A little worried

[Kazwilks]

Hi Everyone and Happy new year. I haven't posted on here for a long time, just been plodding on as you do. I have been on Benepali now for 2yrs and coping OK. My slight worry is I have had pins and needles in both hands now for quite a while, with everything going on atm regarding covid I haven't been to my doctor, I've practically buried my head and thought it would go away but unfortunately it's quite persistent. I have googled it and it's stated it could be a number of things ie diabetes, diet, carpel tunnel etc just wondering if anyone else has suffered with this

[Wobbies]

Had carpal tunnel which felt like that but it went when my RD was more under control. Hope that helps. However, let the rheumy nurses know. xx

[Runrig01]

I currently have this, was sent for nerve conduction studies which ruled out carpal tunnel syndrome. I have a slipped disc at C6-7 which has calcified and is pressing on the outer layer of the cord. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to discuss what needs doing. It was first detected 9yr ago, and has calcified more over the years. Do not sure steroid injections will work

[Deeb1764]

I get a lot of pins and needles in my hands and toes. Talk to your RA team but also maybe log down when getting it and how long it lasts and maybe what you were doing prior to it happening. Mine is part carpal part fibro 😑

[sylvi]

I had that before i got my diagnosis of ra. It would be wise to see a gp or your rheumy. xx

[Sheila_G]

I do get occasional pins and needles in hands but I don't know why. I have asked GP but he doesn't know either. Sorry that isn't helpful.

[oldtimer2]

It's common to get tingling if you have swelling in the wrists as part of your Rheumatoid Disease. But it's not satisfactory to accept it! It means that the nerve(s) are under pressure and that affects your dexterity and will cause muscle weakness. Contact your rheumy team for advice - splints may help or an injection of steroid might be necessary.

[Shamrockgirl]

I wonder are you having any issues with doing the benepali injections? My hands have felt worse in the last few months, though at last consultant appointment (July 2021) all seemed ok from their viewpoint. My right hand especially is more painful overall, grip poor, doing those injections is taking longer & now very painful. I did contact NRAS about other possibilities, they mentioned getting benepali as an infusion. Surely that would be better, even if it meant being at the day ward at hospital, one day a month or two? Another option may be to ask about another drug, like “jaks inhibitors”, though they are less likely to want to change a drug that has worked? Anyone any thoughts on this?

Isn’t it kind of odd to offer an injection that’s fiddly to do right, to patients with RA that affects your hands & grip, could they not have come up with something better?

My next biologics nurse phone appointment (postponed from November 2021) is early February & I plan to ask. Of course I still hate dealing with the dreaded “Sciensus” (was Healthcare at Home) they are still poor, in my view.

[Kazwilks in reply to Shamrockgirl]

Thanks for your reply Yes I agree my injections are also becoming painful to do and now are leaving bruises. I have made an appointment at my GP but to be truthful it's a waste of time it is only a telephone appointment so God knows what she can do for me without actually seeing me. This GP business is becoming a farce. I haven't felt right in myself for a while, bad headaches, ringing in my ears, feeling very sickly and now tingling in both hands. I will post and let you and everyone who replied know what the outcome is