Relief for Arthritis in hands.... trigger finger.

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I have arthritis in my thumbs and use a product from Walgreen's called Aspercreme, which is odor free, and it helps for about 12 hours.  That is definitely better than surgery in my opinion.
 
I held the steering wheel with my left hand in such a way that it stressed my middle finger.

Thats not exactly what I meant when I said I use my middle finger when driving.  :D

I did figure out why people think Minnesotans are so friendly.. when they flip you off while wearing mittens, it looks like they are just waving.  :D

 
good info - I have been experiencing pain in my fingers on my left hand. I will try the multi B and see if that helps, I have also tried the Aspercreme and it does help.
 
I know I am going to catch flak over this but here goes:

In my opinion,  arthritis comes and goes. It is worse some times than others.  So, I go bury a dead cat under a full moon in the back yard and my arthritis eases because that is the nature of the beast. I then tell everyone that has arthritis that the way to help it is to bury a dead cat under a full moon. I believe this to be true because it happened to me. That does not mean I am stupid or a liar. I am relating a true experience, but misconnecting  the  facts. There is really very little that can help arthritis. But, there are many companies that have made a lot of money saying they can.
 
Jim, you are correct.  Correlation does not imply causation, although some like to think so.
 
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 34 years ago. Between treated myself and my treating dogs in my veterinary practice I have used about everything on the market. No drug will cure arthritis. The propose of drugs is to stop or slow the procession of the condition. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are to relieve pain and swelling. There can be side effects to using NSAID. Stomach ulcers, and liver and/or kidney damage. There are several drugs that are used for pain all the way from acetaminophen to morphine. As stated DMSO is a drug that was first used on horses for "shin splints". The danger with DMSO is that it tends to take other "chemicals" through the skin as it penetrates the skin. Most arthritis creams will produce heat to the joints and will help reduce the swelling and pain in the joints. The idea with glucosamine is that they help to restore the synovial fluids in the joints. If one has cartilage in their joints glucosamine should help. Since cartilage is necessary in order to produce synovial fluid...no cartilage, no synovial fluid.

Trigger finger is not necessarily arthritis. One may have arthritis with trigger finger, but trigger finger is caused by the tendons in the finger contracting. This is why sleeping with the hand in a splint might help. However, surgery may be necessary in order to correct "Trigger Finger". 

Frank.
 
The fingers curl up and I must painfully straighten each out before any "grasping" activity.

Mr. Bojangles,

What you have described might not be arthritis but something called Dupuytren's Contracture in which the tendons tend to draw up so the fingers are bent.  My mother had this and you should make sure of the diagnosis.  The tip of her little finger almost touched her palm.  For years I pushed her to have the appropriate surgery because two of my doctors had started out as hand specialists and said if you wait too long the surgery won't work as well.  Sure enough, about ten years later she finally had the surgery and it helped but not nearly as much as if she had done it earlier.  Mother was a beautiful pianist and had to quite playing because of this.  So I urge you to confirm the diagnosis with a hand specialist because eventually you will not to straighten your fingers if it is Dupuytren's Contracture.

ArdraF
 
I have arthritis too, I take arthrotec and tramadol, it helps and the doc said that's about the best they have at this point.
Lately its not helping as much.

One issue I have is my right thumb locks up and really hurts to unlock it, does multiple times a day, an issue for me.
I will try various solutions.

I too got DMSO, but I've read the stuff is really dangerous, I used it on a couple of spots and it helped but I'm afraid
to use it.  Even the amish told me they only use it on their horses.

Epsom salts in a soaking bath helps my aches and pains so I use it too. 

I am going back to taking vitamins and minerals, I really think the B vitamins will really help.
 
I understand.

We both have arthritis and related problems.

The wife has had the "trigger finger" problems
and operations on both hands. Now needs it again.

My Drs. can't agree on type of arthritis I have, as it all is
interpretation of blood test numbers. I have had this
argument with Drs from my 20's, now 67.

My last C-scan showed bulging discs that needed surgery.
The Dr. said "when you can't get put of bed I'll
set you up with the "da Vinci Surgical System".
So far I have avoided that for going on 2 years.
I just do not like surgery of any kind.

What works for me, so far, is a combination for Alieve (Naproxen)
and Krill Oil capsules - 2-3 times a day. Glucosamine once a day.
Some laugh at Krill Oil.
I do not.

I also bought an inversion table. You do not have to be on your
head to help painful back and hip joints. 10 min at 45* angle
takes away a lot of pressure and pain. I found one at Wally World dot com
that works well for my 218 lbs.

For the past almost 2 years the Krill Oil or fish oil (not as good) if not
available, Glucosamine once a day, Alieve as needed and the inversion table
has worked better than any Rx I have ever been given.

I have also found physical therapy to be a total waste of time and I do not
want high powered pain killers.

Everyone has to find what works for them.
Best of luck.
 
Lorna:
Some Medical information on internet talks surgery and gives description of same... whoa.... not yet for me Away off from that course of action.

Steve N Dee:
May try splints.... supplements first.

Cader ZC: and SMR:  Thanks for inputs.

HALFWRIGHT:
Your handle says it all.... at least it reflects your comment, thank you- I think I understand.

NED:
Correlation, once verified, can reflect the root problem in all mankind. At least the "Scarecrow" in Dorthy's OZ might think so. Thanks for the words of wisdom.

Frank Hurst: Some good insight.... thanks.

ARDRAF: Some more good insight. Thanks.

PatrioticStabilist: Going to work with suppliments for now thanks for inputs.

OLDME: Thank you also -
Inputs from yo'all have helped my understanding.

I'm starting with Glucosamine Sulfate tablet one (1000mg) per day for now.
Sailorbird: A question.  By "Multi B tablets" did you mean Multi Vitamins?
I found Complex B tablets but do not know exactly what you meant.

Mr. Bojangles

 
I took Seilerbird's comment as a B Complex which has the entire range of B vitamin types in it.

ArdraF
 
Ten years ago, as part of a patio I was building, I built a gravity wall with 25 lb blocks.  When setting those heavy blocks, I would secure them with a rubber mallet.  One time when I had my left hand a bit too close to where I wanted to mallet to land, I smashed the middle finger of the left hand.  Ouch.  Off to the doctor and fixed up with a splint. Not broken but wow did that hurt.  For no reason, while my left hand was somewhat incapacitated, the middle finger on my right hand began to ache.  I was developing arthritis in my right hand.  Now I was left with two hands that didn't work very well.  My initial concern was I would not be able to play the piano.  While I don't play well, it's my passion.  Anyway, the pain was quite bad.  Eventually my mallet stopping finger started feeling better.  The arthritic finger continued to hurt.  However, after a while, less than a year as I recall, it stopped hurting as well.  I have no idea why but I'm grateful I no longer have that pain. 

The only thing I can think of that may have helped was continuing to exercise on a regular basis.  In fact doing push ups may have been the most important exercise I was doing. 
 
I have not read the entire thread but did see one reference to RA, rheumatoid arthritis.  You should have the doctor check for it.  It is a simple blood test and is an auto immune disease that has to be treated specifically.  I have RA as well as my wife and daughter.
 
ArdraF: I believe your right, but, Seilerbird will answer I'm sure. I called him Sailorbird in error early in post.

garyb1st: Grateful you don't have any pain.... I can understand that. It's my belief that what we ingest does influence our body, pain and pleasure. My problem is correlation (ha) of food facts and remembering what not to ingest. I find that I'm limited.

thdchief:  your comment and others have made me realize that my Post title is wrong - should read: Relief for "trigger finger" like discomfort.
Oh, the error in me.... I gotta get my mind right.
Something "Cool Hand Luke" might say. Ha ha. Thank you.
 
"thdchief:  your comment and others have made me realize that my Post title is wrong - should read: Relief for "trigger finger" like discomfort.
Oh, the error in me.... I gotta get my mind right.
Something "Cool Hand Luke" might say. Ha ha. Thank you."


I understand.  just trying to help.
 
In the last 3 days, Ive made and helped make 10 dozen lefses, 18 dozen rum balls, and 8 dozen krumkake. My fingers are screaming at me. It reminded me of my old standby... Ibuprofen. I think that works better for the short term than anything.


Caryl
 
Just want to add...
When we lived in Fl the Primary Care Dr. did not want to referral me to
an Orthopedic Specialist for some reason. It took awhile and I had upped
the Alieve aka Naproxen sodium 220 mg (naproxen 200 mg) from 2 per
day to 12 per day. The Primary Care Dr. was upset and finally made the referral.

The Orthopedic Dr. had been around for many years.
He had been a Flight Surgeon in Vietnam and afterwards opened his practice in Clearwater.

When I told him about the 12 Alieve - Aka Naproxen sodium 220 m g (naproxen 200 mg)
and that the Primary Care Dr. was upset, he said he could not understand why the Dr. was upset.

All I was doing was using over the counter  Naproxen sodium  where he would heave written
an Rx for the same amount in pills that would have been fewer dosages. He would have
started me on 500 mg (which he did) several times and day and reducing as pain lessened.

His one caution was make sure to take something to protect your stomach with any
pain or anti-inflammatory medications. Take Omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) to protect the stomach
from ulcers.

That caution the point of my additional post.
No one needs more problems.

Hope everyone finds what works for them.

Note: We do NOT take any Ibuprofen at our house.
The wife has non-alcoholic related cirrhosis of the liver and
studies have show Ibuprofen causes additional damage to the liver and kidneys.
 
cadee2c said:
In the last 3 days, Ive made and helped make 10 dozen lefses, 18 dozen rum balls, and 8 dozen krumkake. My fingers are screaming at me. It reminded me of my old standby... Ibuprofen. I think that works better for the short term than anything.
Caryl
Carol,
Ibuprofen is my friend also, reduces pain and swelling in the joints
...but me thinks that you were not making the rum balls correctly if you still hurt anywhere  8) .

Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine
I like to drink you with a little salt and lime
Did I kiss all the cowboys? Did I shoot out the lights?
Did I dance on the bar? Did I start a fight?... (by Shelley West, circa 1986)
 

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