Monday 12 October 2015

Not RSI and Sunbonnet Sue drawn again...

Welcome to Faith Archer via Bloglovin and Jackie Holliday via here.

Sorry Essexgran but I have given you a whole week to respond and for whatever reason you haven't. Julia has now been drawn out of the hat for the Sunbonnet Sue book. Just in case there is more than one person called Julia, here is a screenshot of your profile:
Please send me your address via a comment before Wednesday this week otherwise I will draw again!

Can you remember when I posted about my rag rug here,I mentioned how sore I was in my shoulder and thumbs? As it wasn't getting any better, finally went to see my doctor, who confirmed what I was beginning to suspect. Yep, a bit more of me has succumbed to oesteoarthritis, this time, at the base of my thumbs!

I have had flare ups in the past in some finger joints closest to my nails, one of which has got the early development of nodes. I have read quite a few articles on this condition over the years so know I need to keep mobile. The doctor examined me, got me to do various movements, pressed gently then let me know that I still have a full range of movement, even if it is a little uncomfortable at the moment.

He gave me some topical ibuprofen cream to apply when it is at its worse and to stop using it as soon as able. Then I asked what all the crunching noise is when I flex my shoulders - crepitus - and to not do it unless I really felt the urge to. Whilst there is no pain associated with flexing, crepitus is quite noisy, apparently quite common but not necessarily associated with arthritis unless accompanied by pain. Again he tested movement range, pressed and prodded and said not to use the cream at the moment unless I really need to. Well I don't so I shan't!

The only good news, is that oesteoathritis, in general, has a tendency to flare up then die down, which I know, as my finger joints are currently 'quiet' and painfree.

I did want to start another rug but will have to leave it at present I think. Using a wooden spoon, writing for any length of time, knitting etc are all uncomfortable at the moment. DB luckily can weild a wooden spoon with the best of them, but when I wanted to make shortbread, he had to do most of the work.

I know some people take various things to help. I did try them for a while but most of the tablets are huge and I can't swallow them. Might think about going back onto cod liver oil, see how that goes. My sister says that Marjoram oil, blended with oil or lotion and rubbed in might also help.

I wonder if oesteoarthritis is what causes the discomfort at the base of my big toe joint whilst on our walking day?

10 comments:

  1. Ouch it does sound painful. I suppose its all part of getting older......aches and pains. Do you take any supplements? Some people swear by them others say its rubbish. I think if its in your genes there's not a lot you can do. Except keep your weight down and check if you have any triggers. Hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Wear and tear plus age. Apparently it affects women more than men and often over 50 but obviously not always. Joy of joys!

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  2. I have Heberden's nodes on my fingers, the worst being the index finger on my right hand( that finger and the one next to it no longer lie straight and are very much leaning to the right! Some days they're too painful and stiff for me to hold a needle :( It's yet another bit of me that has aged before it's time!

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    1. Mine is right index as well. Hurts like hell when I bang them if they are inflamed.

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  3. Hello once again, please google " Braggs apple cider vinegar" and see what you think, I drink a glass a day of water with two teaspoons of this vinegar. Its worth a look :)

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  4. I hope that it will soon die down so that you can get back to doing your normal things. xx

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  5. A lot of home remedies have a placebo effect. Try to get under a rheumatologist s care - a GP can only do so much. Be wary of supplements; they are not regulated and can react with medicine that you take. If you do try them be sure to tell your doctor. We tend to think that because some supplements are "natural" that they are harmless.

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    1. Thanks for that Lizzie. I know for instance that I can't take St. john's Wort due to interaction. I am very careful about such things.

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