Susan - could it be arthritis in the basal joint of the thumb? Perhaps picking up the firewood has inflamed the joint.

Too much computer/I pad? That's my problem, big time!
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Could you have sprained it? or twisted? at least get it X Rated to double check it. Or did you get a splinter in where you could not see it. I cannot take any ibuprofen at all, so I use Tylenol for Arthritis. Pharmacy told me that is just Tylenol with extra strength--nothing else. Hope you feel better.

The worst of the pain is down almost to my wrist. my whole hand is affected.

Nope, not computer. I use my left hand for the mouse, and spent most of the day moving firewood.

Hmm.....an X-rated hand, Marie? LOL

My cousin (an ER nurse) just told me to ice it. I started, but the cold really hurts it, like a sensitive tooth. I jtry some more.

Could it be Trigger Thumb? That starts with pain at the base.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trigger Finger and DeQuervains Disease

Maybe you should try ice, then heat, then ice.....alternating. Do you have any kind of topical rub such as Mineral Ice, Ben Gay, Myoflex, etc.? I sure hope the pain goes away soon for you. It sounds like you have strained/sprained it.

I rubbed Topricin on it; that's all I have.

Not Trigger thumb, Lydia, thank heavens. I really hope this is temporary. I already have limited use of my right arm because of a tendon/shoulder issue.

I'm trying the alternating idea, thanks.

That ice will be hell on your Reynauds.

Since you're limited with what you have, try soaking your hand and wrist in salty warm water. Best to use Epson salt if you have it but if you don't any salt that you have is good. Mix the water salty and soak for at least 20 minutes, the longer, the better. Do this several times a day.

Something that Robert and I have discovered to be a help for such aches and pains is Activon. I use it whenever I have something that is acting up....muscle, joint, etc., and it more often than not helps a great deal.

I can't take oral pain relievers, either. They make my heart jump out of my chest for hours. Aspirin is OK.

I would check with your doctor. Sounds like what you really need is an NSAID to relieve the swelling. Perhaps there is something your doctor could suggest. I'm not sure of your chest pain reaction--if it is seriously chest pain or manifesting from reflux which can mask as chest pain. If the latter is the case perhaps you could buffer your stomach when you take the NSAID? But as I said, check with your doctor.

I have the same problem but not with just the base of my thumb but the whole hand. The other hand is somewhat affected, too, and also my feet. My problem is osteoarthritis.
I use Celebrex, 7 mg of prednisone, and Tylenol. The RA is in remission but all I can do for the Osteo is try to manage the pain. I massage the joints and stretch them, use warm water mostly.

Thank you for all the advice. My hand is better this a.m. for not being used all night. Still not good, but headed in the right direction. So I'm trying not to use it as much as possible today and hope improvement continues.

I do have epsom salts. Almost threw out the container the other day. See? This is why I hate to throw out things. :-)

Rhizo, the reaction you describe sounds like the tachycardia I get from naproxyn (Aleve). I won't go near it.

The last time I took ibuprofen I had a scary pain that shot from the left side of my neck down to the center of my chest. Just one pain, but it made an impression on me! When I'd taken it before I noticed some twinges in my chest, but nothing like that.

I have the same thing and it's arthritis. I have an rx for enteric coated Naproxin which does the trick and, because it's coated, it doesn't bother my stomach. Do you text message as many will have pain from excessive use of the thumbs.

Naproxen (Aleve) gives me tachycardia, so that's out. I used ice briefly and Topricin twice, but I suspect time was the best healer. I favored my hand all day and it's much better. I'm hoping it'll be 100% by tomorrow.

The ice didn't bother my Raynaud's, BTW, because the site of the pain was in the vicinity of my wrist. On my hands, only the fingers are affected by Raynaud's.

I hardly ever text--thank goodness. :-)

I had something similar but it also effected a couple of my fingers. The Dr. said it was Carpal tunnel. I surely was limited in what I could do, especially my knitting and crocheting, and then read about the Carpal Tunnel Institute and sent for their disc of exercises. I can't believe how it helped. When the pain came back a little bit ,I did part of the exercises again - just the thumb and finger ones and have had almost instant relief. I hope you soon feel better. It isn't funny.