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Pain in all the finger joints

Posted , 10 users are following.

Dave-California
Dave-California

I have been working on PMR reduction with prednisone and methotrexate for about 16 months and after a ‘flare’ about a year ago, I have been on a slow ‘taper’ from 20 mg pred using a 5-10% reduction of the medication monthly over that period.

Now I am just tapering from 4.5 mg to 4 mg.

Generally all the thigh, shoulder, hip and shoulder girdles pain and ache levels seem to be maintaining a fairly uniform and bearable background level that has allowed me to keep the taper going at this rate (currently 3-5% medication dose).

But – one big issue that is really bothering me, and hasn’t followed the overall body pain reduction, are my HANDS.

The pain in the hands is not like carpel tunnel – it is in all joints of both hands from the wrist to the furthest finger joint.

Both hands are almost locked up in the morning and need constant flexing (which is painful) to allow me to open the marmalade jar ! The flexibility and pain level does improve slightly toward the evening but is never gone completely.

I have checked the Forum for similar conditions and haven’t found anything specific – I was wondering if others have this specific condition or is it likely that I may have some other Rheumatic condition that is ‘tagging’ along with the PMR ??

Thanks ahead,

David

2 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • barb84664
    barb84664 Dave-California

    Posted

    David. Sounds like you are describing my hands. I am having a test for carpal tunnel this week but am convinced it is part of my PMR
    • Dave-California
      Dave-California barb84664

      Posted

      Hi Barb - I would be interested to hear the results of your test and the communication you have with your doctor. 

      i have discussed this issue with my rheumatologist and she indicates that if the range of the distress I'm having is all my hand joints, it is unlikely to be CT. but she did not give me other options other than continuation of pred and MTX for at least another 3 months before heading in other directions.

      Hope you get a defined answer.

      Best,

      David

  • pam7653
    pam7653 Dave-California

    Posted

    The finger joints was my very first indication something was wrong with me. That was in 2011. I I was 57. I also was dealing with an over active thyroid for reasons unknown. I treated the thyroid for 2 yrs. that's over now but the hand issue continued. No one knew what it was. In 2013 I was in so much pain I couldn't get out of a chair or my car. I couldn't do anything. I was taking ibuprofen for joint pain. I developed terrible heartburn and took myself to ER. Thought I was having a heart attack. I was 60 at the time. They didn't really find anything, but put me on Naproxin for pain. It worked great. So I demanded a rumatologist. I've tapered down from 15 mg to now 5. It's been 2 yrs. my hands still bother me, no one knows why. I must say that when I took that first 15 mg I took 24 hrs and I felt like a million bucks. I cycled 33 miles that next day. I use to love running and cycling. I hadn't been able to do it since 2010. I'm still active, have occasional pain but I'm maintaining it. Doc says I will always have this auto immune problem but it can go in remission. It's in my DNA. I can't prevent it. My mother had an auto immune disease and now my daughter has Crohns. It's just in the family. Yes, my hands are still stiff in the am and gets better as the day goes by. I'm at my Dr's right now. Bumping my Prednizone back to 5 mg from 4 mg. let's see if it helps. I'll be 62 in Zjuly and still kicking. smile

  • barbara75814
    barbara75814 Dave-California

    Posted

    David, 

    When I answered you earlier, I meant to SPECIFY Tylenol (of all things). You recently mentioned you might have to start on the "over-the counter" things for pain.

    Advice: NSAIDs (all of them) are NOT recommended for treating PMR. Only Tylenol, apparently. 

    Good luck, Barbara

    • Dave-California
      Dave-California barbara75814

      Posted

      Hi Barbara

      Yes - that is what my rheumatologist told me - acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you have to take something, and ibuprofin only if you really have a pain issue resulting from something other than the PMR aches and pains, but not to take ibuprofin with any regularity.

      Best to you as well,

      David

    • EileenH
      EileenH barbara75814

      Posted

      No NSAIDs should be taken alogside pred - it increases the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding even further.

      Tylenol/acetanimophen/parcetamol (whatever you call it where you are) is said not to - although the most recent studies are suggesting it DOES contribute to gastric irritation. But be careful with the dose - 4g is the max daily dose and 5g is enough to cause problems. All sorts of cold remedies and things can contain it - so don't take one of those if you have already taken Tylenol/acetanimophen/parcetamol as tablets. And NEVER more than 1mg at a time (2x500mg tablets).

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