Hand pain

[jillianb]

Does anybody else get hand and wrist pain been on preds for almost 3years down to 4mg at the moments ,doc thinks this is nothing to do with PMR does anyone think the preds could have caused this ?

[Zampalion]

I have had Pmr 2.5. Years got to 5mgs started to have pains in both hands I think I have rhumatisim in joints upped my pred to7 mgs helps pain, having my 1st appointment after all this time 28th June

Zampalion.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Jillian,

I do have some pain in wrists, but nothing significant, I have OA in shoulder, knee and back so put it down that - as well as Anno Domini!

Plus you must remember that as you reduce your Pred, the normal aches and pains of life which had previously been masked by higher doses return to haunt you!

[alice1940 in reply to DorsetLady]

So true Dorset Lady !

[joy-bells]

I have had pmr now for two years. I am currantly down to 2 1/2 to 3mgs and feel the pmr is almost gone. I had really bad pains in my hands for some time when first diagnosed. I think the pmr worked its way through my body. I haven't had sore hands now for quite some time. My sore hands were definitely from the pmr as I don't have any Arthritis in my joints. I still have some soreness in my shoulders when I first wake up in the morning.

All the best.

[Runrig01]

I have had pains in my hands a few times when I flare. My rheumatologist who researches pmr and GCA, says MRI scans have proven that pmr can affect the hands, usually I find a small increase if 1mg can get rid of the pain and stiffness in the hands. I I itally thought I was developing rheumatoid arthritis. Hope this helps 😃

[elainecleary]

The pains in my hands and wrists have been with me for about three years now. I was diagnosed with PMR last June and although the preds have brought the level of pains in my hands and wrists down, the pains never really go away. As all my other pains are kept well in check, my doctor says that my hands are probably arthritis on top of PMR.

[Buenavista]

Hi Jillianb,

Re hands

I've had PMR for 4 1/2 years now and I'm down to 3.5mg of pred. From day one I have problems with stiff aching hands. I've one carpal tunnel operation 5 trigger fingers operated on. I've had x-rays and there is no rheumatism. One surgeon said that the pain in my is not related the ops on my trigger fingers. They are now all okay. So the point is, it only leaves 2 things, old age, a very fit and soon to be 65 year old in June or it's down to PMR.

I work 10 hour days, doing plastering, brick laying, tiling etc. So at 6.15am, I dunk my hands into very hot water for 5 mins, then they are loosened up for the day. The heat here in Spain might or might not help, but the hot water does, TRY IT.

Best regards

Buenavista

[pmrdec112014]

Yep I have recently had really bad pains in my forearms and hands and related it to reducing pred from 8 and half to 8. They seem ok at mo and I do not have any arthritis and only 52.

[Chespoll]

Hi

I'm new to this, was diagnosed with PMR April 2016. Prior to diagnosis and starting on the preds I had pain and stiffness in shoulders, neck, legs from above my knees and both arms and hands.

The pain in my hands was intense and focused on the middle two fingers. It kept me awake at night and during the day the most simple asks became an absolute nightmare, and on top of that I could not raise my arms more thatn about 1/3rd of the way to shoulder level.

It was the pain in my hands and arms that got me to make an appointment with a Doctor!

When I started on the Preds at 30mgs the pain in my hands and arms went along with the shoulder neck and leg pains.

So although I am not a medical professional, and am new to PMR, for me the pain and stiffness in my hands has been because of the PMR.

Keep fighting!

Chris

[oregonjohn in reply to Chespoll]

Similar story - started at 30mg 2 years ago, when I reached 5 mg got some hand and wrist aches, stayed at 5 mg for a month/six weeks and the aches reduced so started to reduce (slowly) again and at 2.5 mg had the same symptoms return, so am sticking at this dose to see if things settle down again. Withdraw and 'flare' symptoms are different for all of us and it's something we have to be aware off as we reduce. It's not a race to get to zero in the quickest possible time but to contain the symptoms of the underlying 'problem' until it goes into remission in it’s own sweet time.

[Reneej]

I've had PMR since March 2015. I'm down to 4 mg of pred and so far fo good! I have pain in my hands and wrists, but certainly tolerable, especially compared to the PMR pain I've had! My rheumy said an old fashioned soak in hot water and Epsom salts in the morning could help. It does! Try it!

[SusanEleven]

I was diagnosed with PMR 4 months ago. The initial dose of pred made all PMR aches and pains go away, as well as lower back pain and osteoarthritis pains in my hands. When my rheum doc's too-fast taper caused a flare of my original PMR pains, I got "bonus" wrist and knee pains for the first time. Increasing pred settled the PMR aches. My knees are fine. But my wrists still get achy from rainy days, lots of computer time or gardening. I don't know what that signifies but one low-dose ibuprofen tablet makes it go away.