Does anyone have a sure-fire remedy for arthritis in their hands and fingers?  I use Naproxen for arthritis in my lower back and it has helped.  But the pain in my hands and fingers persists.  I "grin and bear it" when I ride but I'm afraid that if I don't do something constructive my days of riding are numbered.  I even had a Radiologist tell me, after looking at films of my hands, that I'd better ride as much as I can because I'd going to lose the ability to grip in my hands.  Thanks so much!!  Everyone has always said that I can tolerate a lot of pain.  The thought of not being able to ride is unacceptable to me.  I don't ride hard or long but pleasure trail ride.  I'm 61 and have been retired for 6 months so have been enjoying all my extra time to ride.  I don't want to think that my riding days may be over in the next few years.

 Any remedy would really be appreciated. 

I take Celebrex - one 200mg capsule daily - It is the only medication that really helps with my arthritis pain - I have used Naproxen, but it did not do as well as the Celebrex.  I know what you mean about riding - it's my passion, too!  Maybe you could talk to your doctor about Celebrex and see if it's something you might want to try.  Hope you find something that will keep you comfortable. 

i totally understand where you're coming from.  i suffered from arthritic hands for years and also took naproxen and other NSAIDs.  it worked for a bit but nothing really cured me and it started to irritate my stomach so had to get off of it.  i was doing some research online and found this woman's story about how she cured her arthritic hands 

http://www.my-hand-pain.com/

she uses this product that has cm8 in it - it's this new ingredient that's supposedly proven to heal and provide long-last results.  i've been using it for a few months now and have seen marked improvement in mobility and a lot less pain.

 hope this helps and good luck!!

Using good riding gloves helps me a lot.  I like two different ones.  One is a leather glove with inserts that helps me bend my fingers.  The others are the SSG riding gloves.  Pricey but veryworth while.

Thanks KathyJohn2.  I ordered some right away and have started taking it already.  I know it takes time to work but after reading the testimonials, I'm convinced.  Thanks for the referral.

Thanks Rush 60.  I was contemplating gloves.  I'm glad to hear that they do help.  I'm not much of a "glove" person but if it helps the pain, I'm willing to try.

One word for you - Penetran. It is hands-down the best stuff out there. You can get it from the pharmacy, but you have to ask the pharmacist to order it (it isn't a prescription, though). You might also be able to get it online. Both my father and grandmother (who have arthritis) swear by this stuff. It also works great for all kinds of aches and pains. I highly recommend it!

Thanks.  I have seen ads on RFD for similar products for dogs.  I'm ordering it today.  I've tried lots of pain remedies, but nothing really helps consistantly.  I've always worn gloves in cold weather, which does seem to help. I have been using a glucosomine/condriatin supplement for some time and believe it has helped. At least the arthritis doesn't seem to have gotten worse this past year.  Retwalla

I'm another SSG glove fan.   Neoprene gloves - or any that can increase the warmth and support yur hands... sort of the same reason we use splint boots on a horse, support, prevent bumps and keep the supporting tissues warm, so they stay supple.  I especially like the real wide wristbands that also support the forearm.   The wider the support, the better. 

 I find that flexing exercises help a great deal.   I went to Physical therapy after surgery on my right hand to remove bones.   I use the silly putty stuff twice a day for 15 - 20 minutes without fail...  and when we're off chasing cows, I drag it along in a pocket in a baggie, and pull it out once in a while and use it to keep my hands limber. (I trade it in frequently at my therapist, and they sure do wonder how that stuff goes from gumby bluish gereen to almost black with notable lumps of FURin a couple of weeks - it's not pretty, but it WORKS!) 

 NOT using your hands or keeping them moving is worse than the excercises by far.  

So, bake bread - that warm dough being worked is a wonderful way to work your hands.   Work in warm water - wash animals in warm water or just fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and exercise in it - rolling balls or other items in bottom of bucket. 

Be creative, but be consistent.   Also, I think fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin are a great aid.   I have to avoid the shellfish, but my husband says it sure helps his hips and knees arthritis.

 I was on a trail ride last year and talked to a woman who had arthritis in her hands.  She said it was getting real difficult for her to hold onto the reins.  Her husband made her a pair of reins out of some type of large, round, soft yet solid material (about the diameter of a garden hose) and she said it was wonderful.  She could actually enclose the reins in her hands a lot easier.

I sure wish I had paid attention to how they were made.   It reminded me of kitchen utensils made for people with arthritis like can openers and potato peelers with large, ergomatic handles.

I would also think that you could just buy large diameter soft cotton rope and make a pair of reins to use.  This along with the gloves should work for a while.

MrsMcClain

I have nothing surefire but I find that rubbing msn cooling gel into my hands helps me. It says 'good for all classes of horses and ponies' on the bottle so I figured at this point in life it counts. I just have one bad hand that was crushed when I fell and a horse stood on it. I use a good supportive glove in the winter and make sure it does not get cold. My doctor gives me a prescription for a drug called Ultram which is mild but seems to help quite a bit. I have used naproxen as well but it sometimes upsets my stomach. Prescription Voltaren gel helps sometimes too but is a nuisance to apply.

I hope you contine to ride for decades and prove that radiologist wrong!

Thanks.  I have gotten so many suggestions.  I appreciate them all and have initiated a few of them.  My doctor wants me to see a rheumatologist now because he thinks it's more than osteoarthritis.  Great!!  Just what I wanted to hear.

I'm not going to let it stop my riding though, even if I have to carry the reins in my teeth. LOL.  Just kidding!

mystery's mom:

Does anyone have a sure-fire remedy for arthritis in their hands and fingers?  I use Naproxen for arthritis in my lower back and it has helped.  But the pain in my hands and fingers persists.  I "grin and bear it" when I ride but I'm afraid that if I don't do something constructive my days of riding are numbered.  I even had a Radiologist tell me, after looking at films of my hands, that I'd better ride as much as I can because I'd going to lose the ability to grip in my hands.  Thanks so much!!  Everyone has always said that I can tolerate a lot of pain.  The thought of not being able to ride is unacceptable to me.  I don't ride hard or long but pleasure trail ride.  I'm 61 and have been retired for 6 months so have been enjoying all my extra time to ride.  I don't want to think that my riding days may be over in the next few years.

 Any remedy would really be appreciated. 

Choosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomized, double-blind study – Source: Rheumatology International, Apr 2007by Reto Widrig, Jorg Melzer, et al.
September 18, 2009

The use of topical preparations for symptom relief is common in osteoarthritis.

The effects of ibuprofen (5%) and arnica (50 g tincture/100 g, DER 1:20), as gel preparations in patients with radiologically confirmed and symptomatically active osteoarthritis of interphalangeal joints of hands, were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study in 204 patients, to ascertain differences in pain relief and hand function after 21 days' treatment.

Diagnosis was according to established criteria; primary endpoints were pain intensity and hand function; statistical design was as per current regulatory guidelines for testing topical preparations.

There were no differences between the two groups in pain and hand function improvements, or in any secondary end points evaluated. [Specifically, "Pain intensity and hand function improved in both treatment groups. The ibuprofen group had a 23.9% reduction in pain; the arnica group had a 26.6% reduction. Overall hand function (such as grip strength, ability to use tools, and tie a knot) improved similarly in the two groups."]

Adverse events were reported by six patients (6.1%) on ibuprofen and by five patients (4.8%) on arnica.

Our results confirm that this preparation of arnica is not inferior to ibuprofen when treating osteoarthritis of hands.

[Note: For more details of this trial and its findings, noting the results of other trials involving osteoarthritis of the knee and recovery from hand surgery, see this write-up at the Bastyr University website.]

Source: Rheumatology International, Apr 2007 ;27(6):585-91. PMID: 17318618, by Widrig R, Suter A, Saller R, Melzer J. Rheumatology Clinic, St Gallen; Bioforce AG, Roggwil; Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Complementary Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. 

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=14867&B1=EG092309B

Percheronrider:  Thanks for the article.  It sounds very interesting and something I should try.  Actually, my hands are screaming out in pain today.  This is probably from the fact that I rode for over an hour yesterday and didn't wear my gloves!!  I just can't get into the habit. 

 I've received a lot of good advice from the Equisearch forum.  Most of the hints I have incorporated into my daily life.

I'm going to break down and get an appointment with a rheumatologist tomorrow.  My family doctor thinks it's more than plain osteoarthritis.  I can manage the pain at home but when I have trouble knotting the girth on my western saddle, then I do need professional HELP.

 Thanks everyone.

I don't have arthritis in my hands but do like using larger-than-normal reins.  They're really easy to make.  Just find some line at a marine supply store (or order on line if you're landlocked), buy clips and the clamps that bind the line together, and voila, you've got thick-as-you-want reins.  For a while I was coordinating mine to the color of my saddle pads, which amused me no end 'til I realized how much money I was spending just for a laugh.