I have Rheumatoid arthritis- I'm getting more and more pins and needles - why?

[simba91]

I have Rheumatoid arthritis - for a few years now. Past few months I've been getting more and more pins and needles in my hands.. even when awake and walking outdoors. Why could this be

[Hidden]

I get this it probably RA related when my disease is active hands and feet get pins and needles maybe because inflammation and swelling pressure on nerves

[patsymay13]

Could it be carpal tunnel symptoms ..I used to get this with my hands at times pre RD before I had release surgery on my hand x

[helixhelix]

Many causes, so you need to get it check out to be sure. Being in both hands does point to RA, but if it carries on after you've been awake a while and your RA is otherwise well controlled then could be either carpal tunnel (is it more on thumb and first couple of fingers?) or osteoarthritis in the neck causing a nerve to be pinched.

[nomoreheels]

If the pins & needles affect all but your little finger that could point to Carpal Tunnel. It's the median nerve near the wrist that becomes compressed due to inflammation. Pain can extend up the arm into the shoulder & can be quite debilitating for such a common syndrome. I have had CT release successfully. Otherwise if you have neck issues, cervical OA (spondylosis) like me that can also result in pins & needles travelling to your hands.

I had to come off leflunomide because it caused CT & peripheral neuropathy, I don't suppose you're taking it?

[Brushwork]

Could be a number of things.

Talk to your specialists - when did it start? what drugs were you on? anything else new? These three questions are the top of my list whenever anything different or new happens.

I was on Leflunomide when I started to get it, when I stopped taking it the tingling reduced dramatically, and now I only get it mildly occasionally.

[Troygirl]

Symptoms of Carpel Tunnel. Request a nerve conductor test given by a neurologist.

I had those symptoms and sure enough after months and months of my RA dr just giving me massive doses of prednisone, and tried several biologicals, even IV biological. No relief! I said enough is enough. There is no way in hell hands and wrists could be in a non stop "flare" for over a year!

And guess what...finally fired my RA dr and got a new one that knows what the hell they are doing!

PS. Had the surgery and numbness & tingling, dropping things, fingers freezing up GONE and now slowly reducing the prednisone. My adrenals are all messed up (now have Cushing Syndrome) because of being on high doses of prednisone for OVER A YEAR!

Thankfully I still have the option of choosing my OWN doctors and not mandated by some government bureaucrat of what they think I need!

Good read:

regiehammblog.wordpress.com...