Achy hand remedies?

Diseases & Conditions Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
For the past month or so, I've periodically experienced very achy hands--almost like a writer's cramp in both hands.  Has anyone else experienced this?  If so, what remedies have you tried?  I normally use a heating pad on both hands.  Sometimes, I also play the piano, and the repitition eventually loosens my hands up.  I've been curious about this parafin wax tx machine I've seen at walmart.  Has anyone used one of these before?
 
Thanks in advance!
Elcamino
2
I have a parafin wax...it feels good for a bit, any relief is better than none. I'd give it a try.
Kohl's has really good prices, it's where I got mine. Also, the stones are great too.

TS
3
My right hand feels like someone beat it with a hammer all the time i had c/t surgery 3 years ago and it didn't work the dr said i have nerve damage and arthtris now i have to get injections to relief the pain for a while put ssd dr told me the injections in the long run weren't any good and so did a nother dr i seen last week but as far as the wax my sisters uses it they used it on me in theary it did fill good DEB
4
The parafin wax if often used by physical therapist on peeps that have had hand surgery or pain in the hands. Susie

5

I just told my husband that I wanted a parafin wax machine.  And memory foam for our bed.  I told him that he would gain advantages from at least the memory foam, since he sleeps in our bed too!

I bet parafin wax is good for your skin too.  Does the wax have special conditions/lotions in it? 

Elcamino

6
Both of my hand's hurt bad at times and as susie and TS said the hot parafin wax helps ease my hands up.I have as well put my hands up under hot water and that as well gives me some relief.The funny thing about it that I can take my pain meds and not even touch the pain in my hands.

Thanks
Curley......
a.k.a.Mela...........

7

Actually, Curley, you're right about the pain meds.  The ultracet I take can take the edge off my other joint pains, but for some reason, it doesn't help my poor achy hands or feet, for that matter.

Elcamino

8
a girlfriend of mine swears by this for her hands:
(she's got Crohns, but has Crohns arthritis starting in the hands now)
 
gets a big bowl of cooked hot oatmeal. (not scorching hot)  and soaks her hands in the oatmeal for a good half hour.
the oatmeal not only soothes, but has some component init that acts as an antiinflammatory.  i've read about this too.

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

9
Oatmeal, wow, I need a bath in it. I bought me a hot wax machine and plan to use it in the next day or so. I know when I have used them at the nail shops they feel totally awesome and my hands (skin) feels so much better. It does not dry the hands out like hot water will. Hugs, Susie

10
Now I know what to do with the oatmeal I bought my husband to eat for his high cholesterol. Hand pain is one of my biggest complaints. I will certainly try this in the morning. I guess Straydog's oatmeal bath was a joke, but I am thinking about it seriously since it is anti-inflamatory. I may mix the cooked oatmeal with honey and cinnamon for the pain and take a big hot long bath in it. I wonder if it would help on one of those bad days when the whole body is hurting so badly and no joints will move. I wonder if I will be sticky and have lil oaties stuck all over me or if it will mix in the big bath. It could be worth a try. I could end up feeling smooth and silky, flexible, and smelling really nice :))
11
Susie is right on about what she said.I have a parafin wax machine and I wouldn't take any thing for it.So in my opinion they are well worth the money.Oh I got mine at wal-mart.
straydog said...
The parafin wax if often used by physical therapist on peeps that have had hand surgery or pain in the hands. Susie

Thanks
Curley......
a.k.a.Mela...........

12

what about baking soda or epsom salt in a really hot bath? oatmeal might clog the drain, if you are seriously thinking of that - unless you mean making a large bowl of it and soaking your hands in it.

I took a VERY hot bath last night and it felt sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good on my achy body! I actually (whoops!) fell asleep in it.

***

 

13

CAMama--I take a hot bath every night.  It eases my entire body and I look forward to it--even in the dog days of August!  I will look into a parafin wax machine; I think I saw one for around $30 at Walmart.

Elcamino

14

You know, that sounds divine...let me know how you like it and if it's a pain to use/clean/etc.....I know everyone here who suggested it loves it.......I might have to invest myself!

***

 

15
Hi,
I'm usually on the lupus forum, but pop over here once in a while. I have DDD and arthritis in my thumbs and scleroderma so I've got some hand issues. I had carpal tunnel release and wrist sympathectomies done this past year. The ortho surgeon told me to use the paraffin bath and to get a big natural bath sponge. Get the sponge good and soapy and squeeze it out under nice warm running water. It feels really good and he says it will help with strength and mobility.

xoxo emmie

xoxo emmie

SLE, limited scleroderma, Sjogrens, Hashimoto's, seizure disorder, Raynauds, anemia

16
yeah  Ooooo, what good ideas for achey hands.  Mine wake me up from a sound sleep.  I have a paraffin dip that my kids gave me for Christmas one year.  I bought some really good smelling paraffin that also has aloe (you can buy just about any scent with different combinations of skin treatment).  I dip my feet, hands, elbows, anything I can get in there.  I like to throw a big pair of socks and oven mitts in the dryer for a few minutes and get them good and warm, do my dippin', wrap with the plastic bags and warm mitts and socks, unplug the unit and fall asleep propped up on pillows in front of the tv.  scool
17

Boo--that sounds like a plan!

Elcamino

18
tongue  and then you're ready to be eaten! hah! tongue   Boo, you sound like a delicious muffin right out of the bakery! LOL

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

19
hee hee hee

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds -  Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots

20

nono  All right you guys.  Tone it down.  Muffin?!

By the way, I had a manicure and pedicure to die for yesterday.  Arm and leg massages, hot towels, paraffin....it just doesn't last long enough.

Grandson is here this weekend and I'm painfully reminded of my disease when he's here.  Your should have seen me trying to open a package of Oreos last night.  He's 7 and he he said, "Here GaGa, let me do it".   I wanted to ask him why he doesn't just come live with me and take care of this piddly stuff for me.  Really makes me mad and he's so cute about it.  He says, "come on, I know you can do it" like a coach.  Keeps asking me if I'm going to die because my fingers look so strange.  And he has learned to be gentle when playing with me.  So sweet! 

Going to be a pretty day here, in the '60's.  Need to attempt to get flower beds at business cleaned out.  Springtime in Oklahoma!  Snow and a couple of hard freezes last week.  We'll probably start having tornadoes this week!  These constant changes in pressure are the pits!

Have a GREAT day, Boo (the muffin girl)