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Date: 25.01.2013
From: Steve Renton

Subject: Some advice re suspected(?) arthritis.

Hi there, I don't have arthritis, well not that I have been diagnosed with but I am a bit worried. My mother passed away recently, she was crippled (registered disabled) by rheumatoid arthritis and I am a bit concerned that some form of arthritis is raising its head in me! I am just over 50 and I am getting pain in various joints, particularly my left elbow and wrist, my elbow is painful right from the first movement when I wake up, it is aggravated considerably by lifting anything heavy with my left arm. The wrist has been a problem for longer but the level of pain, uncomfortable to bad, rather depends what I'm doing with it. I play guitar and twisting the wrist is uncomfortable to say the least and if I persist the pain level rises considerably and subsides very, very slowly, into the following day.

Another thing is the thumb, first finger and middle finger of my left hand will occasionally "lock" painfully and can only be freed by moving it with my right hand. When I do free them they want to snap back immediately into the "locked" position. When the thumb "locks" it's across the palm so that the tip is in line with the middle finger. When the first finger "locks" it's straight but at an angle of about 30 degrees towards the palm and angled towards the thumb. When the middle finger "locks" again it's towards the palm, to a lesser angle than the first finger but again slightly to the side. The "locking" fingers started about the same time as the problems with the wrist. Incidentally, the wrist and elbow were damaged a number of years ago in a motorcycling accident.

I keep threatening to see a doctor about it but donāt like bothering them if itās nothing. At the moment the joint pain and locking fingers are an inconvenience but Iām concerned it is the sign of something more.
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Date: 26.01.2013
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Some advice re suspected(?) arthritis.

Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear that you are having some problems with your joints. There are so many different type of arthritis and it would be difficult to know without some blood tests if that is what it was. It could even be osteo arthritis as that can sometimes happen after an old injury. You would not be bothering the doctor at all, that is what he is there for. I think you should make an appointment and take it from there. If it is discovered that you have arthritis then there are many drugs that can ease the pain. There are many new drugs now for r/a that your mother probably didn't have a chance to get so try not to worry too much about that.

I have r/a and before i was diagnosed i felt quite fluey and no energy at all and swollen joints. It may even be tennis elbow that you have or some damage to the tendons especially as you play the guitar but get the doctor to look at it, sometimes a steroid injection can cure.

Let us know how you get on,
Good luck.
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Date: 26.01.2013
From: Steve

Subject: Re: Some advice re suspected(?) arthritis.

Hi rhona, what brought matters to a head and made me start asking questions was what happened last night, well Thurs night. I had been washing the dishes, sounds weird but washing the dishes can bring on the "finger locking syndrome"! I do not know if it is the hot water or holding heavy items in my left hand that causes it? My first finger locked and kept locking for several hours, it has never done that before. When it finally stopped locking it remained painful even after taking painkillers, I can still feel a dull ache in the knuckle well over 24 hours later, again, never had that before. Need to see the doc.
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Date: 26.01.2013
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Some advice re suspected(?) arthritis.

Could be a problem with the tendons Steve or even a trigger finger but get it checked out soon. Perhaps putting a splint or support on may help.
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Date: 26.01.2013
From: Colin

Subject: Re: Some advice re suspected(?) arthritis.

Hi Steve

like Rhona said I would get it checked out & see your GP , if you have a family history of Rheumatiod Arthritis , its only a blood test to check & they can check your inflammatory markers at the same time

it could be osteoarthritis in your wrist & elbow because of your accident but its not allways the case & your fingers sounds like tendons shortening but you need to get it checked
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