severe hand pain on left side

[julesster22]

I have had pain travel in all parts o my body, the last two have been the radial nerve in my left shin, and now I have severe pain in my hand. It involves my first two fingers and thumb. It seems it is mirroring Carpal Tunnel but only in left hand. I am right hand dominant. Sometimes the pain is so severe it wakes me up, havent had good sleep in a while. I get on the couch and hold my hand to my heart and it seems to ease off. Not sure what i happening to me. Got a appt in Oct for hand specialist.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Carpal tunnel syndrome - it is frequently unilateral

[julesster22 in reply to PMRpro]

would u increase steroid for pain? I can’t sleep but hrs at a time

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to julesster22]

Not without asking a doctor really - if it were definitely the PMR it would be different. But since it is the weekend - maybe try a bit more and see if it helps because that would suggest it is inflammation rather than something else.

October is a long time - if the pain is really very severe then maybe a trip to the ED/A&E might be justified. They would probably x-ray it to be sure it wasn't something else.

[julesster22 in reply to PMRpro]

X-ray neck for pinched nerve….not there

[HennieB]

Greetings all to this very helpful forum. I have had PMR for 2.5 yrs. developed sudden bilateral wrist pain suddenly one morning. Reumi is young and said its not related to PMR. The same Dr before stormed out of the room and said "You dont need me" when I printed a go slow method from this site. So went to ortho who sent me for an EMG test. EMG Dr is out of network but the best around. He explained everything during the test. Ruled out the neck, shoulder and elbow as source of dual sudden wrist pain. He said "you have PMR correct" Yes my response. He said " 15-20% of the PMR patients coming here have wrist pain. Because it came on for no reason in one day I can call it Carpal Tunnel but it really isnt. I bet the symptoms will subside as soon as your PMR retreats. No one could operate on it now anyways bc of PMR inflammation" So my ortho, PCP and EMG Dr all agreed it was brought on by PMR". Ruemi backed off saying it was unrelated.

Update: one day months later I woke with sudden screaming pain in BOTH hands: wrist, hand and fingers. Luckily had appt already scheduled with my primary for a routine physical. Told him overall I was fine except I had to bath my hands in ice for the last two days. He was the Dr who originally Dx me w PMR. He bumped my 2.5 mg to 50mg for 5 days only. The first day on 50 both hands were completely fine. Took 25 mg the second day, 5 mg the third day and then back to to my 2.5 which is I guess my proper dose for now. 4 Drs and a resolution of some real pain in my wrists. Good luck and thanks for this forum without which I would have been lost👍

[julesster22 in reply to HennieB]

thank you this pain is unbearable

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to julesster22]

Have you tried a wrist support?

[julesster22 in reply to PMRpro]

wrist support, massage, creams, ice, heat etc etc

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to julesster22]

As I say - A&E is an option if it is that bad.

[HennieB in reply to julesster22]

Oh I forgot to add I saw a hand specialist also.