Sorry to hear you are having problems finding relief. 

Alternate hot and cold packs.  An Ice bath. Perhaps a wrist splint will help.  They help for some but not for me as they usually hurt more.  Try a sports wrap (ace bandage) and elevation.  Just about anything you would do for a sprained ankle and whatnot can be used for the wrist. 

For me, I sometimes have to resort to immobilizing my entire arm in order to to use the hand and allow it to rest and heal for a while.  I have one of those waist braces that your arm fits to (something they give people with dislocated shoulders)

It is hard not to use your hands so controlling wrist pain is very difficult.  But most of it is caused by swelling.  Control the swelling and you will control the pain. 

Good luck,

Ronie

blossom64

6/23/10 11:10pm

thank you for the info. do you find any over the counter meds that work. I read about turmeric (spice) that works for swelling have you heard about that?                     thanks again, blossom

I agree with Ronie's post and have found splints and hot/cold treatments beneficial. 

It may also be worth getting a referral to a hand therapist for specific advice and support for managing your wrists and hands.  I was referred nearly a year ago, and I find that the exercises and help with managing pain & movement has made a difference to coping during a flare, and also the period of getting back to "normal" after a flare is faster than it was a year ago. 

In the UK hand therapists are occupational therapists with special training who work with physio teams (don't know how this works in the USA). Their attitude is to maintain the level of grip, flexibility and movement as best as possible for RA patients, and although I get some odd looks when doing my exercises in boring work meetings, it really has made a difference!

blossom64

6/23/10 10:50pm

Where can I get a list of hand excerises that you use? And do you use them during flare-ups?

Sal B

6/24/10 10:28am

Personally, I'd try and see a therapist to get the exact right exercises for you. it's important, because they can judge exactly which joints have been damaged, and where you need to work. It's worth it-although you may not be able to get back lost flexibility, there's a chance you can maintain your current level of flexibility with the exercises. I know I'll be doing them for life

 

Here are some that are listed on the web, but they don't include some of the ones I've got:

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/hand-exercises-rheumatoid-arthritis

 

During flare ups I do what I can, if I can, but the advice is not to do things that make the pain worse.  It's important to start to do them again as the flare up subsides, but you are the best person to know the speed and intensity.

 

Good luck!

 

 

DebbieM123

6/25/10 10:38am

My P/T does many of those exercises with me. Awesome that you shared that with everyone Sal!