Hand pain and weakness, unable to grip
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all,
I've been having pain in my hands on and off for about 4 years now, and it's worsened over the last year. The pain is significantly bad in the base of my thumbs (the fleshy bit) in both my hands, and my fingers in both hands ache as well. Gripping or carrying heavy things hurt, so much so that now I can't hold my coffee cup through the handle, or grip a mop without having 1-2 days of pain following it.
I've tested for rheumatoid arthritis (RA and Anti-CCP negative) and have tested for various nutritional deficiencies. All my reports keep coming back completely normal and my rheumatologist says he's not entirely sure it's RA. The base of my thumbs don't swell much but they are often warm.
Another doc now suggests I might have a radial nerve entrapment in my neck, which could be the cause of the muscle weakness in the hands. He's suggested I wear a neck collar. I was wondering if anyone has had this and if there are ways to investigate further? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you!
2 likes, 8 replies
Aberzerk72 Priya77
Edited
It could very well just be osteoarthritis which happens from aging as the cartiledge between our joints wears down. Your age?
It could also just be a case of repetitive stress injuries from using your hands a lot to clean which thickens tendons over time and causes pain as it gets trapped in your pulley system.
Unless pain radiates from ur neck down ur arms completely, I think that diagnosis is off.
Rest your hands for a few weeks. Do cold water dips with your hands (10 seconds only in icy water) 5-7xs a day and take anti inflammatory pills when flare is bad.
Also take and add turmeric, glucosamine, flax to your diet
Priya77 Aberzerk72
Edited
Hi, thanks for your reply. I am 30 years old. I have been told it's not osteoarthritis by a rheumatologist. However I had an unexplained illness 4 years ago (when all of this started) which has apparently caused nerve damage. The doc suspects it may have been Guillian Barre syndrome which has left long term nerve damage. The muscles in my hands and fingers are quite weak and my hands are numb frequently, I have also been told I have Restless Leg Syndrome as my legs tingle and twitch a lot at night.
I have been told to wear a cervical collar and am taking vitamin B supplements which might help with the nerve damage (if that's what it is). My blood tests etc. are all clear though so not really sure if I'm on the right track. Do you have any suggestions?
(Also taking glucosamine/collagen supplements and turmeric is part of diet.)
Thanks,
P
Aberzerk72 Priya77
Posted
hello there
sorry to hear your suffering
ahhh.. yes perhaps u caught a bacterial/viral infection? flu shot? herpes zoster? regardless, some peoples immunes system react (GB syndrome) and an attack of the nervous system occurs. this sounds lije what has happened to you
i dint have this syndrome myself but here immunoglobin therapy worls for some and gabapentin.. those all meds have their own risks
good luck
chris188867 Priya77
Edited
hi priya how are you now? i have the same problems
Edy_87 chris188867
Posted
hey, i have the same problems... any news about your symptoms?
chris188867 Edy_87
Posted
not really they seem to come and go. seem to have the need to crack my fingers atm and clench my teeth. how are you?
jovi60747 Priya77
Posted
Hi Priya
How are you? Have you found any answers to what was the cause of your problem and did it go away?