2 years in and still dont know if its RH

[Dragon1988]

Over 2 years ago started having pain in my little finger did put a post on at the time. The finger joint does not move now after 2 years seized, the tip of my finger is colder now then the rest of my hand. Had a test done for RH at the time which my GP said was positive because I wanted it to to be comfirmed I went private with a rheumatologist who also said it was Rh. But then had a second blood test done and visted another rheumatologist which they then said it was not RH. Since then have been going to the hand clinic in the hospital to try and free the joint on the little finger. Went to them on a number of occasions but in the end it just caused more pain and was not working so we agreed to just stop, so stopped going 12 months ago. Over the last 12 months have pain, pins and needles in my hands at night which wakes me up with pain the joints click and get stuck and gives me pain when gripping, have lost grip in my hands they go purple in the cold which I have tried to ignore and carry on. Just tried to live with it. My one ankle swells each day but by the morning its gone back to normal its gives me pain in the evening. (May be caused by blood pressure tablets but would have thought it would effect both ankles) If I dont wear anything on my feet have pain in my toes on my right foot. Should really go back to my GP. Are these symptoms RH related or just getting older 58 now?

[cyberbarn]

You have a lot going on there, and blood tests can come back normal even if you have rheumatoid, psoriatic or osteoarthritis. So you should go back to your GP, especially if the symptoms or signs are getting worse or new ones have appeared. Don't let people say it is because you are getting old. People get old because their medical problems aren't being addressed!

[Garnacha]

The symptoms in your hands sound very similar to mine, I was referred to hand therapy last week & the occupational therapist said I have trigger finger in my middle finger which the same as you is painful & clicks, & carpal tunnel syndrome & cubitol tunnel syndrome. She's given me a finger splint & wrist splints to see if they help although I looked up cubitol tunnel syndrome which suggests elbow splints, guess I can't have them at the minute if needed or it'd be impossible to sleep 😅

I've been getting pins & needles & pain in both my hands & wrists since October, always at night & easing through the day but, they've been getting worse & painful in the day too now, struggling to unscrew lids, squeeze bottles etc.

I've got psoriatic arthritis & asked if this was the cause, the therapist said that it's usually caused by compression which could be from inflammation, so who knows 🤷

Perhaps you should try your gp again or if possible go back to the private rheumatologist.

Good luck 😘

[Wantplaytennis]

Hello Dragon.re your tingling and pins and needles in your hand and fingers,it sounds alot like carpal tunnel similar symptoms of which I also have.If not already been suggested,i would say it certainly needs to be investigated as a candidate.

Good luck.

[Dragon1988]

Thank you all for your comments I will make an appointment with my GP. Some one I know has suggested trying Glucosamine 400mg does any else use this. zipvit.co.uk/glucosamine-40...

[Hidden in reply to Dragon1988]

Hi Dragon1988.

I don't have RA but do have OA with trigger/locked fingers, broken bone bits in a thumb and rheumatism in both hands that I treat with 2x750mg glucosamine HCL (hydrochloride, not sulfate) and 2x250mg of shark chondroitin which =1500mg glucosamine HCL & 500mg chondroitin per day. Always take with food.

I accidentally used glucosamine sulfate awhile back and after two weeks the pain in my hands was excruciating.

P.S. One of my grandfathers who died in his 97th year said he didn't start getting old until he hit 90yrs when he lost the taste for food, alcohol & women (dinkum). Sight and hearing wasn't much good, either.

So, my point is: people who feel crook before 90years have a reason for it, don't be dismissed with the age excuse.

Not to say that illness doesn't age us before our time. -I've experienced that.

Hope you find a solution/s for your problems, no one deserves to live that way.

[medway-lady]

My first sign of RA was in my fingers which seemed to lock and my GP tested me and it came back positive so no doubt about that and I also then had pain in my toes, you might look up Morton's Nureoma and that is a condition that can be treated and lined to RA. I'd advise you not to ignore symptoms and go to GP as RA is symptomatic so affects everyone differently so its my right hand, and left foot. Only really notable now because of medication induced remission. RA is very treatable and if left could do real harm so please try not to worry but get seen, and take it from there.

[Dragon1988 in reply to medway-lady]

I had mortons neuroma a few years ago ended up having steriod injections which fixed that.

[medway-lady in reply to Dragon1988]

Steroid injection only last for a few months its not a permanent solution.Mine was removed by surgery and yet even then the stubborn perisher regrew so was removed again. I've had steroid injections but it's only a short term fix and puts off the surgery.

[AgedCrone]

Ask your GP if nerve conduction tests might help decide why you get the pins & needles in your hands …you may have some trapped nerves .