What could cause sudden joint pain and swelling in the hands and feet?

What could cause sudden joint pain and swelling in the hands and feet?Last week my friend said she thought she was getting arthritis because her knees were aching. I think she is around 41 and she is very active (meaning she is always moving, walking, hiking, etc.) Now the pain is in her feet, knees, and elbows. Her hands and feet are so swollen they are itching and she can't even make a fist. She thinks it's gout (I'm not sure how to spell that).
She doesn't want to take anything for the pain because she is afraid it will mask the symptoms and she won't be able to describe her pain accurately to a doctor. I told her to take arnica for the swelling.

She is drinking tons of water and not drinking soda.
i don't even know if this is correct, but I told her to elevate both her legs and arms with pillows.

Have you or anyone you know experienced something like this? Did it go away?

hí í'm k♥rчllє (cαrσl)
I can relate to her experience of legs swelling and feeling MISERABLE!I After ruling out that I did not have DVT (blood clots) , t was thought to be that I had Lymphedema. And it is painful, itchy- just like you are describing.
The treatment is Physical therapy and massage and compression.. thru a lymphadema clinic
I could never get there so I tried some things on my own.


I kept track of Intake and output for my Dr. (i do have a bladder problem (neurogenic) and I also have a Interstim implant - the first thing I think of is the darn thing isnt working.

I cut out salt and chips and drink lots more water and juices.

I get some TED hose ( this hurts) and / or ace bandages to help apply compression. and because of the pain, the Dr gives me some lidocaine creme and lidocaine patches. Really helps. I would also massage my legs and feet...

and I would drink lots of water, and keep my feet elevated as well as cut out anyting that had salt in it. (i love salt- but now I do not use it)

So this may be what she is developing and a possible treatment.

The questions that may need to be answered are;
Any surgeries, or injuries? Mine occurred after surgery and so they thought infection, so I was on some antibiotics.
She may have a kidney problem .or underlying bladder infection.
It may be from hormones or birthcontrol or a possible allergy to something she has eaten or had to drink.

At anyrate, Swelling tells you that something is inflammed and she is retaining water. She may be better off going to the Dr and getting a Waterpill (diuretic- but they can give her some potassium tables (horsepills-lol) to take with it. I dont recommend anything over the counter!
Diurex is horrible and can be harmful!

At this point in time I think a visit to the Dr is necessary.

Barb M
could be:
1) Lymphedema.
2) Rheumatoid arthritis.
3) Virus
4). Lupus

catech24
This just started happening all of a sudden huh? Def tell her not to take NSAID's. I did that and it gave me leaky gut. Not fun and im still dealing with it. Did this occur after some more then normal activity?

Hopefully its just from over work and not some long term situation. Check out my source for some great info on joint pain.

Good luck!

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments! Gout - information, symptoms and treatments. Googout.info health information factsheet - advice on gout and its symptoms, causes and treatment, plus prevention through diet.

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