Is there a reason you can't take an anti-inflammatory medication? It will help with the stiffness. I had the same problem. I was diagnosed with RA and given Plaquenil, which helped a lot, but I still had some minor pain and significant stiffness in the hands. I added Relafen and it made a huge difference for me.

[QUOTE=creinha;2994107]Is there a reason you can't take an anti-inflammatory medication? It will help with the stiffness. I had the same problem. I was diagnosed with RA and given Plaquenil, which helped a lot, but I still had some minor pain and significant stiffness in the hands. I added Relafen and it made a huge difference for me.
Yes, there is a reason. I have borderline high blood pressure and seem to be unusually sensitive to anti-inflammatory medication in the sense that my blood pressure shoots up when I take them.

The pain is not always as bad, but when it's bad it's very bad. It's usually worst at night, although it can be bad at any time during the day.