Topic: Swollen Hands

[Jitterbug]

Interesting thread this.

Here I thought that it was just me getting OLD and being a bit of a hypochondriac.  I sometimes get slightly swollen hands but I seem to have the most pain in my knuckle joints - middle and ring finger on both hands - I think it is arthritis??

But now on reading the above posts I see that this pain in the hands also comes with painful legs at night ?  Is this also RSI?  Also have my right wrist clicking all the time.  I am however a secretary and think that might be RSI.  Funnily enough I also take Amitriptiline (for something else) so have inadvertently been treating it. 

I read somewhere that Feverfew leaf tea helps with inflammation for arthritic complaints.

Jitterbug

[carolinej]

Well, I finally got to the doctors to see about my hands. It was quite a surprise to get an appointment the evening I rang, as usually they are so busy, by the time you get an appointment, you are either better or dead!

My GP isnt sure if it is CTS or a problem caused by a whiplash injury I had 4 years ago, which still plagues me. She referred me to someone, I think an orthopedic surgeon. I dont know when I will get to see him though, as the waiting lists are really long, and she wouldnt commit herself as to how long I will have to wait. She also gave me some ibuprofen to try, so hopefully I willl have some relief from the pain while I wait.

I will post the results of seeing the consultant, perhaps this decade, perhaps the next........

cjj :)

[budgester]

I work on a keyboard pretty all day long, being IT person.

A lot of stress on your wrists and arms can be caused by bad posture, so if you work with computers get a workstation assessment done. I've seen people damage their backs, shoulders, wrists fingers just sitting at a desk all day, this can all cause numbness and pins and needles etc.

Down the lottie I've now pretty much given up using a fork or spade and use a 7" azada from http://www.get-digging.co.uk/ for pretty much everything except rakeing to a tilth. Using this there seems to be less bending and lifting, everything is done in a kinda slicing action either up/down or forwards and backwards.

Regards

Budgester

[ACE]

I had  the carpal tunnel thing, but my hands never swelled up. Completely cure after a small op. Pins and needles all day, but the numbness at night was worse.

Still on the bright side I used to put on some jangly bangles and paint my nails before I went to bed, then I did not know who the hand belonged to when it was wandering around my body. ;D

[carolinej]

Well, I finally got to the doctors to see about my hands. It was quite a surprise to get an appointment the evening I rang, as usually they are so busy, by the time you get an appointment, you are either better or dead!

My GP isnt sure if it is CTS or a problem caused by a whiplash injury I had 4 years ago, which still plagues me. She referred me to someone, I think an orthopedic surgeon. I dont know when I will get to see him though, as the waiting lists are really long, and she wouldnt commit herself as to how long I will have to wait. She also gave me some ibuprofen to try, so hopefully I willl have some relief from the pain while I wait.

I will post the results of seeing the consultant, perhaps this decade, perhaps the next........

cjj :)

Thought you might beinterested to know that I finally got a nerve conductivity test this week, after nearly 18 months!!

Turns out I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (oooh, a syndrome ;D). Now have to wait to go back to the consultant for him to decide what to do next.

Apparently, an op is next , according to the doctor who looked at the results. I dont think I'll go down that route unless I am desperate though; not with all the MRSA around at the mo.

How are everyone else's hands. Any better ?

cj :)

[ceres]

Caroline, sorry personal question but are you well other than your CTS?  CTS is often associated with thyroid disease.  It's what got me diagnosed with TD and has completely resolved with thyroid treatment, no surgery needed.  The theory is that in untreated TD, substances known as mucopolysaccharides are deposited all over the body including in small structures like the carpal tunnel where it causes the nerve compression.  Have you had a recent blood test?

[keef]

I had  the carpal tunnel thing, but my hands never swelled up. Completely cure after a small op. Pins and needles all day, but the numbness at night was worse.

Still on the bright side I used to put on some jangly bangles and paint my nails before I went to bed, then I did not know who the hand belonged to when it was wandering around my body. ;D

a bit like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rRA8GYzU8E

[carolinej]

Caroline, sorry personal question but are you well other than your CTS?  CTS is often associated with thyroid disease.  It's what got me diagnosed with TD and has completely resolved with thyroid treatment, no surgery needed.  The theory is that in untreated TD, substances known as mucopolysaccharides are deposited all over the body including in small structures like the carpal tunnel where it causes the nerve compression.  Have you had a recent blood test?

Ceres,

thanks for the reply. I have had blood tests done 6 months ago, so it prob isnt my thyroid. Interesting though.

Was it the first thing your doctor came up with, or did it take a while to get him/her to check?

My son is showing signs of CTS now. He is waiting to see a specialist. The doctor told him it was due to having very small wrists, which he got off me. He's only 18, but it started when he was doing carving in his art course.

cj :)

[ceres]

No, it wasn't the first.  I had a routine private medical for work and I mentioned it and a a different problem with my hands.  That doctor referred me to a rheumy who told me the minute I walked through his door just based on my appearance what was wrong and a blood test confirmed it.

Hope you get yours and your son's sorted, it is very uncomfortable especially if it interferes with your sleep.

[Teena]

Hello all

haven't been on line so have missed quite a lot.

I have lots of pain and numbness in my hands. it started in 1999 with a numbness that wouldn't go away.
I had the CTS operation but it didn't change anything
then was told I have peripheral Neurothapy   which means the nerves in my hands (and feet now) are dying and thats causing my pain.

I have good days and bad and have to use a stick to get about and without my husbands love and care and the joy I get from my allotment I know I wouldn't be here today. I cannot do much but just being in the fresh air and seeing things grow is such a simple yet wonderful experience.

sorry for the moan   

teena

[Hyacinth]

That's not a moan, Teena, you're telling it as it is for you. :-*

All the very very best to you and your lovely husband and keep on enjoying your time at your lottie 8)

Lishka x

[hellohelenhere]

For anyone who is having trouble with secateurs, due to hand pain or weakness - I recommend ratchet secateurs, they really help a lot. You don't have to squeeze harder to get through a thicker stem - you make a series of small squeezes and the blades eat their way through.
I got the cheap, lightweight CK brand:
 http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=22211

and here's some other info I found, about tools that make gardening easier:
http://www.carryongardening.org.uk

[carolinej]

ceres, its good that you got the right diagnosis. That was a good doctor to spot that.

Teena, it's great that you have such a positive outlook. It's the small things that can give us the most pleasure. I am at my happiest on the lottie on a sunny day looking at all my veg ;D I dont think there is much in life that could give me a greater sense of contentment.

cj :)

[Hyacinth]

....following on from Helen's recommendation for ratchet secateurs, I bought a pair of Wyvale's cheapo Yeoman range, pictured here:-
http://www.wyevale.co.uk/Yeoman-ratchet-secateur/0900001422,default,pd.html
I don't use them, so if anyone would like them, I'd be glad to send them to you. Better they help someone rather than be stuck in my toolshed doing nothing  :D

[carolinej]

I'd love to have them if no one else has contacted you yet.

They look really good.

cj :)

[Hyacinth]

I'm PMing you Caroline 8)

[bazzysbarn]

I also have been suffering from pins and needles in my fingers. Have been to the doctors and she has given me ibuprofen. I am going to hospital on tuesday to have some tests done,but the pain is driving me mad at times.It has stopped me doing things which is so frustrating.
  We had a really good crop of apples this year and i had been busy making pies and cakes with them,but now im limited to how much i can do until it starts to hurt.
 After reading all the above from you i dont feel as if im the only one with it. At least we are not busy on the allotment which is a good thing.

[carolinej]

bazzysbarn, sorry to hear that.

Do you find peeling the apples sets it off? I can only do a couple of pound at a time :(

 It's a shame these bodies are so unreliable ::)

cj :)

[manicscousers]

if you can get to a physio, they have given me some 'fingerless gloves' that support my hands, they're really good, I explained I like gardening but pricking out plants hurts my hands, they are made out of nylon-ey stuff, go over my wrists and keep my hands warm  :)
just found it on the internet, they're shorter fingers and  thumb but they do the same job  :)

[Hyacinth]

My surplus Yeoman ratchet secateurs now on their way to CJ 8)