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Swollen sore fingers?


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Warning - this is a paranoid post- I know I'm paranoid !

 

This week I noticed my fingers were sore, they are worse in the am but persist throughout the day. They are a bit swollen as well, they don't look crazy but my wedding ring has a hard time going over my finger but has been loose. I woke up last night with them hurting. A few weeks ago I noticed some knee pain as well, not all of the time but poses that I have been able to do in yoga without issue for years are suddenly hurting.

 

So- perhaps I'm paranoid, yes I'm paranoid. It took 3 yrs to be diagnosed with Hashimotos, I don't want to go through that again.

 

I'm paranoid about 2 things-

Rheumatoid arthritis- I already have 2 auto-immune diseases- the odds are not in my favor)- coincidentally this soreness also coincides with eating more nightshades which I had been avoiding as part of an auto-immune diet for the last year and I had heard often causes arthritis issues

 

slight paranoia about Lyme- I had a gnarly tick bite this Spring, it got stuck and imbedded a bit, no rash or anything though, I watched it like a hawk. Ticks are crazy common, I live surrounded by forests in the Mid-west so usually this doesn't register as an issue.

 

I have been feeling much better but to be honest not as great the last few weeks, I was not functioning half of the day yesterday :(. I don't know how much that is due to getting looser with my diet and sleep or anything else but I have this constant fear of going downhill again. 

 

Reading on RA evidently has a much better outcome when caught early but I feel paranoid going to the dr. at this point and knowing it is auto-immune and the chances of having multiple auto-immune diseases puts this on my radar.

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For me, it was RA.  Catch it early before the joint damage is done. ;)  I caught it early and have really decent control most of the time with meds (which are inexpensive and relatively safe).  RA was my 3rd autoimmune disease to show up. You know how it goes, you get one.....

 

On an encouraging note, you are just mentioning pain...not stiffness or loss of range of motion.

 

Go get some labs from a good rheumy....

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It took two years in my mom's case for the RA test to show positive from the onset of RA. Her rheumatologist did "preventive maintenance" treatment until the RA test turns positive.

Onset was late 50s for my mom. Bloodwork and X-rays of the joints were done.

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For me, it was RA.  Catch it early before the joint damage is done. ;)  I caught it early and have really decent control most of the time with meds (which are inexpensive and relatively safe).  RA was my 3rd autoimmune disease to show up. You know how it goes, you get one.....

 

On an encouraging note, you are just mentioning pain...not stiffness or loss of range of motion.

 

Go get some labs from a good rheumy....

 

 

Wait.  There is a way to prevent joint damage?

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I have joint pain and swelling plus stiffness and some obvious changes to the joints that have swollen before, all over my body but worst in my hands, knees and neck. I'm suspecting RA but my doctor is unconcerned and has just said arthritis and was happy to do nothing. I had an xray of my hands a month ago after I pushed him but I don't know the results and was told it was going to be 8 weeks for results from that xray. I feel like I need t see a rheumatologist but getting through my doctor is hard (I'm in the UK, they're the gate keepers). I think it's worth getting checked out if you have issues. I had to keep reminding myself that the pain and swelling wasn't normal as I was made to feel like I just wasting their time. 

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Scarlett--yes, there is a therapeutic early window in which one can feel the inflammation and attack on the joint linings and yet the joints do not yet have damage.

 

RA meds are not just about pain management; meds that focus on addressing the overall inflammation like methotrexate can indeed prevent joint damage in some arthritis cases caught early on.

 

It drives me crazy when people ignore/hide from the early signs since that is when meds can be particularly effective.

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My range of motion seems ok in my hands, although I noticed today that snapping is kind of hard because the tips of my middle fingers are the worst. My knees have a normal ROM but as I said certain moves that I have been able to do  are now quite working.

 

 

Range of motion makes me think of my neck, I've also been having neck pain since June, this started I thought from practicing some moves I wasn't ready for in yoga. I did PT for awhile and it got better but then it has been off/on,the PT said it was my synovial joints. My range of motion for awhile was very small but is almost 100% most of the time. It is weird I didn't look it up at the time but now I read that RA causes synovial joint issues. I get this feeling like my head is detached from my body when it first started it was fairly frequent but as of late it has been just here and there.

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Scarlett--yes, there is a therapeutic early window in which one can feel the inflammation and attack on the joint linings and yet the joints do not yet have damage.

 

RA meds are not just about pain management; meds that focus on addressing the overall inflammation like methotrexate can indeed prevent joint damage in some arthritis cases caught early on.

 

It drives me crazy when people ignore/hide from the early signs since that is when meds can be particularly effective.

 

 

Wow!  I had no idea.  I have been putting it off thinking nothing could be done.  Now I need to reevaluate that position.  ;/

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Yeah, it was a push from another specialist that got me to go in early. There is a lot of miseducation about RA.

 

Lailasmum, my goodness, throw a fit! There is a huge difference between RA and osteoarthritis. RA is an autoimmune condition that affects much more than joints. Medicines like methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine are so inexpensive and helpful. ($20 for 90 days here in the U.S. Without insurance.)

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Definitely push to get seen.  I have psoriatic arthritis, sort of RA's twin.  I really wish that I had pushed when it first started.  I now have permanent joint damage and the disease itself is more aggressive than it would have been had I gotten started on meds right away.  The meds aren't always a walk in the park, trust me, I question them daily, but I know they are helping in the long run.  Good luck.

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I want to call but I hate being the complainer. My fingers are still swelling at night, I've taken to keeping my ring off as it gets so tight. My knees still hurt, dh said it is just because I'm getting older but I don't understand why they were fine and great doing a great range of activities and then bam not. Now that I'm paying attention I notice that it isn't just certain yoga poses like lotus but crossing my legs certain ways and getting to the ground. I'm just off in other ways as well, not sure if that is a thyroid thing or what, very tired of it though.

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I agree to see a dr. I have Hashimotos and get joint pain in my knees and hands as part of that. I only get very mild swelling, but the joint pain will flare up for a couple weeks then subside again. Even when my thyroid numbers are looking good. Although, sometimes it's a sign for me to get my numbers checked as my meds may need adjustment. I've been tested multiple times for other autoimmune diseases. According to my rheumatologist, I have 'many markers' in my blood but no positive diagnosis of anything else. So, my 'official' diagnoses are Hashimotos and fibromyalgia. Hope you're feeling better soon.😊

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Wow!  I had no idea.  I have been putting it off thinking nothing could be done.  Now I need to reevaluate that position.  ;/

 

My dd was recently put on a med to prevent the development of lupus. She does not have a dx but she has some markers. It's used for RA, too. I'm not sure what it does for RA but it might be worth looking into. It's called Plaquenil.

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I was diagnosed with RA about 9 years ago.

 

Please go to a doctor.  In fact, you may want to get more than one opinion.

 

Yes, there are medications that can help reduce joint damage.  I didn't take them (for various reasons -- let me know if you want the reasons); now I have extensive joint damage in my hands and wrists.  I am considering getting a wrist replacement at some point in the future.

 

RA usually affects the small joints first.  And it can escalate quickly.

 

 

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This thread is making me nervous. For about a month or maybe more my hands have hurt. It's not uncommon in summer for my fingers and feet to swell and ache if it's hot and humid, but it hasn't been particularly either the past couple of weeks (more humid than normal for here but not terrible). My feet are mostly better but my hands...ugh. It feels like I've rubbed hot peppers all over them.

 

I'm thinking a trip to the doctor might be in order. I've gotten kind of used to it so it's hard to gauge how unusual it might be.

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It's good to get checked out.  A few years ago after my dc had Fifths Disease, I got it.  The main symptom for me was swollen, painful joints.  I also felt very run down.  When I researched it, I learned that it is a very common symptom for adults who get this illness.  Is it possible you have been exposed to this?  Hopefully you'll get some good info. soon!

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It's good to get checked out.  A few years ago after my dc had Fifths Disease, I got it.  The main symptom for me was swollen, painful joints.  I also felt very run down.  When I researched it, I learned that it is a very common symptom for adults who get this illness.  Is it possible you have been exposed to this?  Hopefully you'll get some good info. soon!

I don't know of anyone that has had it within even the last year although I guess it is a possibility. thanks for your thoughts

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Head.banging.wall. I just got off the phone, the NP didn't call me and I went straight to the Functional Dr.(instead of the local dr) who seems to keep experience cutbacks - at first the dr. would call me back, then the PA and now the receptionist, fabulous. I hate doctors. I even mentioned to her about doing a consult but she didn't even mention that. Anyway, I have a request for my thyroid tests so I guess that is a start.

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I agree to see a dr. I have Hashimotos and get joint pain in my knees and hands as part of that. I only get very mild swelling, but the joint pain will flare up for a couple weeks then subside again. Even when my thyroid numbers are looking good. Although, sometimes it's a sign for me to get my numbers checked as my meds may need adjustment. I've been tested multiple times for other autoimmune diseases. According to my rheumatologist, I have 'many markers' in my blood but no positive diagnosis of anything else. So, my 'official' diagnoses are Hashimotos and fibromyalgia. Hope you're feeling better soon.😊

Interesting I've never had that symptom. I wonder if you are just too soon into the disease to be diagnosed like mentioned earlier?

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Bethany Grace, on 13 Aug 2015 - 9:39 PM, said:

I agree to see a dr. I have Hashimotos and get joint pain in my knees and hands as part of that. I only get very mild swelling, but the joint pain will flare up for a couple weeks then subside again. Even when my thyroid numbers are looking good. Although, sometimes it's a sign for me to get my numbers checked as my meds may need adjustment. I've been tested multiple times for other autoimmune diseases. According to my rheumatologist, I have 'many markers' in my blood but no positive diagnosis of anything else. So, my 'official' diagnoses are Hashimotos and fibromyalgia. Hope you're feeling better soon.😊"

 

"Interesting I've never had that symptom. I wonder if you are just too soon into the disease to be diagnosed like mentioned earlier?"

 

I've had Hashimoto's for over 20 years, and the joint symptoms for the same amount of time. I've had testing for other autoimmune diseases several times over the last 20 years, and still don't test positive for anything else specific. I also don't have any joint damage--just the pain and mild swelling intermittently. (My knees and hands have been scanned multiple times) So, I make sure my thyroid is treated properly, and do my best with the joint/muscle pain. My rheumatologist says my joints are very hypermobile and that is what she thinks most likely contributes to the pain.

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