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

That is a good question.
I just had my 3rd wrist surgery and is healing. At night I wear hand braces but it is the day time I’m having trouble with. In the kitchen, very skinny straight edge, screwdrivers, and pliers that is adjustable. For opening jar and other things. I also got some great scissors the kind that come apart for easy cleaning. Mine is Cutco, got one with red handles.
I will be checking to see what other people say.
Thank you for the question.

Hello!
The best thing you can do for yourself is always keep the hands warm and do finger and hand exercises. My fingers and hands were very bad, my left hand was shaped like a claw, unusable, when I started to attend an arthritis exercise class with a licensed trainer/yoga instructor. Few weeks into class the trainer took me aside and showed me hand exercises to perform which I faithfully completed x2 daily with excellent results as my hand is no longer a claw, but a working hand once again. There are many you can do, even just 5 minutes daily until build up to 10 minutes, so look online under Arthritis Foundation, Mayo Clinic, etc. Personally, did not use any drugs as my drs told me there is no cure or treatment. WOW were they all wrong! Did use Biofreeze in the beginning after exercises on top of three fingers on claw hand by massaging in for instant relief. Good luck! (tried to send video of hand but did not accept)

@antoniodoria There are treatments for RA, ranging from anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or meloxicam in mild cases, to DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) like sulfasalazine and leflunomide to biologics like Humira or Enbrel.
The hardest thing is finding exactly what will work for your particular type of RA - according to my rheumatologist there are over 200 types - with the least side effects.

I use leflunomide, Voltaren gel, hand and wrist braces, therapy tape, ice and heat. Cold and damp weather cause my RA to flare, so sometimes I just have to grit my teeth and wait it out, or use my art or a good book to distract me.
Hand exercises like @sunshine67 also can help in some cases, as well as OT by a specialized hand therapist.

When I had very bad arthritis in my hands what I did was hand exercises from the mayo clinic kind of loosens up the joints a little bit as much as they can be loosened up. It certainly can’t hurt to try those gentle hand exercises I’m pretty sure they were from the Mayo Clinic. As a matter fact I tried to do the exercises two or three times a day can’t hurt it loosens up the joints. Hope your hand pain gets better with the exercises!!!

Yes there are drugs, the drugs you listed carry serious side effects, serious drug allergies, serious adverse reactions when mixed with other drugs. I was answering @antioniadoria in reference to her RA in her hands, and giving her a proven alternative to drugs if this is her choice. In my medical career I have seen amazing and miraculous healings by very dedicated OT & PT therapists that you would not think possible.

Thank you, all. Very interesting. Different views and remedies. I currently manage with Tylenol Arthritis 650MG - a total max of 4 a day. Arthritis gloves at night. Keep our faith.

@antoniodoria If you have rheumatoid arthritis, Tylenol does not relieve inflammation, so is less effective over time than an NSAID or DMARD.
Have you consulted a rheumatologist yet?

I have had RA for over 30 years, since age 42. My mother lived with it for over 40 years, my husband has had it for that long as well, and my daughter has it.

I use both PT and OT for many orthopedic issues related to arthritis, as well as the adjunct therapies. RA symptoms may be improved by PT/OT but the disease is not cured, and the damage continues.

NSAID's, DMARD's and biologics are all effective. Each of us must decide whether the risks and possible side effects are outweighed by the benefits. My hands and wrists would be in much better condition today if I had been treated earlier. As it is, I am facing the prospect of joint replacements or fusions.

@sueinmn Thank you. Best wishes to you.

@sueinmn Yes and she has decided for Tylenol 650MG to avoid interaction with other medications for other conditions.