Just catching up with this RA development, Patty I'm glad that the Rx is helping out for you. I'm paying attn to the whole thread b/c:

-Kathy has a lot of joint pain and we've wondered about the weather/ humidity factor....re: future living locations Some of her problem is arthritis....

-I've been having a lot of left-hand pain the last few days....probably carpal tunnel exacerbated by a full week of abuse to my hands (demo of our 300 sf porch at the cottage; re-building the structure; installing 300 sf of new decking; and 200 lf of related wood siding I dumbly didn't think of the Ibuprofen routine until a couple days ago.

I have an appointment with both a Physiatrist after the 4th, and a Hand Specialist later in July. Even swimming brings on the pins n needles, so I hope that I can also get a handle (no pun) on the problem soon. I also take a generic version of Zocor....so am interested to hear how many folks have benefitted from reducing dosage, or stopping it alltogether.

I'm sorry to say that even KEYBOARDING makes my left hand start to go numb.....time to stop for now

 

I just saw a commercial on TV and I thought of this thread:

https://www.mypetspainrelief.com

Maybe people can try this spray also and get the same "Joint Pain Relief" as their pets.

 

^Hmm.

I'm trying to be patient and wait the 4 to 6 weeks for the Plaquenil to start working. I've got my hopes up that it will, since I've not needed as much ibuprofen in the past week or so.

 

I've had continual low level numbness in 3 fingers of my left hand....for at least a week now. I know it's carpal tunnel related....seeing a Physical Med doc on Tuesday. He will evaluate this item....as well as a couple other complaints. Fun....fun....fun

It was weird yesterday to give blood at a Red Cross event....having the nurse prick my numb finger and then give blood from an arm that had 3 numb fingers. Am I devoted or WHAT

 

^Yes, you are devoted.

Me too. I gave in my new area. What a treat! Orange County sure has nicer facilities, all around, than the ones I used in Los Angeles County.

The Social Security office here even had chairs to sit in, and people were called to the window. At the Lancaster facility, I stood in a line for 2 1/2 hours!!! If you even so much as looked at your cell phone, like I did, the rent-a-cop came over and told you to turn it off or get kicked out. It was degrading to walk in the door.

My medical facilities and the personnel at Kaiser Permanente, here, are much better and nicer. I'm liking this Orange County place. It's also so much prettier. Nice plants in center dividers and on the road sides. I'm starting to understand why the OC folks think the OC is superior to LA.

 

Jerry,

Regarding Zocor and muscle pain, I stopped Crestor totally for one month and my shoulder muscle pain went away. My doctor protested, so I am now trying a lower dosage (10mg/day) Crestor, and so far, the pain in both shoulders has not returned.

 

So... Those of you with RA or close to someone with it... What do you/they do in the morning to loosen up the stiffness? Any pointers?

When I get up, my right foot hurts to put any weight on it and I hobble around, but later in the day I just limp. My left ring finger hurts if I try to straighten it, so I have to spend time gently making it straight. But it will get stiff again, bent, if I don't keep at it.

 

Patty, have you been experimenting with any of the OTC pain relievers....specially formulated for arthritis relief?

I'll ask Kathy.....as she works with a lot of folks with arthritis in her job

 

No, Jerry. Just ibuprofen. I thought about it today, and I've been taking less of it, and maybe that's why I seem to have gotten worse, lately. I guess I should keep it at a more constant level. I forget that it's an anti-inflamatory, not just for pain.

 

That's like this morning I woke up with a kink in my neck, ignored it, made coffee and went through my usual routine. It went away. I find if I run or do some sort of exercise, my day goes a lot smoother, though some times I pay the price down the line with pulled muscles.
Welcome to old age.
Sometimes you can't ignore the pain, but stretching usually helps, but each problem reacts differently.