You are absolutely right and I should have clarified. You have to be extremely careful not to touch your eyes after using diclofenac gel or any medication on your hands. I'm just unlucky that no matter where I use it it now upsets my gut as does the oral medicine. I do take it orally very occasionally when the side effect won't bother me as much as the pain.
Tart dark cherry didn't help me in any form.
I was thinking about asking my rheumatologist about gout and will after what you've said. I do have OA and inflammatory arthritis, Sjogren's. X-rays, MRIs and tests have confirmed them. If we don't make suggestions doctors seem reluctant to order too many tests. That could be because of insurance company dictates.
A suggestion I forgot to recommend is compression gloves. I highly recommend Dr. Arthritis for their service, cost and product. They also included a booklet of hand exercises
Also I finally gave in and started wearing compression socks even though our weather here gets very humid and hot. What a difference even for my toes.
I agree that this website has good information.
@daveshaw please at least try the exercises. You'll be doing something proactive and it costs nothing.