Anyone with RA or RA SYMPTOMS AND CARPAL TUNNEL?

I have lived with Stills Disease since aged 17 and I’m now 60. Symptoms are joint pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness to name a few - speciality is Rheumy.

My wrists and hands are particularly affected and hurt at all times. I’ve noticed a new pain and sensation though which I think could be carpal tunnel. I have recently displayed the onset of Dupuytrens Contracture in both hands which runs in my family.

My question is the validly of an op for CT when my hands hurt all the time from RA anyway?

Any feed back from RA suffers with this condition would be appropriate thank you.

[thestorm]

Hi dear Still, so sorry you have to contend with RA, and daily pains. I to have RA, and Raynauds, with finger and wrist involvements. Well, wrist bands do wonders for pains, and I use copper fit brand. Relatively inexpensive and ordered on line. I soak my hands and wrists like you do your feet, in a foot bath with eucalyptus & spearmint Epsom salts. Great and relaxing..... we need all the relax we can get.... my GP orders a bone scan yearly, and the neurologist orders a EMG . You should speak with your Rhumey about your very painful symptoms, and see what testing they can offer. I also take a gel Naproxen when flaring pain before bed sometimes. I pray you get some relief soon dear one, and try the soak if you can. All my prayers and love to you . Love, the stormy sunshine xxxxxx

[Hidden in reply to thestorm]

Thank you, I do wear wrist supports when it gets too bad.Have a good weekend. ☀️

[thestorm in reply to Hidden]

❤💐😊🥰😇💖

[Piscesdreamer]

Hello,I do not have any of the conditions you have, but I know that once we have an autoimmune disease we are more likley to develop more. I have Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease and APS.

I started developing carpel tunnel-like pains and progressed to the point where I was unable to grip and carry anything for even short periods of time. Like carrying a small water bottle while walking. Gripping anything became painful.

I went to a neurologist who gave me a nerve conductivity test. I was given wrist splints with steel in them to sleep in. I explained to the neurologist that this may be autoimmune as I had read that APS can cause carpel tunnel like pain.

Then I went to my rhuemetologist who had just prescribed hydroxychloroquine for me. He said to give it 90 days to fully load into my system and let's see how it goes.

The hydroxychloroquine eliminated not only my carpel tunnel like pain, but also my bilateral hip pain, my fatigue, and my Achilles pain.

Maybe this will help you as well? Couldn't hurt to ask you doctors.

Also, do your doctors run an autoimmune blood panel every 6 months or annually? Mine check to see if I am or have developed new antibodies suggesting emerging autoimmune diseases.

♡irene

[Hidden in reply to Piscesdreamer]

Read your profile and note NHL which my 86 year old Dad has. Due to age and heart issues he can only tolerate Bi-monthly oral chemotherapy but he’s doing very well. How are you getting on?

[Piscesdreamer in reply to Hidden]

I am glad to hear your father is managing well! I was just diagnosed in October. I am on watch and wait and hope to be on watch and wait for years. My second CT scan is in May. They will be able to see how fast it is progressing.Until then I visualize my cancer going away ♡

[Hidden]

Brilliant reply thank you, very interesting. I don’t get bloods or anything checked as I’m only on pain relief and have not had to take steroids etc since my mid twenties. I am however feeling the time approaching though that I won’t be able to cope any longer without some interference from Rheumy . The splints you described were what I wore for about 5 years at onset and they are a great help, I would be happy to sleep in them again to save day time pain. I’ll see if I can speak to my GP……….