Prednisolone and Carpal Tunnel

Been on prednisolone since January and now have carpal tunnel in both wrists. Are the steroids the cause? Anyone else experienced this? thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If anything it is likely that the carpal tunnel is improved by the pred. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often found in PMR patients.

[Chrob in reply to PMRpro]

My Carpel came before pred and yes it’s helped .

[Hildalew in reply to PMRpro]

Would you advise Bustercats to ask his/her GP/rheumy about increasing the Pred dose?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hildalew]

I'd suggest better investigation of the carpal tunnel symptoms - possibly a bit more pred but that may not be the best answer.

[Xhosa]

Yes. I am experiencing it now.. on Pred since October, starting 20, now on 7.5mg and since a few weeks I have carpal tunnel on my left wrist and similar pain in left Achilles heel. Too much of a coincidence. Must be related! My Rheumatologist wants me to wait and see in a few weeks before going back to 10mg. Very painful!

[piglette]

I had carpal tunnel in my left hand before I was diagnosed with PMR. As soon as I started taking pred, it went away.

[katiemills in reply to piglette]

Me too.

[OutdoorsyGal]

I had carpal and/or ulnar (elbow) tunnel symptoms in the months AFTER ending a prednisone taper. Tingling, numbness, and tender spots on both wrists and both elbows. Never had these symptoms before the PMR/prednisone.

A couple months later, my wrists are still sore, but almost no tingling and numbness.

Writing is a pain. So is propping myself up with my palm, as when getting out of bed, or up off the floor. To flex my wrists either direction is painful, but in “neutral position” I’m fine.

Not sure WHAT is going on.

[Hidden in reply to OutdoorsyGal]

Very similar problems to what I have. Have you had the tests for carpal tunnel at the hospital? Best treatment I have found for pain is 20 minutes on each side with a hot water bottle.

[OutdoorsyGal]

I’ve not been tested.

Based on which fingers were numb on the day of my annual physical, my internist said it wasn’t carpal tunnel. Maybe ulnar. But of course, the next day the OTHER fingers were tingling! And now little to no tingling, just limited range of motion and weakness of my grasp.

I’m losing my grip!

[Hidden in reply to OutdoorsyGal]

My doctor was unsure so made a hospital appointment with carpal tunnel nurse. They do an electrical test which is not painful which tells you whether or not it is carpal tunnel. In my case it was in both, mild in one and moderate in the other. May be worth asking for a referral.

[OutdoorsyGal]

BTW, my wrists LOVED the hot tub, and doing isometrics in the hot water was delicious.

But alas, the spa is drained for the summer months.

[whitefishbay]

No. It should help.

[Sallyaches]

When my PMR was at its worst I had nerve conductivity tests and diagnosed with carpel tunnel. My referral for surgery got lost in the system and by the time it was chased up my symptoms were a lot better as was my PMR. I decided to avoid the surgery as I don’t feel it is a major problem now. For me the carpel tunnel was at its worst when I didn’t have the PMR under control. I am optimistic it may at some point totally disappear.

[Hidden in reply to Sallyaches]

Thanks for that. My tests showed mild on one hand and moderate on the other so I hope to avoid surgery being a wimp. I find a hot water bottle on each side for 20 minutes takes the pain away .

[Hidden in reply to Sallyaches]

I am still waiting for hand surgery from 1972. I was 11 and got to the phone box twice to see if I could be admitted. No beds, so was promised the first available bed. It's a good job I love my painless wonky fingernail now and it wouldn't be me without it.

On surgery...I think I would be waiting until I wanted them to chop it off for pain to go. Probably not a good strategy but I stand by it. Especially in a MRSA world.