Advice for hand pain

[Callymac]

For the last week I’ve had pain at the base of my left thumb. It’s similar on my right hand but not nearly as sore. It has got worse as the week has gone on. I’m not sure if it’s PMR related or maybe possibly carpal tunnel syndrome. Getting a Doctors appointment at our surgery can take 2weeks so I’m wondering if upping my dose of steroids from 4.5 to maybe 9.5 for a week or two might help. Any advice gratefully received as always.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I assume you have requested an appointment in the meantime?

Does CTS cause pain at the base of the thumb? I expect tingling and numbness in the thumb to middle finger, Aches at the base I associate more with arthritis or PMR. If you aren't sure this is a flare of the PMR with more general symptoms as well, I'm not sure I would raise the pred that much at present. Have you tried paracetamol?

[Callymac in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks as always PMRpro. I’ll contact Surgery in the morning and request an appointment. Meantime will continue with paracetamol and brief cold compresses which seem to be helping. 🤞

[nuigini]

I have occasional arthritic pain at the base of both thumbs, the one on the dominant hand is worse than the other. Apparently its quite common as we age. Wearing a thumb support for arthritis for a few days seems to settle things down. I wear it at night as well as during the day.

[Callymac in reply to nuigini]

Thanks for this advice nuigini.

[kalimche]

I had a pain in my left thumb: the pain was mainly in the base of my thumb, especially inner wrist area, and then extended up the side of my arm. I thought about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - but it seems that pain is more centred in the centre of your wrist and radiates up the centre of your hand extending to up your thumb and fingers (except the little finger). A physio diagnosed De Quervain's syndrome - there is a movement you make with your hand called the Finkelstein's test which made me jump up the wall! I wore a thumb brace for a while and it has improved. You should be able to google the above for more info if it sounds like your pain.

[Callymac in reply to kalimche]

Thanks kalimche. Had never heard of de quervains syndrome. Good info.

[Sufferinginsilence]

I have been suffering from pain at the base of both thumbs and a swollen and sore right wrist (dominant hand). Last time I saw rheumy which was some time ago (well overdue another appointment but no sign yet), he scanned my wrist and said it was synovial tendonitis which he often sees connected to PMR? The discomfort goes right up into my elbow on a bad day. I wear a wrist brace and thumb splints - they do help.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sufferinginsilence]

I developed that in spring last year. Gripping anything was horrendous. Since I've been on Actemra it has just about gone. The physio did some work on it that helped a lot.