u/El_Rat0ncit0 — reddlx

Hi all,

Over the past month or so, I've been waking up with very stiff fingers on my right hand only; left hand is fine (for reference; I am right-handed), and I can't immediately make a fist. Within the hour, it dissipates, and am able to make a fist just fine with no pain or major discomfort the rest of the day. There is no tingling in my fingers; just that I can't make a fist immediately after waking up, and it hurts a bit when I try to do so. Very warm water soaks (or cold packs) seem to alleviate it upon waking (alternating between both).

Not sure what to make of it, and am trying to not freak out about a potential onset of a health issue like arthritis or carpal tunnel; but over the past few months, I've been helping my partner remodel/paint/drywall mud his house considering I am currently unemployed (work mostly with computers as a designer), and am wondering if I am developing some sort of hand tendonitis or just overexerting my dominant hand; causing this condition?

And prior to being unemployed, I always made sure to use wrist rests; and take breaks to avoid any carpal tunnel; so I would be surprised if it's related to working from home/excessive computer use.

I did go visit Urgent Care last week, and the attending physician (not my Primary) told me not to worry and his best guess is that it's early onset arthritis and upon looking at my hand, noted some raised bumps on my knuckles and associated that with arthritis. I did mention to him that the bumps themselves have been there for years but never got them checked. He is sure it's arthritis, gave me some recommendations (print-out) for exercises to do upon waking, Advil intermittently, and if it doesn't get better to visit with my primary in a few months.

Lastly, in my own self-troubleshooting, I discovered that sometimes if you sleep with your hands underneath your head/pillow while side-sleeping, that it can cause this condition; and so I've been sleeping with my arms straight at my sides to see if it alleviates it. TBD if it does (only been a week since I adjusted my sleep positioning).

Any insight here would be welcome, and thank you in advance!!!

https://preview.redd.it/puca6xb7kbzg1.jpg?width=3035&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2899305e2ab01eed3e25f40342ec0c4786db949

Hi all,

Over the past month or so, I've been waking up with very stiff fingers on my right hand only; left hand is fine (for reference; I am right-handed), and I can't immediately make a fist. Within the hour, it dissipates, and am able to make a fist just fine with no pain or discomfort the rest of the day. There is no tingling in my fingers; just that I can't make a fist immediately after waking up, and it hurts a bit when I try to do so. Very warm water soaks seem to alleviate it upon waking, and cold compresses/packs (alternating between both).

Not sure what to make of it, and have been trying to troubleshoot any type of activity I may be engaging in that is contributing to it and the only thing I can think of is over the past few months, I've been doing a lot of drywalling/painting, and possibly not using the most ergonomic hand postures while working.

It's not my profession (I am in between corporate jobs) and helping my partner paint/decorate/remodel some spaces within our home. I am normally not used to working with my hands this intensely and I started assisting him a few months ago. Not sure if there is a correlation (tendonitis of some sort?), and it's catching up with me but at home/office, I usually use good ergonomic positioning when working at the computer (mouse/wrist pads) and I would be surprised if I am developing carpal tunnel.

Lastly, in my troubleshooting, I discovered that sometimes if you sleep with your hands underneath your head/pillow while side-sleeping, that it can cause this condition; and so I've been sleeping with my arms straight at my sides to see if it alleviates it. TBD if it does (only been a week since I adjusted my sleep positioning). Any insight here would be welcome, and thank you in advance!!!

Edited to add: please disregard my fingers/cuticles/skin around nails: I am a Dermatophagia/skin-biter (have been for decades); and though it's gotten better, I still get the temptation now and then to bite.