Trigger finger (and toes)

[Sally_Bones43]

i have for a long time had a tendency for my toes to cramp and ‘lock up’ and also very occasionally my fingers too. However recently, since my PMR diagnosis, this has become much more commom. It is uncomfortable but not painful in the fingers (painful in the toes). I usually have to use the other hand to ‘unlock’ the joint. Also I find that certain activities like typing and small manual tasks seem to make the muscles in my forearms and biceps feel like they are burning or irritated when at rest. It feels like the muscle sheath rather than the muscle.

Is this likely to be PMR related? I read that it is another inflammatory condition! I am seeing my GP next week and will raise it with him, but just looking for advice from the fundis! It is good to be forearmed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

More likely the Pred - it can deplete magnesium levels in some… so perhaps consider a supplement [although some do have an adverse affect on digestion] or a spray or gel as a first step. Obviously if that doesn’t help, you may need to seek medical advice.

From another member- The most laxative effect magnesium is magnesium citrate. The least laxative effect magnesium is magnesium glycinate

And maybe look at this -

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[Sally_Bones43 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks: makes sense. Will ask the Dr when I see him anyway.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had cramps with PMR even before pred but some people fond pred makes it worse since, as DL says, it can deplete magnesium in some people.

The muscle fascia can be inflamed in PMR, as well as the attachments at each end, and they are often irritated by over use when you have PMR.

[Sally_Bones43 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the advice. Am trying not to 'overuse' but also don't want to atrophe.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sally_Bones43]

Trouble is, overuse in PMR isn't very much! Have you mentioned it to the doctor? There are things that can help - it's a bit tending to tennis elbow when it affects around the elbow

[Charlie1boy]

Hi,

I found your post interesting, because I get cramp in my fingers and also big toes!

In my fingers it was long before I got pmr, and happens if I’m painting; also when bellringing, which I now no longer do. For my big toes, it really started while I was on pred, and continues now even though I’ve been at zero for a couple of years. My big toe comes up at an angle of 45 degrees, and I have to hold it down with the heel of my other foot. It only happens at night, and always wakes me up. Am currently trying magnesium spray which I think is helping a bit!

Very annoying!!😬

[sidra1968 in reply to Charlie1boy]

Kind of just started on me, but with bearable pain (not 100% of the time, and not at night solely)..annoying is right.

[random901]

Hi Sally_Bones43! Currently on 20mg pred and suffering from cramp mainly in arch of feet when I take feet off floor or (try) to kneel. Also at night in bed. Never had cramp before pred. Will try more regular use of magnesium ointment

[Pixix]

I had cramp in my toes, calves & other places long before I had PMR. Not everything is connected, I think! Wondering if my is hereditary, as nyDad had cramp badly through his life. He took quinine,which worked well, but I’m not sure you can but it OTC now. I take magnesium, which works most of the time!

[cranberryt]

I have had this as well although mine seem to stick in an extended state, not bent. With colitis magnesium is challenging to take! I will have to look for glycinate to see if I can tolerate that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cranberryt]

Have you tried footbaths with Epsom salts?

[cranberryt in reply to PMRpro]

I have not but do have some. Will try. Thanks!

[HeronNS]

I've taken magnesium (glycinate)supplement for a long time but started not long ago to have cramps in calf and toes again. A couple of long soaks in tub with Epsom salts seems to have sorted that. I think it's possible to get a magnesium supplement in spray form and avoid the pills altogether. There's a fair amount of the element in our food, notably leafy greens; magnesium is to chlorophyll what iron is to haemoglobin.

[Allotmental]

After a post on here a few months ago asking something similar, I started using Epsom salts in the bath which was one of the recommendations. It has significantly decreased the cramps.

Hope you find something that works for you 🙂

[archie7777]

Hi. I have had two episodes when my toes have been cramping and lifting up to the ceiling. Both times 20 to 30 mins earlier I had had a cup of green tea. (I don’t usually drink tea or coffee, however decided to try green tea.) Maybe caffeine?? I really don’t know if there is a connection between green tea and the movement in my toes. If I hadn’t witnessed my mum’ trigger finger, the sight of my toe making involuntary movements would really have spooked me and put my anxiety sky high.

[Raven1955]

Interesting comments/thoughts on this thread. I fight a couple trigger fingers on each hand. It isn't constant but at its worst getting the fingers to unlock can be quite painful. Once unlocked it gets slowly better. Will try the magnesium - thank you all!