Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis

Thanks Doctor, for your detailed article. I found it very useful. Thanks George

These aritcles all address treating arthritis in the major weight bearing joints. I can find very little on erosive osteoarthritis of the hand which is inflammatory although the blood work that measures inflammation in the body does not reflect the condition. I also can find very little on treatment. Anyone out there been diagnosed with this form of arthritis.

Symptoms: swelling, very red at site, some pain.

 

suspecious of diagnosis.  Currently taking Naproxen Sodium since last Thursday.  Swelling has diminished but other symptoms remain.

This is my first time posting.  I have had severe joint pain since 8/2007. Went to regular doctor at that time and she ran labs: positive ANA, negative for rheumatoid factor, elevated sed rate.  After referral to rheumatologist 9/2007 several weeks later(during this time I quit my job and flare was over) and additional labs everything declared normal.  We all blamed it on my physical job.  I am back to a non-physical job since 9/2007, but had no insurance until 1/2009.  Have had the same joint problems this whole time and been self medicating with OTC NSAIDS.  Goes through periods or cycles where it will seem better and then worse again.  January my insurance kicked in and family doctor tried Relafen, then raised the dosage (1500mg daily)- still not effective.  Doctor says just osteoartritis.  I then asked for a referral to rheumatologist again and after visit w/ rheumo today am very depressed as rheumo basically said it is OA and there is nothing to be done for me and said I did not need any further labs.  After prompting from me several times she finally wrote a script for a different NSAID.  I am very overweight and 42.  When the arthritis initilly began I was actually 40 lbs lighter than I am now and that is when this all started.    I know I must lose weight and get more exercise; however I am struggling right now to just deal with this pain to get through my day!  Some days it is excruciating just walking to the bathroom.  Pain is almost constant in both feet and knees and thoracic back.  Sometimes both hips and hands.  Appears to be affecting my hands more and more.  What I want to know is - is this it then??  I have to live or try to live in this pain with no other alternative??  Should I seek a second opinion or just suck it up?