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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest A Medication For Pain And Stiffness In The Joints

62yr.old female....have pain in my joints,mainly hands. They are stiff, sore and swollen. I try to keep them stretched out but they go right back to the stiffness and pain overnight. When I soak or run hot water over them they feel nearly normal. Wondering if I might have RA. I m not one to take many drugs but I was wondering if there was a low dose medicine I could take to help control the pain and stiffness. I have low thyroid, take Synthroid. Have type 2 diabetes, take metformin, keep A1c under 7 and I use Prevecid for gerd.
posted on Wed, 13 Sep 2017
Twitter Wed, 27 Dec 2017 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 29 Dec 2017 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hi mam. Thanks for the query.
As by your symptoms. RA must be ruled out.
Early morning stiffness of joints is one of the important symptom of RA.

You need get a panel of tests done before you diagnose RA. Those are
Complete blood counts
RA factor
ANA indirect immunoflorescence to rule out other connective tissue related joint problems.

Once these tests are done you can get a diagnosis. Based on these treatment will be started.

For treatment of RA, medications help 50% and physiotherapy helps 50%.

Both medications and physiotherapy must go hand in hand to relieve your problems. Till you consult doctor, you need to do you simple exercises like walking and others.

Thank u
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Suggest A Medication For Pain And Stiffness In The Joints

Hi mam. Thanks for the query. As by your symptoms. RA must be ruled out. Early morning stiffness of joints is one of the important symptom of RA. You need get a panel of tests done before you diagnose RA. Those are Complete blood counts RA factor ANA indirect immunoflorescence to rule out other connective tissue related joint problems. Once these tests are done you can get a diagnosis. Based on these treatment will be started. For treatment of RA, medications help 50% and physiotherapy helps 50%. Both medications and physiotherapy must go hand in hand to relieve your problems. Till you consult doctor, you need to do you simple exercises like walking and others. Thank u