My mom has told me about taking cheery concentrate for arthritis pain. I think I may try that soon. I hate taking so much Motrin.

ewmb

[scubarn]

#1019303

Of all the weird symptoms I have had, now finger pain?
I had a total thyroidectomy Feb 5th of this year. After 3 weeks post op the 2nd joint in my right ring finger began to stiffen and cause pain. Now it has progressed to the ring AND middle finger to the point where I cannot close my fist upon awakening. The joints are so stiff that they "catch" and get stuck. What’s up with that?

Karen

[Ski]

#1070698

This isn’t something I’ve heard of as associated with Graves’ or thyroid imbalances, but I would definitely get it checked out by a doctor to see what may be going on. If it’s just muscle cramps, that can be associated with hypothyroid levels, but truly, have it examined to figure it out conclusively. Whatever it is, you’re better served by going in sooner than later.

[hyperm]

#1070699

Hi,

I have some experience of OT hand therapy and I would advise you to go to your GP to get it checked out. A simple blood test can identify RA and then they can have a look at x-rays etc…. In the meantime google joint protection techniques/ hand therapy etc… which should give you some advice on how to protect your joints from "locking" and gentle exercises which can help ease the tension and stiffness. If there is a diagnosis of RA/ OA then there is little they can do for you with regards to early morning stiffness (EMS) however anti-inflammatory meds/pain meds taken in the morning should help once they are given time to help. My mum has to lie in bed for 20 mins until she can get up and start to move about.

Do you have a partner who can perform some gentle hand massage? Until you have been seen by you GP then it would be advisable to be very gentle perhaps even just rubbing your hand up and down.

The most important thing is to get it diagnosed. It could be a flare up of RA and it may be a one off situation but its best to get it checked out. In the meantime joint protection techniques are the way to go.

HTH

x

[catsmum]

#1070700

Hi All,
Interesting thread. I immediately thought RA, with GD being an auto-immune disease I think I read somewhere that your are at higher risck of other auto-immune diseases such as RA.
My daughter often complains of joint pain (mainly hands & neck -which makes awful cracking sound!). She’s struggling to write in her exams because of the hand pains. WOnder if HyerM could give me any handy (sorry about the pun ) litlle exercises she could do if it gets too bad when she’s writing?

Take care everyone.
Wx

[hyperm]

#1070701

Hey W,

There are several things Cat could do for dexterity. You can get small aids such as those pencil grippers which go over the pencil to increase the grasp. Also if Cat is worried about writing in her exams you can get working splints which can help support her wrist and joints. Taking regular breaks – to prevent things like repetitive strain injury. I know that I can’t give specific advice as I don’t know peoples diagnosis but here is what I would advise patients with RA/ Stroke/joint pain. Respect the pain so don’t do anything which is causing pain. When you are following exercises ensure that what you are doing is comfortable. The beginning of a treatment is relaxing the hand and encouraging circulation. Perhaps a bowl of luke warm water to loosen the joints and warm the hand. Then if you are applying a hand massage use some hand lotion to prevent friction over the joints.Practicing simple exercises can increase muscle and joint movement i.e opposition. We also use thera putty which is similar to play do.. you roll it out with one hand (back and forward) until its like a long sausage then start at one end pinching it with your index finger and thumb. you can repeat this with each finger pinching with them and your thumb. Repeat with the second hand.

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001801-d0 … 01811.html
http://www.safecomputingtips.com/repeti … tment.html

If you google hand exercises there is a lot of information on there below is a link something similar to what we hand out to patients as homework;
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/PatientEd/ … ds-fin.pdf

For people with RA, parrafin baths seem to have a nice effect and ease pain. If your joints are starting to deviate etc.. now is the time to start looking at splinting which can help considerably.
HTH

M xxx

[Author]

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