Quote Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl View Post
Get your brakes fixed- it's dangerous to ride like that on such worn brake pads.
They are fixed! I am happy to report that! Also installed new brake housing and cables!

Quote Originally Posted by lo123 View Post
Inflammtory (autoimmune) arthritis can strike at any age. Women are more likely to develop it than men. Many women are diagnosed in their child bearing years. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis when I was 16. 11 years later...

While there is believed to be a genetic component to some types of inflammatory arthritis (psoriatic, ankylosing spondylitis), you can have it without a family history of the disease.

If you can't tolerate aspirin, try Aleve. It's an NSAID (non steroidal antiinflammatory drug)

Symptoms of inflammatory arthritis:
1. Swelling in the joints
2. Pain
3. Fatigue
4. Stiffness, particularly in the morning, lasting 30 minutes or longer.


If it is inflammatory arthritis, the treatments now are FAR better than they were 11 years ago. So, it's not the horrible diagnosis it used to be. Still sucks, but it's manageable, especially with early diagnosis and treatment.
That is all really good information. Thank you for that. I will have to pay attention to morning stiffness. The pain isn't there in the morning...since my hands aren't in use overnight...but...I will pay attention to this.

Thanks for the tip on Aleve and symptom list.

Quote Originally Posted by lunacycles View Post
I developed arthritis in my hands about 5 years ago, from 20+ years of bike wrenching and then framebuilding. Ouch! I wore a brace on my hand to support my thumb for a while, then took some time off, which helped a lot. If it is arthritis, consider taking some Glucosamine sulfate with chondroitin. I started taking this daily when the pain became obvious and, now, 5 years later, I would say the pain has improved about 70 percent. No brace, I work a lot, and I rest my hands as much as I can.
Good to know. Thank you for this feedback! Sounds painful what you have I am glad to hear the pain has improved!

Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
Myofascial release in the hands and forearms should help too, although obviously less so if it's inflammatory arthritis (hoping it's not). When the muscles are full of trigger points, the tendons pull the joints out of alignment and cause all kinds of problems. BTDT. Good luck.
Thank you for this feedback. I am seeing a physical therapist for my knee in a few days. Maybe she can help me out with this as well (She does myofascial work). Good idea!