Assume you have arthritis and go from there. Take an Aleve or other pain reliever that the doctor suggests. I take an Aleve at night and very often it alleviates most of the pain in my hands. You Doctor most likely will not put you on anything stronger than an anti inflammatory drug so go with that for a while. A friends arthritis went away with that treatment alone. He won't give you stronger drugs because it is "only" in your hands and the test is not showing Autoimmune. Make sure you are tested for Lymme Disease.

Look at foods that might be causing pain and inflammation. Milk is very often but not always a problem. Potatoes cause my hands to hurt and swell, rice affects my ankles and feet. There is no logic. Just go with what presents itself. Pistachio nuts cause me swelling and pain. Soy is also a problem for me. I thought chocolate was fine until I eliminated other foods and then discovered it causes all my joints to swell. I cannot take a multi vitamin because of the soy, rice or wheat in them.

Take down your stress level if you can.

Talk to people who know about nutrition and supplements and see if you want to try some of the natural anti inflammatory supplements.

My experience was that they did not work consistently and what is working really well is to eat a healthy diet of cooked and raw foods and fish and occasional chicken and meat. You may find that red meat or chicken presents a problem. You may find organic works best in all food or just some foods.

I believe after having Rheumatoid Arthritis for three years and now feeling at my best with minimal pain and swelling, that the time is better spent investigating how to eat healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle.I could write pages about all the supplement and treatments available for Arthritis, but I found it can be cured and the the way is through making the body so strong and healthy that it can heal. At that point you will know what supplements will speed the healing. 

I have not fasted, but if it is appealing to you then do a fast which is not too taxing to your body. I do not believe in Cleanses until the body is strong and healthy to withstand the cleanse. But that is me.

I do believe that herbs that kill yeast and bacteria and viruses are valuable. They are 

Garlic or Kayolic Garlic, Olive leaf extract and GSE grapefruit seed extract. These herbs strengthen and prevent damage to the intestines from yeast. Look up Leaky Gut Syndrome and it may help tie together the connection of foods to pain in the joints. There can be a connection between joint pain and parasites, these herbs can help with that also. There can be a connection also between Thyroid and joint pain. Get your thyroid checked and if normal take some kelp tablets (Solgar Brand) .225 iodine when you feel pain. I take about 6-12 tablets when the pain is persisting and it helps.

Sharon