How to treat hands/wrists pain due to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?

Ive got RA and have real issues with my hands , specially with meal preparation, hand splints are ok cept when doing such things. i use gloves with no finger tips I have so many kitchen gadgets and such, the worse part is my car , will I out last it ( in being able to drive)? it is old like me but I dont want to buy another with the way arthritis is

I have had RA for over 40 years. None of the standard medications have helped me.
For hand and wrist pain, I have used compression gloves, cold mitts, warm mitts and CBD balm.
I wear only highly cushioned sneakers and trail running shoes.
I stopped Humira and Methotrexate almost a year ago due to ineffectiveness.

In August of this year, I started on 4.5 mg of Low Dose Naltrexone. This has relieved my symptoms about 80%,
I hope you find some relief 🥰

I find stretching my fingers and rotating my wrists regularly helps tremendously. Gently and slowly. I think they need to move. Its also helped fingers from locking up. Good luck!

@sunshine67 Very kind of you. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

@tisme I sympatize with your situation and would like to help, but I have my share of R.A. - follow the advice of your reumathologist and have faith.

@jdnc2023 Much appreciate sharing your therapy. Will ask my rheumatologist about LDN when I see her next February. Happy Thanksgiving!

@antoniodoria Thanks, and I hope yours is wonderful, too!
I hope your rheumatologist is aware of LDN. 🤞

@jdnc2023 Ive tried a few meds had to stop for various reasons got to see the rheumy next week due to issues with another one. we are in summer and in a heatwave with sky high humidity--------- bad for the RA

It is true that there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis.

Excerpt from Mayo Clinic:
"Joint damage can happen quickly without treatment. But clinical studies show that easing of symptoms, called remission, is more likely with early treatment with medicines called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis also involves regular follow-up with your healthcare team. This is to watch for joint damage, to see whether treatment is working and to look for possible side effects of treatment."
Read more: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353653

As also mentioned, in the article and here in this discussion, exercise and working with a physical and/or occupational therapist can also help keep joints moving.

- Rheumatoid arthritis: Is exercise important? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/in-depth/rheumatoid-arthritis-exercise/art-20096222

This discussion shows that RA often requires a multi-pronged approach. What combination works for one person may be different for another. That's why we share our approaches and discover what works for you.

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@colleenyoung Excellent post. In fact, I'm a patient of the Director of Reumathology at Cleveland in Vero Beach, FL and she is 6 STARS. I have regular follow-ups and follow her directions 100%. Thank you.