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RA and carpal tunnel symptoms

Posted , 6 users are following.

laura96939
laura96939

Hiya, I have been on Naproxen and Amitriptyline for 2 years but came off them early this year due to severe side effects. The symptoms of carpal tunnel came on very fast and are really severe now 6 months later, my nerve induction tests have came back normal, is this ‘normal’ because it’s the swelling from RA causing it ? Both undiagnosed through bloods and have another app with Orthopaedic surgery clinic in a few weeks.  This is affecting my livelihood and everyday life pretty bad now and I’m desperate for answers, my gp has been very lax this whole time and I haven’t pushed for treatments. 

Any advice or recommendations greatly appreciated, thank you. 

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH laura96939

    Posted

    You are diagnosed with RA and only on naproxen and amitryptyline? Or is this your GP's approach?

    If you really have RA you need to be under a rheumatologist and on the correct medication. Which isn't naproxen or amitriptyline...

  • treezsh
    treezsh laura96939

    Posted

    Hi Laura, you really need to see a Rheumatologist and you will sadly have to demand gently and politely that you see one urgently.   Naorixen is really onky an interim method of deali ng with the inflammation of the synovium.  There isnt much space in your wrist where all the tendons go into the arm, any swelling will give you carpal tunnel syndrome.  Amy tryptamine is sometimes used for nerve pain on low doses but rheumatology drugs are not these as the other writer states.   Have faith you will get it sorted but you need to push! just what I know you eont feel like doing when you feel unwell anyway.  Sending caring thoughts.
  • carol303055
    carol303055 laura96939

    Posted

    Hi Laura, I agree with both the other 2 replies except to say sometimes when you are desperate and really at the end of your tether is a good time to vent your feelings (in an assertive way of course!). Is there a different GP you could see? Whether or not, good luck. Hope you get sorted soon.

    Carol x 

  • laura96939
    laura96939

    Posted

    Hi, RA is undiagnosed but I have been treated for this as presenting lots of symptoms despite my bloods being normal. The amitryptaline was for back pain but really helped my hands more so she kept me on them.  Upon further research myself though I am now questioning if my back is the actual cause. Hopefully the Orthopaedic doctor can help me and actually start investigating for the right things before I actually lose my mind and all functioning from my hands and wrists. 

    Thanks for your replies, I appreciate it .

    • EileenH
      EileenH laura96939

      Posted

      I think what we are all saying is that it probably isn't the orthopods you need to see but the rheumatologists. Who are trained to see past just the blood tests - a GP isn't, although they perhaps should be. GPs don't have access to the best medications for any form of arthritis and orthopods won't either, they have a rather different remit.

  • laura96939
    laura96939

    Posted

    So Physio has helped push for more investigations than my gp or the ortho surgeon. I have been having treatment for TOS and the the lead physio said yesterday my last lot of bloods done beginning of last year they checked everything except RA markers !! So having that done today and she said she’d refer me to the rheumatologist depending on results esp as I have two types of eye drops now too and the ophthalmologist wanted me to go back to the gp with their report ( which i never because I’ve lost faith in them). In the six months since posting this my feet have now started being painful and I have some bony type growth on both bunion areas which appeared quite quickly. 

    Is it common to start in the hands then the feet ? 

    This is a long winded way to go about correct diagnosis isn’t it. :-(

    • EileenH
      EileenH laura96939

      Posted

      It is a bit of a detour yes - and once you have a diagnosis I think I would be turning up at my GP and demanding justification for the way they have messed about.

      The whole point of early referral in rheumatoid disease is to prevent progression of any disease process. Which it sounds as if it may be happening. Or it is something completely different. 

      Do come back again and tell us!

  • laura96939
    laura96939

    Posted

    EileenH thanks, i will.  Yes ive had a good read through more RA info and i guess at this stage if its showing in the blood now and it didn't 3 year ago and my symptoms have progressed fairly rapid the last year that kind of bypasses the early intervention stage. Feel like its my own fault for letting them fob me off, even though im hardly ever there. Im angry they think its ok for a 38 yr old to be in this state when i am always healthy and very active.

     

    • EileenH
      EileenH laura96939

      Posted

      No, not your fault, they often do have a "I'm the doctor and you are merely a patient" attitude and that is difficult for a young patient to fight against. Good doctors don't - this one needs a clip round the ear! Their job is to know which specialist you need and this one failed spectacularly. I'm old enough to be your mum - and went to uni and worked with them. I have a lot of background!!!!

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