|
|
Stiff fingers - starting of arthritis?
06-12-2014, 07:06 AM
|
#1
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 728
|
Stiff fingers - starting of arthritis?
I noticed my fingers sometimes feel kind of stiff for the past few months, especially so in the morning. I initially dismissed it as a result of spending too much time typing on the smartphone but I now wonder whether I am having early stages of arthritis. I am 54 years old and am fairly active. I guess I should see a GP for a diagnosis. What can I do to delay or get rid of early arthritis?
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
06-12-2014, 07:19 AM
|
#2
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,021
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscyn
What can I do to delay or get rid of early arthritis?
|
Welcome to the initial symptoms of old age.
I think your plan to see a doc is the right move.
__________________
Numbers is hard
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 07:23 AM
|
#3
|
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,696
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo
Welcome to the initial symptoms of old age.
I think your plan to see a doc is the right move.
|
+1
Could be lots of things, hopefully not arthritis. One hand or both? Are your knuckles red or inflamed? Any tingling in the fingers or uncharacteristically dropping things (like keys)?
__________________
In economics, things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.”
― Rudiger Dornbusch
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 08:18 AM
|
#4
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 728
|
Both hands, not really always dropping things but did noticed sometimes my grasp is not so firm. Finding hard to twist open bottle caps for some time already. No redness at the knuckles. I hope the GP won't put me on any medication as I always prefer trying other cures like exercise, health food or change in lifestyles.
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 08:43 AM
|
#5
|
gone traveling
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscyn
Both hands, not really always dropping things but did noticed sometimes my grasp is not so firm. Finding hard to twist open bottle caps for some time already. No redness at the knuckles. I hope the GP won't put me on any medication as I always prefer trying other cures like exercise, health food or change in lifestyles.
|
If it is arthritus, treating it early can be important. Go see your Dr without delay.
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 08:52 AM
|
#6
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 483
|
Both my DW and I have had what they call "trigger finger" when a single finger (in my case index) doesn't extend on it's own. You literally have to straighten it out. Like the joint gets stuck. Usually happens when you wake up. Apparently your hands tend to curl when you sleep. DW got a cortisone shot and hasn't been bothered again. Mine just kind of comes and goes. Minor annoyance. Comes with age I guess.
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 08:54 AM
|
#7
|
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,696
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscyn
Both hands, not really always dropping things but did noticed sometimes my grasp is not so firm. Finding hard to twist open bottle caps for some time already. No redness at the knuckles. I hope the GP won't put me on any medication as I always prefer trying other cures like exercise, health food or change in lifestyles.
|
Not sure how to deal with the age thing, despite the associated pains I'd rather grow old than not. Lots of pricey medications in this category (arthritis, anti-inflammatory). Not many have shown much advantage over aspirin, and lots of drug related stomach issues.
Your focus on diet is a good thing, this is an area where diet can make a difference. Reducing or eliminating foods that cause inflammation can help a great deal (tomato sauce ). DW is certain that some foods and herbs are natural anti-inflammaroty agents (tumeric). I'm not so sure but at the same time have no doubt that diet, regular exercise and stretching have made arthritis pain easier to live with.
__________________
In economics, things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.”
― Rudiger Dornbusch
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 03:13 PM
|
#9
|
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,339
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DFW_M5
If it is arthritis, treating it early can be important. Go see your Dr without delay.
|
+1 on that! DW's mother had severe rheumatoid arthritis, requiring much medications, multiple joint surgery/replacement and constant pain. It is something to be very afraid of.
That said, DW's doc said that the treatments now are so much better that DW will never have the experiences her mother had. But still, after seeing the way that woman suffered for decades with it if a doc ever tells me I have it I'll probably faint dead away.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
|
|
|
Stiff fingers - starting of arthritis?
06-12-2014, 05:53 PM
|
#10
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 728
|
Stiff fingers - starting of arthritis?
Thanks, everyone. I do hate growing old but like MichaelB said - better to grow old than not. I spend a good part of my retirement life trying to delay age- related disease by exercise, home cooking to eat better, etc but however fast I run, age runs along and sometimes runs faster. Will see the GP soon.
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 07:06 PM
|
#11
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,252
|
Yep, the problem is really two-fold: The parts of you that shouldn't get stiff now do, and the parts of you that should get stiff now don't.
|
|
|
06-12-2014, 07:53 PM
|
#12
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 728
|
LOL, you are just too funny but very true!
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 01:46 AM
|
#13
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 728
|
GP said not arthritis, just signs of growing old. Well, that's good news, in some way.
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 05:41 AM
|
#14
|
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,696
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscyn
GP said not arthritis, just signs of growing old. Well, that's good news, in some way.
|
That's excellent news.
__________________
In economics, things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.”
― Rudiger Dornbusch
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 06:32 AM
|
#15
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,065
|
growing old is not for the faint of heart
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 07:24 AM
|
#16
|
Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Peru
Posts: 6,335
|
Arthritis is not a "one size fits all disease". Almost everyone I know who is in my age bracket... 70 to 90+ has some degree of arthritis. For most, an accepted part of the good fortune of still being here. Stiffness and aching joints become a part of growing old.
At some point, even the most naturopathic oriented sufferers will accept the help of NSAIDS, and most will take the discomfort in stride.
That said, many will suffer extreme pain and become disabled to some extent. Canes, wheelchairs, walkers, gnarled fingers, feet and limited mobility become a part of life.
It's just the way things are.
Most of us accept the gradual onset, and just modify what we do to be within our ability... avoiding the painful movements, and learning to use the tools that are available to help do the things that were easy in the early years.
Exercise "routines"... even as simple a walking or climbing stairs can be modified to avoid the shock stress... water-walking or swimming and bike riding help to maintain muscle strength, without the follow-up joint pain.
Tai Chi and simple stretch exercises are good alternatives.
It is sometimes difficult to give up those activities that have been ingrained during the younger years. While not too common, some of my community neighbors have tried to stick to their old regimen... running, weight lifting or even aerobics (especially for the women)... Too many times, this has had negative results... knees, hips, and severe muscle strain.
My thinking is that listening to your own body is the best advice.
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 08:34 AM
|
#17
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern California
Posts: 549
|
I have mild joint stiffness...I am careful when I exercise to be gentle. I think swimming and bike-riding are good options. And, I am a big fan of herbs such as willow bark to help with inflammation.
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 09:05 AM
|
#18
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,498
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscyn
GP said not arthritis, just signs of growing old. Well, that's good news, in some way.
|
Excellent! However, you still might want to try glucosamine chondroitin as suggested above by omni550. The worst that could happen is that it wouldn't work. Even my rheumatologist had no issues with anyone who wishes to take it, since it is regarded as safe and simply a food supplement.
The reason I suggest it is that I am 66 years old, as opposed to your age of 54, and I have yet to feel any stiffness or pain at all in my fingers (wish I could say the same for my hips and knees! ). So, I find it hard to believe that it is simply age and not some sort of mild, subclinical arthritis. But then, what do I know? Maybe other people get aches and pains of aging in their hands instead of their hips, knees, back....
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 09:26 AM
|
#19
|
Administrator
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: N. Yorkshire
Posts: 34,122
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscyn
GP said not arthritis, just signs of growing old. Well, that's good news, in some way.
|
That is good news
I was convinced I had arthritis in my shoulder last year causing tendonitis as I had already had surgery 10 years on it to plane off bone ridges that were causing tendonitis. The doc agreed it was tendonitis and sent me to an ortho doc who had an MRI and X-Ray done and concluded it was tendonosis, with only 'normal' signs of arthritis for someone my age.
Sometimes it is good to hear that you hurt simply because you're old
My tendonosis was fixed doing physical therapy (although I've had to stop playing tennis )
__________________
Retired in Jan, 2010 at 55, moved to England in May 2016
Enough private pension and SS income to cover all needs
|
|
|
06-20-2014, 09:35 PM
|
#20
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Thailand countryside, Sisaket province
Posts: 1,331
|
You might want to get a referral to a Rheumatologist for a more expert opinion on an arthritis diagnosis. Also, you can get a blood test to check for general inflammation in your body. That's how my arthritis was diagnosed. My pain symptoms were kind of weird but I had 3 blood tests in the row that showed high levels of general inflammation. My GP then sent me to a Rheumatologist.
__________________
Happy, Wild, and Free
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Quick Links
|
|
|