Arthritis

"animaux" wrote in message
...
Does anyone her who's been diagnosed with osteo arthritis in their hands
have
the following symptoms:

Upon waking up,

very stiff joints
very stiff skin on the joints
clicking when bending the thumb
puffy, swollen flesh near knuckles on hands
inability to make a tight fist without pain
very weak, so weak can't open a cap on a ketchup bottle?

Just wondering if this is familiar to anyone who has been diagnosed.

Victoria

These are classic symptoms of Osteoarthritis. The stiffness is worse in the
morning and after naps and lessens as the affected joints are used. The
swelling is sometimes helped by NSAIDS such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxin
sodium, etc. Tylenol may help the pain a little, but will not help the
inflammation. I hope you are speaking in the hypothetical and not from
personal experience! If so, I hope you find treatments that help. Usually,
gentle exercise and regular use of the affected areas help alleviate the
stiffness and discomfort.

Good luck!

LittleBit

"animaux" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 07 Aug 2003 18:30:22 GMT, "Elizabeth Bonello"
wrote:

These are classic symptoms of Osteoarthritis. The stiffness is worse in
the
morning and after naps and lessens as the affected joints are used. The
swelling is sometimes helped by NSAIDS such as aspirin, ibuprofen,
naproxin
sodium, etc. Tylenol may help the pain a little, but will not help the
inflammation. I hope you are speaking in the hypothetical and not from
personal experience! If so, I hope you find treatments that help.
Usually,
gentle exercise and regular use of the affected areas help alleviate the
stiffness and discomfort.

Good luck!

LittleBit


Unfortunately, I am speaking from my experience when I wake up all night
from
the pain, and any time I nap or watch television and don't move my hands
for 15
minutes or more.

Of all the symptoms, the loss of strength bothers me the most.

That can be very frustrating. I find the Good Grips kitchen utensils very
helpful--they were designed with people who suffer from arthritis in mind.

Sending good thoughts your way....

LittleBit

"animaux" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Aug 2003 21:06:28 GMT, "Elizabeth Bonello"
wrote:


That can be very frustrating. I find the Good Grips kitchen utensils
very
helpful--they were designed with people who suffer from arthritis in
mind.

Sending good thoughts your way....

LittleBit


Are those the tools you put around the top of the jar and open it? I saw
that
in the store the other day. I may need to buy one. For years I got away
with
the rubber square thingy, but I've lost all my torque!

Yep! They also make potato peelers and other tools that are more
ergonometrically correct. Once you start using them, you wonder what took
so long for you to try them!

Thanks for the thoughts, mine back to you...

Thanks!

LittleBit