What is happening to my hands?

[4eversick]

Hi everyone. I’m Caroline and I’m 25. Nice to meet you all. I’ve always known my hands were strange. People used to make fun of them because they’ve always looked “old” I . I have raynauds,Sjögren’s positive ANA and little to no strength. But as of recent my hands have been going insane. Swelling, tightening, can’t open them all the way, ulcers on my hands. And now I can see my tendons and veins So clearly. My skin is shiny and my finger skin is THICK. I can barely move it around. This morning I flexed my pointer finger and my tendon jumped or moved over something? It was terrifying. Any help or comments are welcomed and appreciated. I’m so worried

[Deby177]

Not magic answer. My hands look exactly like your I have Raynaud's and mixed connective tissue disease.My fingers lock and swell sausage like can't even wear my good wedding rings. Have iloprost infusion about 6 weeks ago see no change at all. I used hand creams daily my finger beds are swollen and nails are full of ridges and leaving bed disgusting looking x

[MoominMomma]

Hi, you’ve just described my hands with the shiny skin & fat fingers etc. My drs diagnosed lupus & scleroderma. My fingers felt like the skin was too small as I couldn’t bend them as the skin was too tight. I too have raynauds. Touch wood, with the current medication, the swelling is under control. Hope you get some answers & relief soon. X

[kimbalina]

I suffer as well. I suffer infections and ulcers. Fortunately I have been free of dramatic incidents lately just general pain dry tight skin and finger joints. I was offered Botox injections in my hands at one stage and the plastic surgeon I discussed it with advised me that they have had a lot of success treating your type of hand problems with Botox.

Ask your Dr/Consultant to refer you to a plastic surgeon to discuss suitability. Top tip. Good luck x

[kimbalina]

Oh and also I use glyceryl trinitrate patches on my hands to stimulate circulation to the fingers. These patches are used to treat angina usually. They open arteries !!!

[Hidden]

My son’s hands looked liked this when he was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease at the age of 10. After a few years of lots of medication we changed his diet dramatically and it really helped. He is now symptom free and off all of his meds. He is 17 now. He followed the Autoimmune Protocol Diet quite strictly for some time. He is less strict now but we still have to be careful. It might be worth looking into while you are waiting for referrals/ diagnosis.

[JessicaEccles6]

Your hands look exactly like mine, it actually gave me a bit of a shock! I used to have beautiful hands and really mourn them.