Swollen fingers

[Musiclady18]

One year into my journey with PMR and down to 4 mg of Prednisone and lately I have noticed my fingers are both painful and feel very swollen?? Anyone else notice that ?? or had that happen, I also find more stiffness???

[PMRpro Ambassador]

To have got to 4mg in a year is excellent - but it may well be you have got to where you want to be: the lowest dose that manage the symptoms. Or even slightly past it! At what dose did this appear? Did you have hand problems before you got pred for PMR?

[Musiclady18 in reply to PMRpro]

Actually when I started with "PMR" a year ago, lots of pain and no movement from tip of fingers in left hand all the way up to neck, across and down to the right arm and tip of the right fingers. Swelling has just started in last week or so. So playing guitar is minimal at this time, in fact I even have dreams about seeing the dr. with my hand pain, as it does hurt during my sleep???

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Musiclady18]

Have you seen the doctor about this? Sounds quite strange.

[Musiclady18 in reply to PMRpro]

No but I did go for bloodwork the other day and see the rheumi in February so I am thinking that may tell her something???? I know my fingers are swollen as I cannot put my rings on, fortunate I took them off beforehand!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Musiclady18]

I haven't worn my rings for YEARS! Certainly early in PMR ...

[SheffieldJane]

Have you been playing the piano too much? Mind you, I imagine it’s good if your fingers are arthritic - that causes mine to puff up.

[9lives]

Hello musical lady

I have some swollen painful fingers, I’m 3 1/2 years in with PMR and down to 5mg prednisone. Had to go up from 2 1/2 mg this year.

Doctors say it’s osteo arthritis , not sure about spelling.

Started April this year.

You may not have this but worth getting it checked out x

I put ibuleve gel on it which helps

Good luck and hope things improve for you

Carole x

[nickm001]

I have the same issue, so you are not alone. For last two years every time I try to reduce below certain dose, it happens. Two years ago that level was 3mg. This year it happened at 1.5mg ( so it is improving ). Each time I had to increase dose ( add 5mg to where you are), it should go away in few weeks and then you can taper down. Rheumatologist trace that to synovitis in finger joints and confirmed it with ultrasound.

[remission]

Yes, my fingers started aching once I reduced frm 10 mg and every once and awhile,

epsecially even the evening it completely goes away, but back by morning, no idea why, but not going to increase the dosage, as not certain it will help

[RecentPMRdiag in reply to remission]

This mirrors my left arm/hand symptoms - no swelling, but substantial grip weakness and pains moving two small fingers and thumb. I can’t put any pressure through my left wrist during this time. This develops overnight and stays until late afternoon everyday for last 12 days (shortly after reduction to 15mg from 20)

I have been on Pred for 5 weeks for PMR and initial suspected GCA ( now less of a concern). The more conventional PMR symptoms (shoulders, buttocks & ham strings) are eased by Pred within 3-4 hours of morning dose, but left hand takes most of the day to ease.

I have also found that if I massage my left deltoid muscle hard it eases the pain, inc the weakness for 5-10 minutes - so it may be Ulna nerve issues in my shoulder.

The arm and shoulder pains are my main issue sleeping. During the day the issues are gripping, opening jars/meds/doors etc.