I had pain all over the weekend in my left hand, through my wrist and up into the palm of my hand, ending up with my hand almost seizing up, yesterday the pain had gone but today the pain is back but in my right hand. Could this be PMR related I am still unsure when it says pain is bilateral does this mean pain will be on both sides at the same time.
Currently on hold at 15mg pred as they can't get it lower without pain in my legs and back. I am waiting on my first rheumatologist appointment when I hope to find out a bit more about the pains I get.
Written by
jaybee58
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Yes my hands are swollen, the pain is when I move my hands or try to pick things up and it shoots up through the centre of my wrist into my palm, I can't flatten my hand out without pain. My fingers are tingling and numb as well. The veins in the backs of my hands are quite bulbous and visible and also on the insides of my wrist.
Worth asking the doctor if it is carpal tunnel syndrome, as SJane suggests. It is sometimes part of PMR and improved at higher doses of pred but reappears as you reduce. If it is, you might find a wrist brace helps.
It could be carpal tunnel syndrome, I have seen PMR sufferers talk about this happening. Cramp can be a sign of magnesium deficiency or even dehydration. I hope your appointment is a good one, your symptoms sound horrible.
Tendonitis perhaps? I had it in one hand. Started about a month before PMR. Really sharp pain initially as though something had snapped. Then had shooting pain with other symptoms very similar to as you describe, (though mine was top of hand and wrist rather than underneath).
Not sure if this helps but I had carpal tunnel about twelve years ago. Both hands although I suspect one about a year before other (can’t remember). I had the op on one hand and the other cleared up by itself. I was told this is often seen but the consultant didn’t know why.
Yep I get pain in the wrists and hands, it comes and goes, currently visiting! Saw the rheumatologist yesterday and mentioned it, he was non commital. He is thinking that polymyalgia is more to blame for my pain and has organised blood tests and ultrasound scans. He thinks I might have to go cokd turkey on the pred to confirm if it’s PMR! We’re only 6 years in and now this new rheumatologist is looking at a different diagnosis.
My wrist pain comes for a few days then goes away for a while. Last week it was my left wrist this week its my right and has been very painful. If you don't want to wear a wrist brace I find a tight fitting tubular bandage on the wrist helps.
As I was reducing my Pred around 6 mg I got pain in my right wrist, Ulnar wrist pain (pain on the pinkie side of the wrist), it felt like tendonitis. I kind of ignored it until the top of my hand swelled up and increased Pred didn't work. The only treatment that resolved it was a Cortisone shot and I haven't had any issues for about a year. I also had left foot pain (on top by the ankle where the tendon is) and it was swollen and very painful. Again, the only treatment that worked was the Cortisone shot and have had no issues since then. Now, my left wrist and right foot is kind of bothering me but it's only a shadow of the pain I had in the other extremities so I'm keeping an eye on them. I don't have Osteoarthritis. I find that sometimes, if it's not overdone, Cortisone shots are very helpful. Why live with the pain? That is if it's not carpal tunnel. Good luck if hope you feel better.
Thank you for your replies. I have spoken to my doctors today and they have advised me to go back up to 20mg for a couple of weeks to get my pain under control then to start reducing down again.
6 months down the line and I am back where I started, feeling a bit fed up tonight.
Over 5 years with PMR. Had unrelated shoulder surgery (1 year ago), I began to have pain in my forearm. This gradually moved down to my elbow. Then down to my wrist and hand with swelling. Iced day & night. Shoulder/hand surgeon diagnosed as needing Ulnar nerve transposition and I had this surgery (which I probably didn't need). Got a 2nd opinion after MRI's - diagnosed as some type of autoimmune. Then saw my Rheumy - he immediately diagnosed as Calcium Pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) arthritis. Also known as pseudogout. Back on prednisone and after 3 days the pain was gone but some swelling still exists.
Taken first dose of 20mg today and the pain has gone. Dr said to stay on 20mg for a while to give things time to settle down and then start reducing again, how long would be a reasonable time to stay on the 20mg to let things settle?
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Pain in wrists and thumbs.
painful wrists and Fingers 
update on my wrist pain. 
Painful wrists and forearms 
Losing strength in hands and wrists.
