PMR Hand Pain
Posted , 13 users are following.
I have been busy and miserable with PMR since February of this year and I find it very helpful to read all the variations that occur with others who have this disease - this is a really great blog site.
One issue that I have not read much about (or maybe I just missed the discussions) is the severe hand pain that occurs with PMR – it seems that most discussion is regarding the medication effect on the arm and leg joint pain (that I indeed have).
I am finding that as the prednisone (and in my case, also methotrexate) seem to be reducing the pain much earlier in the day or almost completely down to a very minor ache – the pain in both hands is not reducing until much later in the day and starts to recur in the late evening, making getting to sleep uncomfortable.
In the morning the pain and lack of muscle control is such that sometimes I am unable to open a jam jar lid or the front door handle – and it has severely reduced my ability to play favorite sport - racquetball.
My current sed rate is down to 25 and I take methotrexate 20 mg (once per week) and in weekly steps I am down to 10 mg of pred (per day).
I would appreciate comments by others who still have, or have passed by the hand pain issue of PMR and how they have handled it.
Thanks everyone
David
1 like, 34 replies
paula63201 Dave-California
Posted
I sympathize with your pain. I had PMR for several months before being diagnosed with it. During that time, my wrists swelled up. It was exceptionally bad in my right hand as I was unable to bend my right middle finger; could not write, hold anything in my hand, barely funcitonal at all and none of the over the counter pain meds helped. I ended up getting a steroid shot directly into the right wrist. Within a day or so, it was fully funcitonal and has stayed that way.
Not sure whether a steorid shot can be given, if you are already on steroids for PMR, but it is worth asking about.
BTW. Finally got the PMR diagnosis December 5, 2013. Started on 20 mg of Prednisone, and now at 9 mg.
EileenH paula63201
Posted
If you develop any tendonitis/synovitis as part of PMR a shot often achieves better results though you still need oral pred longterm. The hands and feet thing was part of my PMR right from the outset and the wrists ached every reduction until I devised the "dead slow and nearly stop" technique I mentioned before. Now it is just occasionally - usually in rsponse to weather changes!
Healingjan Dave-California
Posted
I have been treating my PMR with homeopathy and a number of other non-drug treatments, mainly from my D,O. who practices hands-on osteopathy, and then take one Ibuprofen four times a day. I have gotten 85% better with no side effects, so I can't speak to drug related issues.
When I had severe pain and stiffness in my hands, at night I wore the gloves/splints for carpal tunnel which were helpful. She prescribed something called a 'contrast bath' which is putting the hands alternately in very warm and very cold water; you can find instructions on YouTube. I have been going to a wonderful Myofascial Trigger Point Release pain therapist and that has also helped tremendously; she has shown me how to treat myself inbetween visits. Pain in the hand is often referred from higher in the arm and shoulder, and even other areas, so she treats many points.
Wishing you the best of luck with your hand pain, it is hard to have your everyday activities and sports so limited.
pnjmj Healingjan
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bedilia pnjmj
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I think it's a crap shoot as to what will work for an individual. You have to be open to trying new pain management modalities. What may work for me one day, will do "diddly squat" for me the next day.
Christine
EileenH Dave-California
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Healingjan EileenH
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Oregonjohn-UK Healingjan
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bedilia Healingjan
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pnjmj Healingjan
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bedilia pnjmj
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pnjmj bedilia
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cass3820 Dave-California
Posted
Hi Dave
I have just been diagnosed with PMR, which was almost overlooked because of a shoulder injury (requiring reconstruction) which they found searching the cause of my pain, and which masked the PMR.
The doctor at first considered PMR, but once an arm injury was found would not even consider two conditions or test for inflammation.
A second doctor finally decided to listen to my complaints of pain, but clearly didn't know anything about the condition, but luckily she sought advice after the inflammation tests came back.
That being said, she said my painful hands were because I "must clench my fist during the night", and my sore jaw is because she says I "must gring my teeth" also. I am sure she is wrong on both counts. I know from what I have read, and because of the soreness and burning in my hands that this not so, but the sore jaw, one side, worries me. She won't test for that.
I believe that because they left me about 4 months before doing anything, that the pain spread to my hands and jaw. I had an initial trial on PRED, so I know it works - now for the long road ahead. Hopefully no as much leg and shoulder pain either.
You may be lucky that you did not get it too far through your body. Boy do doctors need educating here - Australia.
Good Luck with your recovery.
Hope this might help others suffering.
EileenH cass3820
Posted
What do you mean by "sore jaw"? GCA jaw pain appears when youa re suing your jaw, initially more when chewing something hard or tough, later it can be just when chewing anything. And in some people it even happens just as a result of talking.
There is no test for GCA - any of it. You obviously have raised blood markers so that may help - if they don't go down while on the dose of pred she offers it is possibly a sign the dose isn't high enough. And to be honest, that is all that matters: you have a high enough dose to control your symptoms.
Funnily enough there is a group in Australia that is working with the northeast of England group I am associated with. I think they are in Perth though.
EileenH
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