My GP asked me where I wanted to go, to a specialist in rheumatoid arthritis, but, he didn't thing anything would come out, because of lack of swollen joints, redness or clear inflammation, or, to see a hand ergo therapist. I chose the latter. She gave me lots of exercises to relax my hands.
When I went to see her, things were that painful that I could not even write my own name, without dropping the pen. After a few weeks I could write without a problem.
Whenever my hands get painful again, I do some of her exercises. And, that does help.
First exercises were to learn to relax the wrist, and to keep the hand relaxed.
I have never heard of an ergo therapist, sounds similar to what an occupational therapist is, though I could be wrong on this. My fingers are most painful and stiff in the morning when I wake up. Clenching them hurts so I don't do it heh.
Binty, I don't keep contact with any of my high school friends except one and with her I am just one amongst the 1600+ friends on her Facebook page. High school wasn't a good time in my life so I have not gone to any reunions or anything like that.