Been suffering a lot with excruciating right hand pain, weakness and extreme swelling since last year (most recently pain from my elbow when bending too). Was being treated for Carpal Tunnel by my GP (got injected and helped for approx 3 months). Just yesterday I went for an Nerve Conduction Test - the doctor said there were no signs of a compressed nerve meaning nothing to indicate Carpal Tunnel syndrome.
I’m now clueless, just cleaned the kitchen and my hand is double the size of the other and so painful.
Any advice is extremely welcomed!
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ClodaghK
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This happens to me all the time. Yesterday I changed the bed and up my hand became inflamed and swollen and throbbing. Any cold or illness exacerbates it too. I too was tested for carpal tunnelling but did not get a definitive diagnosis. I have lived with it for 25years and presumed it was Lupus symptom..its definitely inflamed joints in my case. My hands have been reacting as a signal to an illness since I was a child. Gets me out of chopping veg as a plus point. Its something I have learnt to live with.
Yep that sounds so familiar to me! I haven’t taken notice of the cold etc but will be more conscious of that now. I’m currently on a waiting list to see a Rheumatologist so hopefully can get more answers there. It’s such a painful thing, but as you said just have to get on with most of these things as there’s usually not a simple answer/treatment!
I have never heard of this! Will definitely have a read into it, thank you for sharing! My hands wouldn’t look like that colour wise, but one had will just look like a balloon!
Your symptoms are definitely not carpal tunnel. What was your GP injecting that helped? That might give you a clue of the origin of pain. If you got steroid shots there is a high chance that the source is inflammation. So ypu need to see a specialist to determine where is it coming from. Swelling is usually a symptom of inflammation... is it a joint thats inflamed or nerve or something else?
Yes it was steroid that was injected into the wrist! Im currently waiting to go back and see my orthopaedic specialist, following the negative results from nerve conduction test so maybe I can get some more answers there!
Hi so sorry you’re going through this and not getting any answers. I get pains and swelling in my hands which sounds like what you described. My fingers virtually cease up. Never had a diagnosis for it, and as another has said I just put it down to lupus. I was however given wrist supports, the ones with the metal bars in, and these did help, but you have to wear them sparingly as they can weaken your wrists if worn too much. I found them helpful if I knew I was going to be using my hands and wrists a lot. Funnily enough I haven’t had it bad for a while, though I have learnt the early warning signs so perhaps that’s why. Hope this helps, and take care
Yes it’s certainly not a nice thing! Sorry to hear you’ve never found out what it is. Oh yes I know the ones, I was using a splint for carpal tunnel but maybe I’d be better off with something that was just focused on the wrist! It just totally gets in the way of every day life, whether it’s cooking/driving/cleaning. Thank you so much, you too!
Yes that’s the sort of triggers that set it off for me (cooking/cleaning/driving). Very interesting what JCJW has said as I do suffer with raynaulds but no-one mentioned a link with my hands. Hope you manage to get something sorted soon
Hi Clodaghk I have the same symptoms as you. I had a nerve Conduction test and they said the same to me. The rheumatologist has said that its raynaulds and has recommended a new drug for me to take but my gp has said that he isn't happy about me having it as I'm show signs of reaction to some of the ingredients in it, so I have a gp telephone appointment on Friday to discuss alternative medication. I also have very sore painful feet and toes. Who knows what the gp will suggest but I hope it helps.
I was totally left confused after they said it was negative, but I was also happy as I knew I wouldn’t have to face surgery for it! I have seen some things about raynauds but must do a little bit more research into it! Sorry to hear your new medication isn’t agreeing with you but I hope you find something that works great for you soon!
I have had similar pain issues in both my hands. My hands cramp and go rigid, my wrists click, my thumb seams to get stuck and the pain is horrendous. My GP said carpal tunnel and advised that I buy splints. I have tried many and the only ones that work are with thumb spica and cover up to mid arm. The pain is so much easier with them. Like you I had nerve conduction tests that came back negative. My GP just shrugged, my Rheumatologist said it must by arthritis, my Orthapaedic Surgeon said it’s the Lupus so I am left to live with it. I hope that your doctors are more caring and thorough because it is very painful xx
First of all, I am so sorry that you haven’t got a definite answer! I think the common theme from this thread is, they seem to put it down to lupus when they don’t have any other answers! I have that splint from when I was told it was carpal tunnel too, just not sure if I should continue wearing it at night now! Thank you so much xxx
I took mine off at night but they really do help during the day otherwise my wrist gives and I drop things. I have had two nerve conduction tests years apart, nothing found. I think some Consultants refer you and then shrug their shoulders as do GP ‘s. I truly hope you get some joy with your hands they really can make life miserable. My fingertips get so hot, my hubby jumps when I touch his arm. Very strange xxx
ClodaghK, First, I am sorry that you are having such a difficult time with your right hand. It seems that the first course of thinking is carpel tunnel and then if the nerve conduction tests are negative, oh well. A few years ago, my rheumatologist was certain that my numbness, swelling and pain was carpel tunnel. When the test was negative, she thought it could be small vessel neuropathy, but said testing for that could not be done locally. Since the symptoms would at times abate, I didn't worry about it. Then, although I do not have the excruciating pain you have, both hands have numbness, inflammation and the doctors again immediately mention carpel tunnel and splints. I am inclined to think and especially after reading all the posts, that is is lupus related. Whenever the tests come back negative, it seems the doctors just dismiss it with no answers. I realize I am not helping much here, but it seems that they don't always want to say it is lupus or admit they really just don't know. Whatever is causing such horrible pain and swelling for you, I hope there is some way to get relief.
It such a strange thing! I think because there are still so many unknowns about Lupus, doctors think of that immediately.. It just completely interferes with every day life, but I guess just another thing you have to get on with! Thank you so much, we will wait and see what my orthopaedic doctor says in July x
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