What do you do when your knuckles just ACHE?

My knees have never really given me trouble but the last several years my hips would ache somewhat all year round and when it was cold and especially damp it would be horrid. I would have to take motrin quite often just to sleep. For me stretching and hot bath helped. But what has really helped was giving up my Diet Coke. I'd heard the aspartame could cause inflammation. That wasn't specifically why I gave it up, more just because I knew overall it wasn't good for me. After the first few weeks when I wasn't so cranky I realized my hips weren't bothering me. As the weather has gotten colder and damp, I realize how much better I feel. I've had a small Diet Coke a couple of times when I had a bad headache but otherwise not having achy hips is good motivation to not go back to that habit! Many times I think, yum and then remember tossing and turning while not sleeping and waiting for the Motrin to kick in and even then not working totally. No thank you, sleep and no pain is good!

Even if you don't drink Diet Coke, there may be other foods in your diet that cause inflammation. Just something to consider.

When 1st diagnosed with RA, the doctor suggested a plunge into hot water follwed by a plunge into cold water. Do this a few times and it helps. Some days I find that soaking in cold water works the best. Another option is to something like this:

Buckwheat heat Therapy Mitts- I found them on Amazon

I rub my fingers with Voltarin or a Glucosamine rub I got at the health food store. I've had arthritis in my knuckles for ten years. It sucks. Any time my hands get cold they start aching. So, I start wearing gloves as soon as the weather temps drop. And I take a glucosamine supplement daily. It also helps. It's Natural Factors Flexable. If I forget to take it, my knuckles will remind me.

Believe it or not washing dishes. That wet heat really seems to make them feel better.  I can't stand cold.  It makes my bones ache awfully.

I fil bought a parafin bath at BB&B and it's supposed to help. You heat up the wax and dip your hands in and then put them in plastic "gloves". You may be able to look it up on their website.

I love mine. I have juvenile RA and my hands can get bad. I have had times when I cannot even type. The paraffin bath is the most relief I can get externally. The massage that accompanies a manicure is also helpful.

Mine started in my thumb joint while I was in college taking a home sewing class-there's a lot of cutting involved with doing window treatments and a queen sized comforter. 

Those squeeze shut shears are so much easier for me to use. I've bought several sizes of shears and scissors like these. The rotary cutters are also really helpful. 

I also like to rub Tiger Balm on my knuckles. When I do a lot of cutting or sewing, I wear a pair of copper gloves for arthritis The gentle pressure makes my hands feel better. I don't think the copper does anything extra, but the gloves were on sale and latex free.

The paraffin wax is WONDERFUL! I wish I had taken my mom's home wax machine when she wanted to get rid of it. She loved it at first but just got tired of it. 

The glucosamine does help, but it can thin your blood, so beware if you take it with NSAIDs or have an ulcer, take blood thinners or have bleeding issues. I can't take glucosamine myself, but we give it to our 15 year old cat. She is much more active and her joints don't seem to bother her nearly as much.

Take ginger. If you can brew a tea with fresh ginger.