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RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Bette44 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:25:13 GMT

Hi Cindy,

I don't think this is a silly question. My arthritis does not really show on the outside so much, especially in my hands. They look perfectly normal except for my knuckles being a tiny bit puffy. Not enough for anyone else to notice but me. But the pain in my hands if they are squeezed is horrible. Also simple acts like holding a paperback book in the same position or putting up a plate in the cabinet or trying to chop vegetables, even if the knife is good and sharp, all of these things create more pain in what is already a painful joint. Mostly my joints just feel like they are burning on the inside but, when pressure is applied to them it creates a sharp intense pain. Even my hip joints cannot tolorate being pushed on. I hope this helps to answer your question. Cindy this disease is confusing and frustrating on top of being painful. The more you know the more you can prepare yourself. Please don't hesitate to ask. Everyone here is very friendly and helpful.

God Bless you and keep you,

Bette

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Tammy p — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:44:06 GMT

I'm new here, I'm 44 and I just found out about four weeks ago that I have RA. I never even knew I had it. Well here is my story. On a Sunday night I was going to bed I put my left arm under my pillow and it felt like the blood supply was cut off kinda like tingling so I pulled my arm out and started shaking it. Well it felt a little better. So the next morning I noticed it was in both hands and my fore arms. I told my husband that my hands and arms feel funny. My hands felt tight. They feel tingley and numb and hurt. I had no swelling and no redness. They feel like the are asleep sometimes. The next day my hands and arms hurt so bad I could not stand to be touched. I thought maybe it was a muscle thing or nerves. So the next day I had my husband drive me to the Doctors office. I could not drive. I had to take a blood test and come back in a week. She gave me some Mobic for that week. I took it but had no releif. So next week I was told by my Doctor that I have RA. She said it showed up in my blood work. She said my protein was a little high. Everthing else was good. I told her I was still in alot of pain. She said well it takes time for the meds. to work. I said well it don't seem like it's working. She said okay lets try another one I said okay. So I'm on Celebex 75mg two times a day.My hands and ams hurt so bad I can't stand to bathe but I work to do it. I can't wash dishes, cook ,clean the house. I can't stand to hold cold things. Even cold water on my hands hurt so bad. Two days latter I had to go back because I could not stand the pain and my feet was hurting to. She gave me some Flexeril 10 mg. 3x a day. It helped. But I still can't stand pressure or lifting or cold. This has been going on for 4 weeks now. I had no idea it was RA it feels like it's in my nerves not my bones. The pain comes and goes, but is painfull to pick up things. Like it feels so much better now but it still hurts when I try to do to much. I thought I was going crazy like I made this up. I had no idea that I could have pain like this and no swelling or redness and have RA. I thought RA would hurt in your bones not to wake up one morning and find out your pain is caused from RA. I did not know about flare-up's because I did not know I had RA. I Don't know if this is only RA. It still feel likes it my nerves in my arm and hands. I have had twiching in my arms and hands. Thanks for listening to me vent. Tammy

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

ellen smith — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:31:26 GMT

although the pain from arthritis IS inside your body as you said, oftentimes its outside influence (such as the handshakes that you mention) that can trigger the pain.

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

JustJen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:08:49 GMT

I'm new to this forum and to arthritis.

I also thought that arthritis just ached on the inside, but never thought that bumping an arthritic joint would cause excruciating pain... until I dropped something on my bunion. MY GOODNESS!! I saw stars and thought I would have to sit down there on the floor where I stood.

So I'd have to say, YES!

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

starshine — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:31:42 GMT

I have a solution to the hand shake problem. When someone offers their hand, tell them "I can't shake your hand but how about a fist bump." I then offer my best hand in a fist. It doesn't matter if you can't make a tight fist and you can use either hand. Usually, they are caught off guard and are feeling kinda hip so they never question the reason you can't shake their hand. ss

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Grandpavan — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:10:10 GMT

Some people have success with the system described in the link below. I hope it works for you. God bless.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20192

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

SHANNON LOWE — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:17:31 GMT

My hands are really bad. I am careful that I do not do activities that are too strenuous, but I have a problem with shaking hands. My clients always want to shake my hand, and it hurts SO BAD!!! My hands are even deformed and a lot of my clients are local (small town) so they have watched me grow up with this disease. Anyway, they grab my hand and crush it. Even people who look like they couldn't hurt a fly hurt me. Anyone know a way to refuse a handshake without offending the other person? I would also like to be able to do it without discussing my arthritis. I would appreciate any advice.

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Janet Penaligon — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:21:47 GMT

Good morning,
I'm familiar with the pain. I've abused my hands with sports and a car accident, and have had my hand crushed by well-meaning associates wanting to make a good impression with their "power handshake." I'm still in the learning phase about arthritis, and am astounded at how many different forms of arthritis there are. I also heard that certain cancer treatments can make the joints newly sore - is that a form of arthritis, too?

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Pam 14 — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:56:03 GMT

Yes, handshakes, touching or pushing on the hand joints will hurt if they are really inflamed. There are certain things that really can help. Paraffin dips are great and you can either go to a salon that provides the service or purchase your own. The paraffin dips almost always help me. A cheap way to help is to heat a coffee cup with water in the microwave and then wrap your hands around it. Hope your hands feel better soon. Pam

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Cheryl_g — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:42:37 GMT

oh yeah....it hurts. Especially when you are having a bad flare.

RE: Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Tracey Pastrick — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:43:54 GMT

I always thought the same thing...til I was diagnosed.

Does Arthritis hurt when the joint is touched such as a handshake, carrying bags, etc

Cindy Jacobsen — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:38:17 GMT

I know this sounds silly. Everyone out there reading this must be sayin "Duh!". But as a young person, I always had thought that people with arthritis hurt on the inside and that was that. I'm 43 years old and I have achinging & swollen joints in my hands. It hurts to apply pressure directly on the joint whether I'm touching it myself, carrying bags, shaking someones hand, etc.

Like I said, I'm new to this. I've surfed the net, read the symptoms and I can't seem to find the answer to this question. Sorry for such a dumb question.