Has anyone experienced severe wrist pain going up to the elbow, which in the night makes my lower arm and hand numb? I don't get the numbness or tingling as much during the day, but the pain persists and is made worse when I use my hands...especially as in typing! Both wrists hurt, but the right is by far the worst. It really is agonising. I am on MTX and Budesonide and taking Cocodamol for the pain. I have fished out my wrist braces which I used when having wrist problems about ten years ago which are helping me, especially during the night. I'd be grateful to hear of anyone else who is, or has, experienced this. I considered carpal tunnel syndrome having looked online but this is both wrists. My fingers and knuckles have been hurting for the past two years but this is new to me. Thank you in advance. As I finish typing, I am saying 'OUCH! xx
Wrist and arm pain!: Has anyone experienced severe... - NRAS
Wrist and arm pain!
With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. It sounds to me like it could well be carpal tunnel, and you can get it in both wrists at the same time. The other option is cubital tunnel, which I have bilaterally and to exactly the same extent on both sides: the pain isn’t as severe as what you’re describing, but I have pain in my elbows and wrists, and routinely wake up with numb lower arms/hands. Rather than the nerve compression being at the wrist, cubital tunnel is compression of the ulna nerve at the elbow. I have consistent issues day in day out, but it’s worse when my RD is particularly bad and my wrists/elbows are involved as the inflammation exacerbates the problem by compressing the nerves further. Any pressure on the inside of my elbows, like resting my arms on my knees, or even trying to lie flat on a bed with my arms at my sides, or extension of the joint like holding the steering wheel, or a phone or book up, triggers pins and needles which rapidly turns to increased pain and then numbness. As the symptoms can be very similar, I was told the main way to tell the difference between carpal and cubital tunnel is that with carpal, symptoms tend to effect the thumb, index and middle fingers, whereas with cubital, it’s the baby, ring and half of the middle finger: typically, many people with cubital tunnel can draw a line down their middle finger, with the side nearest the ring finger having symptoms/altered sensation, and the side nearest the index finger feeling normal. The pain from cubital tunnel is also often described as being similar to when you hit your funny bone. Arthritis itself can be a root cause of both carpal and cubital tunnel.
Clearly you need to see your GP, and I suspect get a referral to orthopaedics, but depending on which it is (if it’s even either!), braces can be helpful. Wrist braces will help most with carpal tunnel, but I do get some benefit from wrist supports; there are specific elbow braces for cubital tunnel to wear overnight to prevent the numbness. They basically hold your elbow in a fixed position; I didn’t get on with them, mostly because both my elbows are effected and wearing them for both just isn’t practical, but also because I found them annoying to try and sleep. Steroid injections can help, but in the longer term for persistent issues, release surgery is the best option. I was offered it some years ago but couldn’t take advantage at the time due to needing other surgery as a priority, and then difficulty as a result of being a full-time carer for my daughter - 6 to 8 weeks of not having functional arms was just impossible. I’m planning to get them done in the not too distant future, though.
Charlie, thank you so very much for your detailed reply. It is very helpful. You obviously understand the issues I am having even if yours are a little different. From your description I suspect that mine is Carpal tunnel,because my thumb is where much of the pain is coming from. There is swelling over my wrist so it may be, as you say, causing pressure on the nerve. The Cocodamol is helping a great deal but I really hate relying on them. This started so suddenly and I honestly thought I was suffering from a stroke initially. I do have a wrist brace and that is helping. Thank you again, Knip. By the way I hope you are having a happy Easter!👍
Those symptoms sound very similar to mine when I started with carpal tunnel syndrome, the pain can be quite intense. Maybe tonight experiment by dangling your arm, hang it over the edge of whatever you're sitting in & try to relax it, see if this gives some relief. If it does then it might be CTS. What this is doing is relieving pressure on the median nerve, situated just below your wrist, palm side, & so relieving symptoms. The numbness affected all but my little finger. Fortunately it was my left that was affected & I lie on the left side of the bed so dangling my arm over the edge of the mattress relieved it somewhat & allowed me some sleep.
It was diagnosed as CTS at my next Consultant appointment. I was well controlled at the time but nevertheless she knew what it was straight away though did a few tests, & a referral was made to a Neuro Surgeon. The pain travelled to my shoulder in the further month until I was seen. I was supplied with a Velcro hand splint to wear to help ease symptoms but if this & other normal non-surgical options don't help the op to release the ligament is an outpatient op, mine was only about 30 mins done under local anaesthetic. I had to remain in hospital for the rest of the day until I'd eaten & drunk something (soup, ham sandwich & a yogurt!). This was because I was very dizzy & then ill once I got back to my room but not due to the op, it was because they wheeled me in my bed backwards, & I don't travel backwards very well. Not only that we got stuck in the lift… it was a memorable day!
I don't have any evidence because I didn’t have fewer symptoms during the day, the numbness continued in my hand/fingers all the time, but it might be at this stage being more active during the day you're moving your wrist more & so you're not experiencing permanent numbness just now? If I can liken it to a bit like a plug shorting, that you're having an intermittent connection, if that makes sense? As I say, that's only thoughts & possibly an odd analogy!
Definitely one to get looked at as it's not normally something that corrects itself, & the longer it's left I'm afraid the worse it gets. If it is CTS of course.
Thank you nomoreheels for your helpful reply. The underside of my wrist is swollen, which fits with the Carpal Tunnel suggestion from you and Charlie G. Once the Cocodamal kicks in it becomes more bearable, but I don't want to get hooked on it. The wrist brace is making a huge difference during the night which is a great blessing. I know I say it often, but this site is so helpful in that we can get first hand help from fellow sufferers. Take care and I hope you enjoy your Easter Monday...it is sunny down here in the south of England. God Bless, x
It was the first time I was prescribed higher dose co-codamol, for the symptoms of CT, & it forms part of my pain management still. I understand you not wishing to become hooked as you say but please don't let that limit your use for the relief it brings. It does sound so familiar, including the wrist brace helping, but hopefully you'll find out if it is sooner rather than later given the potential waiting time should an op be considered.
It's a sunny day here in the NW too, though not as clear as yesterday, yet. I live in hope as I’m planting up a new bed in the garden. It got a good soak last night, needed just now. I don't mind so much when it rains in the night! I hope you enjoy your Easter Monday too. 😊
Great advice and I am taking it out of necesity now! It's the only option at present! Enjoy your gardening. This weather is too good to waste. Remember your sun cream though. ❤️
Maybe you have pressure on a nerve in your neck…speak to your rheumy nurse..physio can help…but in some areas there is a really long wait.In the meantime make sure your neck is well supported when you sleep.I have had neck problems for years after surgery……& resort to a neck collar at times……but that needs to be professionally prescribed & fitted.
Hope it eases soon.
Thanks AgedCrone. I have a neck brace that was supplied to me years ago, that I use sometimes. For the most part the symptoms I have now are those I have had in the past with previous flares except for this latest one! Are you pleased with your new home? I hope your boxes are all emptied now. We still have one in our loft from the move we made here in 1979, labelled...'kitchen'...which ought really to be sent to a Charity Shop! We've managed without the contents for over forty years, so so apart from being curious as to the contents, we obviously aren't in desperate need of whatever is in it now! It's probably some bone china or crystal glassware that I was afraid the boys would break when they were younger! My niece is the manager of a Charity shop raising funds for a Childrens' hospice so, it can be opened and given to her. Well now, who'd have thought my comment re your recent home move would motivate me to sort that out! 😀
Sadly I’m still plodding on with the boxes….but I am enjoying living in the country…… especially with the recent sunny weather. However I came to the conclusion that working all hours to get straight was only bringing on flares….so I have slowed down…like you…I have two heavy old mirrors….still in their wrappings from when I moved in to my last house in 2006…..once someone at the tip hears lockdown is over I will take them to the charity shop there.
We still have to make appointments to visit….& I want to go when the car is full …not rush to meet a date!
I hope you hands & wrists settle down….I find in my right……dominant hand… I have very little strength in my thumb & forefinger…,even after surgery on the tendons…but not much pain……so not all bad.
Enjoy the sun whilst it lasts..I’m hoping this is the beginning of a lovely summer!🪷
Hi sounds very similar to myself and I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel just waiting to see when surgery to try and fix it
I was diagnosed with Tenosynovitis years ago , repetitive strain injury RSI happens if you over strain the tendons . . Yours could be similar or as the others have said on here it could be the Carpal tunnel . It will be one or the other depending which side of the arm it radiates .
Thank you rabbit65. It seems to fit the criteria of Carpal Tunnel. It is on the thumb side with only the little finger not being affected at present. My thumb has been turning inwards towards my palm over the last year or so and my whole hand is starting to turning outwards from the wrist down, but I don't think that is connected to this pain! Take care, and thank you for your reply. I hope you are having the lovely sunshine that we are here in the SE of England. xx
Suggest you research De Quervain’s Syndrome. I had excruciating pain emanating from tendon sheath at base of thumb on back of left hand to elbow and had successful simultaneous surgeries for DQS and Carpal Tunnel some years ago.
I have a hunch that on my medical record it records De Quervain’s Disease!
I’m not a professional but it does sound like carpel Tunnel I had this in both wrist and I know it’s painful I got operation on both wrists One at a time 14 years ago and I haven’t looked back I wish you well
Me. It was carpal tunnel syndrome in both. I refused the op though and glad I did because the biologic I take stopped it. No longer get it even though the biologic hasn't helped much else. Terrible pain waking me up at night. Hope to never get it again.
Please can you tell me the biologic you take? I have had a problem with my left hand/arm. My right hand keeps seizing up from the little finger to the middle finger, the Consultant I saw said he thought it was Cubital tunnel syndrome and sent me to a neurologist for nerve conduction tests. He said it wasn't Cubital tunnel but he didn't know what it was and said I should see another neurologist and if it wasn't sorted within six months, to go back to him but the original Consultant changed his mind and now says it is Carpel tunnel syndrome. I have refused the injections and operation as I am severely needle phobic, so he has discharged me,although he did say I could ask my GP to refer me back if I change my mind about the surgery. I can't see the point of doing Carpal tunnel release anyway, even if I wasn't so needle phobic, as my problem is not the same fingers as Carpal tunnel, mine, as I said, is little finger to middle. At night and also when I am typing etc. my hand goes numb and I get pins and needles. I seem to have just been written off.
Yes, I take Cimzia and it has worked wonders on my arms, wrists and shoulders but not as good on my lower back. I had the nerve conduction tests to confirm carpal tunnel both sides but was wary of the op as had seen friend go through it. Am changing biologic now but am worried new one will not be as good as carpal tunnel stopped me getting any proper sleep before. Hope you get it sorted.
Thank you. Cimzia would not be an option for me as I am severely needle phobic. I am glad it helped you though xx
Oh what a shame as that rules out a number of biologics for you.
Just to let you know, when I had the CT release op I was shielded by the business end & didn’t even know when they'd given me the local (there was the surgeon & nurse). Had I been needle phobic I would have been really pleased with it. Of course it can depend on technique. I had to have it done though because the pain had travelled to my shoulder & was seriously impeding daily (& nightly) life. I just wanted to assure you that you wouldn’t necessarily be aware. I wouldn’t settle for being written off if it's causing you problems, please do ask your GP to refer you again. As you clearly have something impeding a nerve the neuro surgeon will sort out what it is causing it & operate to relieve the problem accordingly.
Thank you, the neurologist told me that although I had mild carpel tunnel syndrome - not causing me any symptoms at all yet - but he knew that it wasn't the carpel tunnel which was causing my hand to keep seizing which is the thing that keeps bothering me most. It's the wrong fingers which are affected for it to be Carpel Tunnel. I don't really want to be refered back to the Consultant, I didn't feel he was that interested when he found I didn't want needles. It is actually a fear of someone coming at me with a needle that terrifies me. It stems back to when I was around 4-5, I am nearly 70 now. I split my chin open and ended up at the local childrens hospital. I wanted my mum to come in with me but they wouldn't let her. I was screaming and wriggling and they kept smacking me, the more they smacked me, the more I wriggled and screamed. It ended up with a nurse at each corner pinning my legs and arms down and one holding my hear. A nurse, like you see in the Carry On films kept coming at me with a huge syringe like a big icing tube. They had to put stitches in the split too. I was terrified and it has never left me.
It's little wonder you're needle phobic. I suppose it was considered acceptable back then, imagine doing the same now, well, it just wouldn’t happen. As it was I wasn’t able to see when I was injected because of a sheet a little over feet high dividing us.
I hope the carpal tunnel remains mild & you find some way of managing the hand seizing.
Thank you. xx
Wobbies, can you reply to Windyspins the wind as below regarding which Biologic you have. Thanks, Knip.
Thank you xx
That's interesting Wobbies. I can fully understand why you want to veer clear of it in future. 🙂
I get a lot of hand and arm to shoulder pain. I do get moments at the base of the thumbs little nodules come up which then causes carpal tunnel issues then when hands calm it goes away. However I also get separately tingling from wrists to elbows and this can be when I have used my hands too much and lifted things as well or driving. Like you it kicks in much worse at night too. I also have fibro with my RA and find if RA kicks off the fibro tends to as well so its a double whammy.Cocodamol is my to go too and a TENS machine and a warm shower or bath depending on if I can lower myself due to arms playing up!
Thank you Deeb. Nerve pain is the absolute pits isn't it! Sciatica and Neuralgia are similar in intensity. At least with Codamol is helping for a few hours but I have painful spells before I can take any more. I'm thinking of taking half a tablet every three hours instead a whole tablet every six, at least I'd have some left in my system then. My wrist brace is helping a great deal during the night. Take care, God Bless, Kxx
Thanks Ajay, I'll bear that in mind. 👍
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