Carpal tunnel
Posted , 16 users are following.
Perhaps one day researchers into PMR (is anyone out there interested in our condition other than those in its grip - and they would be too fatigued to do any research?) will find PMR pain attracts more pain. I can't believe that I have a new pain to add to my neck and my arm and my back.
The pain in my left hand started slowly yesterday and I thought: winter is on its way; this must be what arthritis is like. But by last night I was in agony and couldn't move my hand. So consulted Dr Google and together we diagnosed Carpal Tunnel (which I had had operated on my right hand several pre-PMR years ago).
Have any PMR sufferers found a link between that syndrome and ours? And would increasing my Prednisolone help? I have been struggling since June to reduce from 15mgs (I had gone all the way down to 6mgs - my personal best in five years - before being Flared Out) and can't get below 10+lingering pain.
When it is such a battle to reduce the Pred, I am reluctant to up it for the suspected Carpal Tunnel without your advice on whether it may help. You are all I can turn to. I have a horror of being labelled a hypochondriac by that lucky non-PMR world.
0 likes, 21 replies
bob03667 heather39822
Posted
How much and what kind of exercises are you doing?
I've found that the best and only way to start the day is with a series of exercises, often working through stiffness and a little arm and shoulder pain. These take about half an hour and we're lucky in that most them I do in our hot tub. Then I use TENS for about 20 minutes on the shoulders. Then I go take our dogs for a walk.
priscilla23271 heather39822
Posted
Yes, I developed severe Carpal tunnel in both hands, but I put it down to blood pressure medication which the doctor warned me would make my wrists and ankles swell up. I stopped taking it and put my pred dose up from ...I think it was at 10, ..to 15 on the advice of my doctor, and the symptoms completely disappeared but it took 6 months to do do. Needless to say ~I did not have them operated on.
Harrie4 heather39822
Posted
Just my two cents: I've had successful carpal release surgery on both wrists in the past year. One way of self-diagnosing CTS is to note whether or not your baby fingers are impacted by lack of ennervation. If all your fingers have lost sensation and/or have that pins & needles tingling, then its likely not carpal tunnel. I seem to recall that approx 15% of PMR sufferers will develop CTS. Its not repetitive stress for us; its that the inflammation that marks PMR crowds the carpal tunnel which carries the medial nerve from the neck down the arm and to your fingers -- except your baby fingers. Its a mechanical problem and usually requires a mechanical solution. Theres a nerve conduction test that will confirm the dx. It really is not something to be too worried about. Take good care, folks!
ptolemy Harrie4
Posted
I had pain and tingling in my thumb and adjoining fingers. I did not have problems with my baby finger.
EileenH Harrie4
Posted
Carpal tunnel involves thumb to middle finger - if the rung and little finger are affected it is ulnar nerve - and pinched somewhere else.
heather39822
Posted
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. It is very comforting to be among fellow travellers on this long and arduous journey. I've upped my Pred to 15mgs and today has been easier than yesterday. As for tomorrow...hopefully I'll be able to cross fingers!