Rheumatoid arthritis (I think ...)

[araminta]

Have just had several horrible days with very swollen right hand, and pains all over the place which often woke me at night.   Have not had this before, though a couple of years ago I had a swollen wrist which I easily treated with ice.   Wondering if this is something to do with Sjogrens, or else RA?   Of course I will make a doctor's appointment after this long bank holiday weekend.

Am looking at things that might help RA (which I strongly suspect this is), and see curcumin mentioned quite often.   Has anyone here tried that?   Did it help?

[eye2dry]

OTC that help right away are Voltaren gel and Icy-Hot to help you until you can get in to your doctor.

[Linda196]

I tried turmeric with some relief for a few years, but I eventually developed the same side effects I have to NSAIDS, bruising and prolonged bleeding. This is apparently a common development, and especially if you've had trouble with NSAIDS.
For the same reason I don't use topicals which contain salicylates, like Voltaren gel and Icy-hot extra strength, but plain Icy-hot, with only menthol, can offer some relief.

[araminta]

Thank you both for your very helpful comments.

I'm sorry to hear turmeric can be problematic, I liked the idea of taking some alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.

I think stress and very wet weather probably sparked this off.   But you can't avoid those alas, at least not in the UK.

[Linda196]

One thing I always stress, is that if any substance can alter the body function, metabolism or chemistry in a good way, it has the potential to alter it in a negative way. Pharmaceuticals, natural elements or compounds, naturally occurring substances in the body like minerals, enzymes and hormones can all have positive or adverse effects.