Pain in hands - please share your diagnosis experience

[Jimmykitten]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been suffering with pain in my hands for a couple of years, when I first approached my GP (I was 27) he was quite disparaging and said it was probably just repetitive strain injury as my job involved typing. No advice on reducing the impact etc so I just carried on.

Around 6 months ago the pain started to become unbearable at certain times of the day and I’ve noticed that I’m losing dexterity in my fingers (I’m struggling with fine motor skills, sewing for example) and my grip in both hands is weak. I saw my GP (different one as have moved house) who referred me for bloods as my mom has osteoarthritis and an unspecified auto-immune issue (they thought she had lupus or rheumatoid arthritis but determined it wasn’t either)

Bloods weren’t conclusive, when I rang for the results the receptionist tersely told me that my bloods were fine and doctor didn’t want to see me. I know I should have argued however I work full time teaching, I’m completing my Master full time all while looking after my family and I just don’t have the energy (possibly also due to the fact I feel awful!)

However my doctor then wrote to me to say she needed to see me urgently. I saw the GP who advised my Vit D is low but she doesn’t feel that this is the source of the pain in my hands so has now referred me to rheumatology.

The pain in my hands makes me feel sick, my thumb joint on both hands is the worse and then I have paid in the knuckles across both hands. Once I’ve finished for the day and I ‘stop’ my hands just throb and when I’m lying in bed they feel red hot and like they are pulsing if that makes sense. I feel so run down, not helped by the fact I also seem to have developed an allergy to something environmental (dust etc) so I constantly feel like I’ve got a cold, doc recommended taking 10mg Loradatine a day, I’m having to take 20mg just to be able to function otherwise I’m constantly sneezing.

I feel utterly fed up and I’m terrified that I’m going to go to the hospital and they will say they can’t help me.

Apologies for the massive moan, I just have no one to talk to about this.

Ha anyone else had a similar experience trying to find out what is wrong? Xx

[Holdingbacktheyears]

The pain you describe in your hands seems to be exactly like mine, Like you I used had used keyboards constantly at work in my case for about 30 years and feel that this has been the major cause of my hands, elbow and neck pain.

My very best wishes that you find relief for your condition x

[Weeannie]

I have sore hands with osteoarthritis I wear pressure gloves which I buy online from amazon. Might be worth a try for you in the short term. My Doc gave me splints to wear when it’s particularly bad x

[wonkydonky]

Hope your rheumatologist can get to the bottom of what's causing you pain and give you some relief. Pressure relieving gloves are very good and help keep my hands warm. Mine ache far more in the cold. Best wishes

[katieoxo60]

Hi Jimmykitten, how disheartening to have these problems so early in life. I've had arthritis since in my thirties it runs in the family (genetic) don't worry about moaning we all reach that state on occassions. Your main objective is to get ideas on how to manage your illness and a definate diagnosis would help. The gloves mentioned do help as do things like waxing, heat or ice, painkillers, hand exercises. pain releif gels , thumb and wrist splints . Sad to say arthritis is one of those things that often gets the fob off treatment. There are quite a few things available in health shops that work for many on the pain, so worth a try. Good luck with finding the best releif for you.

[day-break53]

Hi, jk your experience of doctors is very similar to mine, because of your young age they feel you cannot possibly have anything wrong with you,I was repeatedly told "you're too young to have arthritis" it took 10 years of my dogged determination to get a proper diagnosis from a specialist(i was sent to him as a last resort after years of being misdiagnosed ) I was told by one ortho "go away and lose weight" the same person told me 10 years later I have the spine of an eighty year old (i was 35 at the time) my point is keep going to your GP,keep fighting/demanding to see a specialist, I know it can be very scary not knowing what is wrong with you and that makes your symptoms feel worse.I too have allergies my nemesis is anything petrochemical, man made elastic is the worst,I believe they are all connected,I take generic anti histamines(cheap and do the same thing as named brands) I take vit D every day too. I too have problems with my hands they are always hot,even in winter, my ring finger is bending the wrong way, all part of arthritis.I really hope you get a definitive diagnosis soon, take care

[arthritis_action Partner]

Thank you for sharing your story and just to say we're sorry to hear this Jimmykitten - it sounds like a lot of pain. We hope the rheumatologist helps and we send you our positive thoughts!

All the best,

Despina

Arthritis Action's Communications Team

[Jimmykitten]

Thank you so much for all your kind words, I apologise that it has taken me so long to reply.

I saw the rheumatologist last Friday and he isn’t convinced that the pain is caused by rheumatoid arthritis. He sent me for a blood test for lupus and referred me for a scan on my hands and injections as he thinks it is a problem with my tendons.

The way he explained was that I would have a scan and then they’d decide whether to inject as the injections don’t always help? But the hospital called me yesterday to say they want me to go in Monday for injections in both hands so I’m really confused.

I’m also really terrified of having the injections 😢

[Lamama]

Dear Jimmykitten. I had very similar experience. Because bloods don’t point to anything specific the diagnosis tends to be non specific or by default osteoarthritis. After almost 25 years and persistence I have finally been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Over the years when asked if I had a rash I would always answer no as my psoriasis was infrequent and at times almost negligible. If you are in IT chances are you have psoriasis so check it out. Mine was so mild I thought I had a slight eczema over the years.

Good luck

[Ladyinredxx]

Hi, WOW you have just described my symptoms to a tee I have the same terrible pains, even down to sneezing and feeling like I have a cold. I've

had RA and osteopenia for years I take Vit D and hydroxychloroquine

200mg a day. I'm an older lady loosing the grip in my hands now but the

severe wrist and thumb pain is fairly new I'm taking paracetamol 500 mg

Voltarol joint pain rub and roll on elastic bandage grip, pain keeps me

awake at night and can't describe the pain I feel which is constant.

My arthritis is in my shoulders back and hips, but my hands are something

else, I also have a soak in Epsome Salts and Lavender bath. Find it quite

relaxing. Visit your doctor and ask for strong pain relieve, do hope U

find help soon . All the best regards Ladyinredxx