I have an old person question-updated

romarie

And I doubt any of you can answer unless you work in the medical field. 

Does anyone on here have arthritis?  If so, what are some things you can do to alleviate the pain?  I know MOST of you are a good 10 years or more younger than me, but it is possible.  I only ask because my hand has been KILLING me lately.  I can't make a fist anymore.  By the end of the day, my wrist feels as it has been stabbed? I'm not even sure it's arthritis, could be carpal tunnel or whatever.  I can't get into my Dr until after we are back from vacation but will have it looked at then. 

TIA for any advice.  

Update:

It is tendinitis with a touch of arthritis.  He has me in an ace wrap, and a brace while at work and if i'm home and not too busy take the brace off and use some heat.  He also said to take advil religiously for a while.  Best thing is to take a break from the repetitive motion which is perfect considering i go on vacation tomorrow for 10 days!!

pourroni

I do have arthritis in my hips.  There really isn't much I can do other than rest and take anti-inflammatory drugs (ibprofen).  It does get worse during the spring and fall with the big fluctuations in the temp.  It sounds like it could be carpal tunnel or tendonitis.  I have tendonitis in both wrist and I have flare ups about twice a year.  I wear a stabalizing brace to help it until the pain goes away.  I have one from the doc and the other hand I just got at CVS.  Maybe give that a try.

romarie

update!  My dr's office just called and they had a cancellation!  So I go in at 10:15.  I will be able to get this looked at before vacation!  lol

MrsKizdoodle

I got a moust pad with gel cushion thing and a long one to rest my hands on when I would type.  That helped a LOT.  I'm on the computer ALL day using AutoCad so I've dealt with plenty of hand/wrist pain, especially when I first started.  I also got one of these mice(?) to use since it limits hand movement (you roll the read ball around to move around the screen).  It was weird at first but now I'm totally used to it.  I even ordered one for home since I liked it so much.

 

Also, make sure your work station is ergonomically correct.  When you hold your hands out to type there should be a slight slope down from your elbows to the keyboard.  I think most people's workstations aren't set up right for them - I know mine isn't.  

MrsKizdoodle

romarie:

update!  My dr's office just called and they had a cancellation!  So I go in at 10:15.  I will be able to get this looked at before vacation!  lol

Whew!  Good luck!  

Sue/Mike

I 'm surprised they said to put heat on it.  Heat brings in blood flow, which helps healing, but not inflammation.  Cold compress and ice to help inflammation.  Keep popping that ibuprofen/advil.  And types of NSAID will help.

My mom gets a steroid injection in her knee every six months for inflammation and says it works wonders.

Sue/Mike

I 'm surprised they said to put heat on it.  Heat brings in blood flow, which helps healing, but not inflammation.  Cold compress and ice to help inflammation.  Keep popping that ibuprofen/advil.  Any type of NSAID will help.

My mom gets a steroid injection in her knee every six months for inflammation and says it works wonders.

mrs.mary&jesse

If your doctor doesn't suggest it, you might consider going to an occupational therapist if things aren't better when you get back from your vacation. There are some that are certified hand therapists (could be a physical therapist as well, but usually occupational). They can make custom splints, educate you on ergonomics, etc, and teach you exercises that can help alleviate the pain as well as do some modalities and/or taping/bracing to help the pain immediately.