SJ, I have heberdon nodules on six fingers.  They get very sore when they
are forming but as they grow and get bigger so they disfigure my fingers,
they mostly stop hurting.  And mine is definitely OA.
Gwen

To a certain extent Jo that still wouldn't fix it.  Damage done is damage
done.  It probably wouldn't even get you a diagnosis unless the change could
be seen on xrays.  If it is inflammatory OA and inflammatory changes were
seen they could treat it with DMARDS such as mtx or such and yes OA can
start young we think. What kind of changes did your hands have at 8 or 9???
If you have had RA from 8 or 9 then considerable permanent damage would
probably have occured by now since it would have been untreated.

I wish I could help you find permanent medical help but that isn't going to
happen from here.  In the meantime you can do all you can to help keep
healthy.  Icing, heat, movement - range of motion, light walking (start out
walking around your chair if that is all you can do several times a day and
work up to walking a block.), eating lots of fruit and vegetables (doesn't
have to be the expensive ones - carrots, cabbage, etc counts), cutting down
on sugars, the "s" word which I know you aren't in a position to do now but
cutting back might work.  Take one goal at a time and try.  Then when you
next see your doctor he can see you are working at it and can take again one
symptom at a time.  If it is OA they can do things about it but most are the
things above.  If it is RA you need to be prepared that you still need to do
the above especially with the smoking to prepare for the meds.  They are
invasive but they do help.  Getting blood pressure down by doing some of the
above will help if you need these meds.

I wish I could tell you the diagnosis and treatment of RA or OA or fibro was
easy.  It isn't and I share your frustration.  Unfortunately it is a job and
all the meds in the world do not do the whole job.  This is a journey that
requires more than just a passport unfortunately. Some of that journey you
can start on your own without medical help - just take really really small
steps.  Remember Carole and all her changes this year - none of it was easy
but the changes in her body from those steps are huge.

this sounds preachy but I am frustrated that your situation makes it hard to
be helped.  You need a steady doctor which I know is hard with the financial
situation etc.  You also need a stable life which is hard right now.  You
are in a wheel of pain and I can empathize with it.  Been there and still go
through that sometimes.  Sometimes it is easier though to concentrate on
something you can do ie: start up some gentle gentle exercise and nutrition
program not what you can't get others to do - ie:  a diagnosis. Sounds easy
but it is not however I feel you are strong enough to do it.  You manage the
birthday list etc so well that you are ready for the next step - something
for you not just for everyone else.

Kelly in BC