RA Flare

[sabrejan]

morning I have had to speak to 111 twice this week early hours. Rolling around in agony started in pain on inside of both wrists. Nerve pain horrendous in left wrist then in palm of hand, left hand numb and can’t bend fingers and pins and needles. Nothing shown in my bloods yet in agony. What can I do if nothing shows up yet it’s definitely a massive flare.

[Runrig01]

sounds more like an irritated nerve, often caused by pressure as nerve exits the vertebrae in the neck. Have you tried taking a regular anti inflammatory?

I have similar pains, numbness and pins & needles in my hand. Mine is caused by a slipped disc at C6-7, which has calcified and presses against the outer layer of the spinal cord. I find a supportive memory foam neck pillow helps.

[sabrejan in reply to Runrig01]

Hi thank you for your reply. It’s in both hands and wrists and knees also starting to swell. I’m on biologics kevzara. Naproxen zap pain and muscle relaxant at bed time. Nothing helping at the moment. Flu like symptoms too.

[sylvi]

My bloods don't show ra flare in them and never have.xxxx

[sabrejan in reply to sylvi]

What do they do for you if it doesn’t show in ur bloods. They are not helping me as they only help me if it shows up in my bloods. It’s defo RA flare but they are saying it’s not cause no proof showing in bloods. I’m in so much agony crying last night screaming in pain wishing I was dead for the pain to stop.

[clod in reply to sabrejan]

See if you can be given tramadol with paracetamol low dose.That works for a flare better than corticouds

[sabrejan in reply to clod]

Just had steroid injection thank you for your message

[clod in reply to sabrejan]

Well you can have one once a year.But better to step away from them.I have RA since i am 40 now 70 cant have any more biologicals since i devolped cancer in 2013 and since then i am on 4 mg of prednisone have osteoporosis lung fibrosis and sjogrens syndrom i have tried everything you can imagine now its going to be 8 years that i have flare now and then but i manage with my ice pads and my heater.i dont believe in doctors any more they have ruined my health.i do therapytwice a week take vit d and c and my pred not more i have become my own Dr.Not much more to say other than wish you feel better soon and remember that the cure does not come from out side its inside us.

[Brushwork in reply to sylvi]

I’m the same, flares don’t show in bloods.

[sabrejan in reply to Brushwork]

Had steroid injection the biologic I’m on does not show flares in bloods apparently.

[Spanelmad]

It sounds more spinal than just RA ,you may have a prolapse disc pressing on nerves.

[sabrejan in reply to Spanelmad]

Oh I just don’t know it’s my wrist and both hands that’s so painful. Naproxen eases it for a bit and hear. But the numbness is worrying me.

[Madmusiclover]

poor you. Don’t take no for an answer.

[sabrejan in reply to Madmusiclover]

Thank you I will try my best to get answers.

[zen4]

Maybe push for scans It sounds like nerves are involved but you do say both wrists which makes it seem more like an RA flare It could be carpal tunnel syndromet.If your RA team is not that helpful ask for a 2nd opinion meanwhile your GP could get xrays as it might take time for a 2nd ooinion unless you consults privately What has the 111 team said??

[sabrejan in reply to zen4]

Hi 111 arranged for me to have my bloods redone which showed nothing. They wanted dr to examine me which they didn’t. Dr just told me to contact rheumatology. I will ask for a scan and X-ray and see what they say. Thank you for helping.

[getinHealtea]

Hi, Sabrejan. I’m sorry that you’re having such a torrid time. It’s awful to get flares like this. I found that a course of Prednisolone helped tremendously for pain. What meds are you on for RA?

[sabrejan in reply to getinHealtea]

Hi thank you for your kind words. I’m on biologics kevzara. Naxpeoxwn zap pain and amitrypoline.

[getinHealtea in reply to sabrejan]

Ok, that’s good. In my experience I’ve found that Naproxen is ineffective for my pain. Maybe speak to your consultant & trial other pain relief. I hope you find something that works for you & improves comfort.

[sabrejan in reply to getinHealtea]

Thank you I will ask for something that helps with the pain.

[zen4]

I think you'll find that GPs can only request xrays and maybe ultrasound but not mris That would need to be rheumatologist I had a run around before with this when I urgently needed an mri scan Neutological hospital that I urgently needed pushed back the referral as there was no mri scan but GP couldn't do it so I had to write an email to my RA consultant to get one done and then ask for it to be transferred

[sabrejan in reply to zen4]

oh ok thank you for all this advice really helpful so kind of you.

[99Michelle]

I’m sorry you’re in such pain. My flares never show up in my bloods but my consultant, in her words, treats the symptoms and patient, not solely the blood results. Keep pushing these things don’t always show in the bloods, mine never have from the day I was diagnosed. Good luck and I hope you’re feeling better soon.

[sabrejan in reply to 99Michelle]

Hi thank you just seen rheumatologist had a steroid injection . Apparently flares don’t show up in bloods on this biologic kevzara.

[Tonkie]

mine doesn’t show in my bloods either but they’ll happily give me steroids. Even the GP will give me them. If your rheumatology department is that restrictive I would definitely visit the GP… possibly get some codeine and prednisone to get you through whatever it is. Hope you feel better soon.

[sabrejan in reply to Tonkie]

Thank you just had steroid injection. Told on this biologic inflammation does not show up in bloods.

[Researchfreak]

hi sebrejan just wondering if you typed your message or have you had help. Wondering which nerves in hands /writs are being affected. Identifying these may help you to isolate them. I have different hand and wrist gloves which helps me take off pressure. Sorry if not too clear bad brain fog day.hope you get sorted

[sabrejan in reply to Researchfreak]

Daughter typing responses. Inside of both wrists touching the nerves. Had steroid injection and said I’m having bad flare. Thank you

[Researchfreak in reply to sabrejan]

I use gloves to immobilise my hands and wrist where possible because the slightest movement can cause excruciating pain the downside to that is your like a mummy. I hope you can get relief from your your meds. I must say i found prednisone a miracle cure for me. Hope you get relief soon.

[Wishlady]

Hello, I have stills and auto immune desease . I'm having a flare and have been told it don't always show up.in your bloods first and you may feel unwell first. I'm.being sent for a PET scan which looks at where the inflammation is collecting . I use heat pads for pain relief as I find nothing esle works.Hope this helps

Heather

[PloddingOn1]

I can sometimes have terrible flares in my wrists and nothing shows up in my bloods. My consultant normally arranges steroid injections, a course of three but I don’t have to have all three if I’m feeling better. I also get flu like symptoms during a flare. Ring your rheumatology department.

Hope you’re feeling better soon.

[StormySeas]

I don't know if it's any help but does you RA dept have a rheumy nurses help line? When I was at my wits end with pain like yours help-line nurses told me rheumatology had a morning clinic where you could just turn up if you needed to be seen. It's awful to be in such pain, and you really should be seen.

Hope you manage to get some help, or at least more pain relief. Fingers crossed for you

[Fullofheart]

Have you tried splints for your hands/ wrists? The ones used for carpal tunnel? That works for me when my wrists and hands are bad. Usually it's after I've used them more than usual. Last time was after I made a Christmas wreath. I was in agony for days. Especially at night. If I use them overnight, keeping them still and keeping them up above heart, the pain tends to settle through the night and into the next day. I usually use them for couple days and nights. No idea if that will work for you, but it has done for me. Alongside painkillers.Elevating my legs always helps a little when my knees are bad too.

[Mozart150]

Sorry to hear this. Have you got a rheumy nurse helpline -they should get you in urgently and see you F2F. Don’t be fobbed off. You know how much pain you’re in Good luck and healing wishes xxx

[oopsnoname]

Similar for me recently in left hand. GP gave me Amitryptyline tabs and diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome. I know that pain you're having so well, it was how my RA started. I really wish you the very best and hope you get relief from it soon. Tramadol work for me and Ibuprofen. For some reason, Naproxen don't work for me anymore.

[MissMinto]

I feel your pain - literally - as I’m going through the exact same thing with my wrists and hands. I don’t have any answers unfortunately so following to see other replies.

I’ve been assuming it’s ‘just’ carpal tunnel syndrome, but the pain is horrendous and really debilitating - you have my sympathy 💐

[ExAcc]

Carpel tunnel is a known complication of RA. I've had it in both wrists and won't show up in bloods you need to be referred for nerve tests by Rheumatology. It can then be identified and eventually surgery. Mine has been very successful. Good Luck.