Usually backs of my hands, fingers and wrists. Toes tops of feet and backs of ankles.
No shoulder pain last night 🙂 but have woken up with flitting pains in both wrists.
Further to posts about opening jars etc (or not) every time I've been to rheumatology and gp they squeeze my hands and ask if it hurts and doesn't. If anything the main part of my hands are ok it's the wrists, some knuckles and most of the joints in my fingers, some of which have been getting bigger gradually and are very stiff at times.
What's with the squeezing?
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Brychni
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I find I get itching ( my RA is predominantly in my wrist and occasionally fingers can join in) in my fingers / hands when I have inflammation. When it calms the itching calms. I have assumed they squeeze to see if there is inflammation which would cause a restriction in the hands and therefore causes us pain? A pretty basic check but would indicate if you are in pain.
Hiya Brychni. Just checking back on your profile page post titles it does seem to be a persistent problem for you, a continued aggravation. Unfortunately, whilst we can guess or offer up similar experiences, ultimately only having your skin checked by a medical professional will start the process of determining just what may be the root cause. Have you seen a GP about it at all, as I appreciate Rheumys may be less easy to make contact with. As has been suggested before it may be med related or even, as you to date have a undifferentiated inflammatory diagnosis, with a family history of psoriasis it could be that in time the diagnosis may be Psoriatic Arthritis or PsA. It could be that a referral to Dermatology may be needed, all possibilities, but I would suggest the first step at this time would be to see your GP rather than recommend trying to ease it yourself with over the counter medications. Actually, have you had the Pharmacist where you have your scripts filled have a look at it? They may be able to help, they are more highly qualified than they're given credit for & could offer something suitable to help ease the itchiness until you can see your GP.
Hi Brychni. I think they squeeze your hands to find out if there is any tenderness. My Rheumy doc gets me to grip his finger to see if I have lost any strength (I suppose) and make a fist. I also get itchiness on my fingers and wrists but not as bad as you. I do get it across my back in between and on the shoulder blades and it drives me nuts!!!
thanks springcross - I don't know what's going on with me but I had excrutiating pain in my shoulder the other night so bad it woke me up twice. It didn't come back but now, in the last hour I have hideous shooting pains in my wrists - mostly the left. It's coming and going but it's nasty.
Being new to this I am not sure what to do . Do I go to GP or ring the rheumatology number the consultant gave me?
Please don't apologise, we are all in this together and are here for each other. I would contact your rheumy department on the number you have been given and explain and ask for advice - really let them know how bad it is and how worried you are. It may be (though I am no expert on this as I am relatively new to it) that your condition is still active (I'm saying that Brychni as I am assuming you have RA but correct me if I am wrong). I get shooting pains through my wrists which come all of a sudden and make me jump and I also have it in my right foot as I am typing this but I don't think mine is as bad as yours. I am on MTX and I think you are on Hydroxy aren't you? NMH has given some really good advice. Just a thought, have you googled side effects of Hydroxy? You may get a clue there or alternatively, you could contact the Helpline of NRAS to see if they can help you. Whatever you decide, I hope you get it sorted PDQ. Good luck and let us know how you get on. xxxx
Diagnosis was Undifferentiated Inflammatory ARthritis. An ultra sound scan found the evidence, blood tests were negative although the last time I had blood tested for factors was well over a year ago. I did have positive antiphospholipid antibodies - although I don't fully understand what it means.
Yes I have been taking hydroxych. for about 5 weeks.
I feel so stupid because at the time of diagnosis my pains had been bad but fleeting and erratic and I was more worried about taking the medication!
It's been about 7 weeks and in that time everything has got bad, wrists, shoulderblade, fingers, feet, ankles. It must divine retribution for my dismissive attitude initially. That'll teach me.
NMH = nomoreheels. Don't beat yourself up about it, I was extremely worried about having to have medication too. Have a look on google under Undifferentiated Inflammatory Arthritis, you may find something that helps or check up on the side effects of the Hydroxy and see if there is anything there. I understand Hydroxy is a slow acting drug which takes between one - three months to work, sometimes longer. Take care. xxxx
I too have been on hydroxychloriquine, but have since moved onto Enbrel injections. Hydroxychloriquine did not help with my RA, but left me itching,scratching, and clawing my whole body !! It was like I was in an ant bed !
The squeezing of your hands by your dr is testing for pain and joint tenderness, a sign of joint erosion or inflammation.
Hydroxy took about 6 weeks before it kicked in. A little relief, but, not much, and the itching !
Enbrel, is a miracle drug !! Yes, it too has major side effects and possible health issues from its use. But, I could tell a huge difference in my pain & swelling after my third injection !!
No pain, no swelling and my life is back to normal, being independent again and pain free !
Hope this info helps and I sure hope that your pain will subside quickly and the itching.😊
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