Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Among the several joints I had affected in my hands was my right thumb. It was twice the size of my unaffected left thumb and was very stiff and painful. I couldn't even hold a pencil. Enbrel resolved most of this within a couple of weeks when I first took it. It still bothers me from time to time because I think there was some permanent deterioration before I started Enbrel. Nowadays, as long as I stay on a single dose of Enbrel every two weeks it seems to be under control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 My RA has recently really started affecting my thumbs. I have my good and bad days like anyone else. Can anyone recommend a good pair of gloves or splints or something that would help? I am a teacher and have a one year old so am using my hands a lot! As always, thanks! beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 I found a product online that was helpful. It is a moldable plastic thumb support. You place it in very hot water and then have someone mold it to your fingers. I used mine about a year and recently remolded it because the joint deteriorated more.....The product works.... May I suggest fat pens, jumbo chalk....I was also a teacher and blackboard work became very difficult. Raniolo From: beth Costa <elizcosta@...> Subject: [ ] thumbs Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009, 12:11 PM My RA has recently really started affecting my thumbs. I have my good and bad days like anyone else. Can anyone recommend a good pair of gloves or splints or something that would help? I am a teacher and have a one year old so am using my hands a lot! As always, thanks! beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 One of the things I have discovered quite accidently living in Seattle, which is terribly cold, but when the temprature falls to around fifty degrees I wear gloves when I go out. Keeping my hands warm or at least not letting them get really cold seems to help throughout the day. Now I've been told from more than one source that heat and RA are not good and to avoid it. Well, I don't avoid it, I use it and it seems to help and it feels good. I also use an ice pack on occassion when I'm having and acute episode and it seems to help but it doesn't feel good. Like you, I have issues with my thumbs and fore fingers so just last week I specifically asked my Rheumatologist what to do about it. She said to ignore it, it will go away! I think every Reumatologist should have RA for day, not the bad stuff, just the daily crap we have to put up with every day. Attitudes would change! Stan Seattle, Gray and Wet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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