I have had ra for 5 years.

[sagil]

I am now having upper back pain, neck, and shoulders. Then tingling in hands and feet, then very achy to point of having a hard time going to sleep. My Rheumy says not from RA. Any advice.

[PJsorefeet]

Id get checked by your GP. Pins and needles in both sides of your body at the same time (ie both hands) can be a sign of disc problems in your spine. The fact its hands and feet could mean a disc in your neck is unhappy.

please see your GP and make clear the tingling, they're never that concerned over fatigue. But the pins and needles might be a red flag and need investigation.

let us know the outcome.

hope you feel better soon!

[Hidden]

sorry you are having a hard time ,I feel like that some days more than other I thought it was down to rd it is difficult to put this condition in to words as ever one is different and it is so changeable hope you feel better soon.

[oldtimer]

If your inflammatory markers are OK, then probably not the RA, but could be from poor posture and tension in the muscles because of the pain etc elsewhere.

I've had a lot of trouble like this, some of it from the side effects of medication, some from disc problems, but mostly because of how I use my body which is in pain.

Have a look at things like The Alexander Principle or Treat Your Own Back/neck by Robin Mackenzie, while asking your medical team about anything more serious.

[Hidden]

Yes I have similar issues and, despite high ESR my Rheumy still doesn't think this is RA for me either. Has yours not said what could be causing this general pain and ache with pins and needles in extremities? My problems have been like this for months now - and actually I've had pins and needles in feet and hands for three years now with periods on DMARDs when it fades away. A connective tissue professor told me the tingles are part of my RA and the burning sensation in palms and soles is Raynauds secondary to my RA - as are dry eyes.

I'm waiting to see a neurologist - but I've never had an MRI of my back or my neck so I've wondered if something might be compressing my nerves higher up. I was told I have early OA in my lower spine by a physio so perhaps the generalised aching and pins and needles are being caused by this rather than systemic inflammation? It is annoying that our rheumies will only focus on RA I feel? I hope you get some answers soon.

[bencar]

Agree with Jpsorefeet, my son had similar symptoms, he has had an operation to put right 2 discs on his spine and is now recovering and doing well.

Don't delay see your GP straight away he will be able to send you for a MRI, it's the only way this problem can be identified. Good luck.

[sagil in reply to bencar]

My general doctor feels its inflammation so will do the 30 mg Prednisone then taper down to my current level of 2 mg. Then if still a problem xrays etc.