This past August, I was told I had DeQuervain Syndrome in my thumb(s) and was given splints and physical therapy. Since my PsA diagnosis last week, I am now wondering if it was always arthritis since I am having the same issues again. My thumb joints (especially the left) are stiff and pop with the occassional sharp pain. At the wrist there is some swelling. Sounds like arthritis, doesn't it? As an art teacher, I am not sure how to go about resting my hands to soothe inflammation. I picked up a script for Diclofenac to take until I start Humira. Is Diclofenac worth any potential side effects?
DeQuervain Syndrome is simply synovitis in the tendon sheaths going to the thumbs. Synovitis is one of the milder symptoms of PsA. It ranges from that to severe progressive erosive arthropathy, which fortunatly only a few of us here have. Synovitis isn't always arthritis but frequently is. Diclofenac is one of the common NSAIDS.. pretty much the same risks as any. I'd prolly take an OTC acid reducer with it.
Thank you for the excellent information and advice.
I used to be really good with my hands, not so much anymore but I do still use sharp instruments on wood. Were it not for my hot parifen wax bathe, I don't think I could pick my nose.
hot paraffin wax is a great solution to ease your pain, and so are arthritis gloves. There are about a million styles and types on the market. I use these (and I like them because they trap moisture and add heat which seems for me to be the magi formula--wet heat) but some people favor these from JoAnn Fabrics. I find that the gloves really do help--especially wearing them overnight.
I use to love the first ones and wore them every night. Now I prefer IMAK gloves and wear them during the day when my hands hurt. I am not sure what changed.
Online shopping has commenced. Thank you.
If it's "just" DeQuervain syndrome, would it be worth it to do the Voltaren gel instead of oral diclofenac, if you are concerned about using an NSAID?
You're definitely doing the right treatment. My only suggestion would be to wear the splints religiously. If you start using your hands without them, to take breaks, you can easily set yourself back. I had DeQuervain early on in my diagnosis, and it lasted a good few months before it finally cleared. But the stiffness, that's not DeQuervain's, is it?
I developed similar pain about a year and a half or two years ago, but it wasn't DeQuervain's that time. It was joint laxity that was causing all of the pain, and I wound up getting it repaired.
You do understand Pigeonfury, that around here terms like "just" and "simply" are code for "holy chit" right?
Hi, I started DeQuervains tenosynovitis after the birth of my son 27 years ago, received various treatments and it settled down after about a year, but has re occurred countless times and I have a large lump on my right wrist which has formed over the years. Tenosynovitis can occur anywhere you have tendons ( so basically everywhere) ankles often being a target. Think its only called DeQuervains when its your wrists, but I could be wrong. I was so glad I didn’t go out to work when my kids were small cos its hard to walk when both your ankles are affected. I found the best treatment for me was NSAIDs but I started on OTC ones as advised by my doc at the time as it was much cheaper than prescription charges. I received ultrasound treatment every week for 6 weeks when my wrists were particularly bad and it had started to settle by the time the treatment was up, but the juries still out if that actually worked or if the condition was resolving on its own.
Think its personal choice if you take a drug or not, but I see NSAIDs as helping reduce the overall inflammation in my body which I think is worth it 
My first bout was when my son was three. This time, I immobilized my wrists sooner which has kept me from having the shooting pains. As you point out, Stoney, the stiffness is more pronounced this time. Louise, I have that big, wrist lump also. The Voltaren gel didn't help quite as much and the oral NSAID has. (I just started taking it two days ago because so many joints were stiff and hurting.) "Just" is becoming a very frustrating word, tntlamb. I get looks that border on eye rolls from adults. My teenage students are infinitely more compassionate. I find that a little strange.
The NSAID has helped me sleep MUCH better. Last night, I took my wrist guards off. I have no memory of doing so. I had a horrible nightmare the first night of the new med. Deep sleep is a strange, new world!
Glad you understood that.
tntlamb said:
You do understand Pigeonfury, that around here terms like "just" and "simply" are code for "holy chit" right?
Trust me Pigeonfury, I understand the frustration of "just"
DeQuervain Syndrome is why I am a "math teacher" instead of a "mechanic " Synovitis is what it is. I will give you a hint however MOST of these terms are more like adjectives than nouns. For us snd our medical providers they arr helpful, descriptive and lead to some good interventions for acute situations. When dealong with peers however, not so much. They don't prosess things well ( teens take things at face value, that and figure we are all on our last lrgs anyway) Our peers process things quickly often times. when as a few of us do and present a laundry list of disgnoses (we have a few who list every dx they have ever had even if replaced with something newer) they immediatly shift to hypochondriac "something is always wrong with susie" and they are not saying it kindly. With folks who matter and have the potential to care I simply say "I have a progressive form of inflammatory arthritis that also effects my muscles tendons and internal organs. If they are listening I might add "every day is an adventure, I never know whats going to be screwed up."
This disease for many starts in the hands and feet. I'm going to be brutally honest. When it does, it is often the spondylitis form meaning it will effect your spine and hips as well. For the best outcome, you need to start early snd aggresive with your treatment. Don't wait until its worse for the big guns. ONE friend who understsnds (you have 2000 here) is better than 10 who don't. Hang in there, you'll do great. I'm so jealous you have your art to lose your feelings in.
So glad you got more sleep last night Pigeonfury,it does make you realise just how little proper sleep you were getting when you get a half decent night
I was on Diclofenac for years. It is a good NASID. I am on Celebrex now at twice the daily dose as they believe it will be easier on my stomach in higher doses. I also take Protonix twice a day to protect my stomach. I use my hands a lot too, I was a nurse. My first symptoms were in my hands and feet starting as a child. I was not diagnosed until my 50s. While our hands and feet have a lot of symptoms pt's with PsA do not often become invalids. The good news is we will be able to do what we need to do with adaptations. This is very good news for those of us who are artistic. I love to create things with my hands but am not really very artistic though I really admire those that are. I only wear my splints when I have hard area of swelling that does not come and go. For the everyday swelling and pain I use IMAK gloves. You may also find paraffin bath on you hands helpful also. They are available at most drug stores or Wallmart.
Remember Pigenonfury you have friends here who get it. We are educating the world about auto immune inflammatory arthritis one person at a time but it is taking forever!
I definitely have to get some IMAK gloves. Happily, I start Humira on Tuesday. Thursdays are always difficult. I teach in four classrooms that are spread out across campus. There are no planning periods due to block scheduling that day. This means constant motion, no bathroom breaks, and portable snacks for lunch. By day’s end, I am exhausted, and numerous joints hurt. I wear orthotics in fancy support shoes, but I still end up with a swollen & stiff knee or ankle. I emailed my administrator and department head about needing to discuss reducing my movement on campus next year due to a progressive, inflammatory arthritis diagnosis. I suspect I will have to give up teaching ceramics. Wheel throwing and kiln load are not very joint friendly. It will be interesting to see some imaging. I know I have some degree of inflammation in my back.
Add me to the DeQuervain's list.... big lump over the left wrist.... some days I can't use my left hand at all.
I took a 3 week trial of Duexis, it is Ibuprofen and Pepcid mixed together... just filled a 90 day Rx for it and without insurance it would have been $2,016.... when I saw that I said nevermind, I will just buy a bottle of each and mix it myself.... however, with insurance it was only $60.
I used Diclofenac for about three months and started to lose my hair. It is a possible side effect but not the usual one. My ego couldn't take hair loss so I just switched to Ibuprofen. When I went off the Diclofenac, the hair stopped falling out.
I thought I was healed enough to take off the wrist guards that reminded me not to over do it. Now, post work day, my thumbs are miserable. Why couldn't the inflammation attack my pinky fingers? They are far less essential than my thumbs. I am waiting for the arthritis gloves to arrive through Amazon. Spring break is next week (teacher). I just have to keep it together until Friday. Can I apply the Voltaren cream in addition to the oral Diclofenac??
I don't know the answer to that one. I hope someone comes along who knows more about it than I do. I use Salonpas on tendonitis and bursitis. It has a small amount of anti inflammatory in it but my Rheumy says not enough would be absorbed through the skin to bother my oral NASID. My Rheumy refuses to prescribe Diclofenac or Voltaren cream for me as she says I will try to bathe in it. She is a cheeky one! I have papered my body with Salonpas patches.....
If no one here can answer it you might call your Rheumy's office. One of the nurses there might know without having to bother the Docs.