Sore tips of fingers

[Barrister]

The flesh on the tips of my fingers has become very hot, red and sore and hurts when I touch anything, even typing this. They have become redder over the past few days. The joints are feeling uncomfortable too. Does anyone else who suffers from PsA have this or am I just being a wimp?

[Hidden]

I have a friend with PsA and her fingers are often red hot sore at the tips. My fingers became very sore on the DIP joints nearest to the nail for a while and then bony lumps grew on all of the joints but I was told that this was early OA by my rheumy and this is different to my friend's fingers or to RA in fingers. I believe sometimes that Raynaud's can affect fingers and toes in this way too - can even lead to ulceration. I hope someone with PsA will come on soon and advise you. Tx

[Barrister in reply to Hidden]

Thanks RArebird, I thought that it was probably the PsA but hoped it was really nothing (as you do)! I will go to see my doctor because I have been holding out on taking DMARDS but think that the time is rapidly coming when I will have to start. Clemmie

[Hidden]

Oh dear - it does sound like it. My friend is about to relent and get onto anti-tnfs now after 8 years of PsA plus other neurological issues. Are you presently taking nothing then? Tilda x

[Barrister]

Hi, Tilda, when I was first diagnosed last April, I was told it was RA and prescribed Hydroxychloroquine, but this caused intense itching so I had to stop taking it. When I got back to the. UK I asked for a second opinion and was told that it was PsA ( even though I don't have psoriasis) and the rheumatologist suggested which medications I should start on but, answering your question, no I'm not taking anything as yet because I would rather have pain than all the side effects of MXT! I think though I will have to at least try. Clemmie

[Hidden in reply to Barrister]

Thanks for explaining Clemmie. I feel similarly about drugs v pain and have stopped taking MTX now - although fortunately I'm not in much pain presently. But it can be a very effective drug and not everyone has side effects - it is generally well tolerated so I'm told.

[helixhelix in reply to Barrister]

The majority of people don't get any, or any significant, side effects from MTX... like me. I had a short bout of mouth ulcers after a couple of years but switching to injections sorted that. So only effect is a foggy morning the day after, which is well worth it to me as my RA is basically in remission now. I don't think this site is truly representative as gets more of the people with problems that those without. Your choice of course, but don't be too nervous of the drugs until you've tried them. Polly

[Barrister in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks Polly, I understand what you say re side effects and this forum. I keep telling myself that I will be ok but I do tend to have reactions to a lot of medication. However, I know deep down that I have to start it some time. The trouble is there is always a reason not to! It's silly, isn't it, because usually the apprehension is far worse than the actual outcome. I have to stop being a child and get on with it, especially as my middle son is going to start taking it for his psoriasis. Can't show myself up in front of him as I will never live it down!!! Clemmie

[helixhelix in reply to Barrister]

First time I took them I had them on the table in front of me for hours as I was so apprehensive... But you can always stop, so it's just one week at a time. And ask your doc if you can start at a very low dose and work up slowly - that does seem to help. P

[Hidden]

Hello

I have PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS.

Generally called small joint arthritis, it will effect the tips of your fingers, joints. Also will pit and mark the nails as they grow. As I have this problem on occasions finger joints and nails will irritate in use.

treatment is same as PSA, so understand there is nothing really to treat, possibly dip hands in cold water. Irritation sometimes will make the sufferer bite their nails to the quick, as of irritation

Hope this informs

BOB

[Barrister]

Thanks Bob. But I won't be putting my hands in cold water as only the tips are sore and burning. The rest of my hands are cold. I guess I will just have to put up with it. Never mind. Thanks again. Clemmie

[Hidden]

If that is the case then it might be worth looking into Raynaud's Clemmie? - this is very much how my hands are now and although I used to be extremely warm blooded I now am almost phobic about the cold - not great living in Orkney as I do! My friend with PsA also has Raynauds and it is an autoimmune connective tissue condition too. Tilda

[bencar]

Hi Barrister, I could have written posts exactly like yours, have a Rheumy. Appoint next week with a view to starting methotrextrate which I have now been putting off for 12 months. Think I may have to succumb though, like you I have always had a reason why I shouldn't start it,(not right time, have brother coming from Oz, going on holiday etc). Think my problem is I don't appear to have the terrible pain that others go through on here, sometimes my hands swell, occasionally I have a pain in my ankle, which does not last long, therefore I think I would be a bit of a fraud complaining. In the last week I have noticed skin pealing from my middle finger of my right hand and find it sore when I touch anything. Think the time may have come for me to at least try MTX. The problem with me is I don't tolerate medication very well so just another reason I have put it off.

[Barrister in reply to bencar]

Hi Bencar, you sound like me. I guess we just need to get on with it! Good luck. Clemmie

[Hidden]

Hi, I don't have PsA just plain old RA but I too suffer with painful fingertips. Typing makes my fingertips very red and tender and it's one of the main reasons I don't come on here very often. Hope you can get it sorted out soon x

[Barrister]

Thanks Paulywoo, that sounds just how my fingers are. At least I know that I'm not imagining it. Clemmie

[janiegirl]

My finger tips/beds and my toenail beds have been hurting like crazy! I started Topamax after weaning off Gabapentin! I had been on GABA for many years and wanted to try something different! I started having theses symptoms about a month after starting the new med, so now I am dosing down in hopes it will stop the symptom and also help the Fibromyalgia symptoms!

[Jess94]

Hi, I have the pain you were describing in your finger tips and wondered if you ever received a doctor's opinion regarding your finger tips.

I am experiencing what you were describing - "flesh on the tips of my fingers has become very hot, red and sore." Trying to figure it out now and was hoping you had figured out what was going on with you.

I have very poor circulation naturally and so my hands and feet get very cold. Over the past two days one of my fingers has swollen and is very hot and sensitive, feels like there is almost a prick in them. I had surgery on the finger that is especially bothering me a year ago to have a lump removed which they believed was cartridge build up. So i am wondering if this is causing the problem as I am back in a cold climate for the first time since the operation and perhaps my circulation is struggling to get through the operated finger. There are small red patches at the tips of my right hand fingers, not my left, which would make sense as whatever is causing the issue is coming from the middle finger on my right hand so would be effecting the circulation in all my fingers.

Any advise appreciated!

Jess

[Barrister]

No, I've never found out the cause, it comes and goes. I don't find that the weather especially makes a difference,. At present I am in the Middle East but my finger tips are just getting a bit sore again. Clemmie