Connect
← Return to Tingling fingers part of PMR symptom?
Discussion
Tingling fingers part of PMR symptom?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 25, 2024 | Replies (28)Comment receiving replies
My husband is scheduled for carpal tunnel surgery this Tuesday, because of severe pain and numbness in his dominant hand. He was diagnosed with PMR, May (2024) and has been on Prednisone and in the process of reducing that and is at 2 mg now. We are really questioning whether he should proceed with this surgery, as we are thinking this is actually a PMR symptom, although not a common one. He also is dealing with swollen feet and ankles. He had an EMG test a few weeks ago, that has lead to the carpal tunnel diagnosis. He also had an MRI and they are saying he has nerve issues in his cervical spine and are looking at possible surgery for that, as well. We are very apprehensive about proceeding with these interventions, if they are all simply further symptoms of his PMR and could be relieved by simply going back up on the Prednisone again and tapering again, more slowly this time. We sure don’t want to add any complications to this PMR disease. My husband is 71 and in good physical shape, we are eating an anti inflammatory diet and he is maintaining a pretty consistent exercise plan.
Replies to "My husband is scheduled for carpal tunnel surgery this Tuesday, because of severe pain and numbness..."
Hi, I was diagnosed with PMR May 2024, last 2 months have numbness in fingers and wrist pain. Rheumatologist wants me to see neurologist as possible carpal tunnel. Am wondering like you if this is PMR related, seems so.
What did they say is causing your husband's nerve issues in his spine? I had painful nerve stabbing in my right upper leg every day for about a month, which has stopped since the last prednisone reduction, thankfully. A search for the symptoms found Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis, a buildup of fat in the spinal cavity, most often caused by fat redistribution while taking steroids or by being overweight. It causes pressure on the spinal nerves which can affect nerves in the legs.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8567763/#sec15
I toughed it out, hoping that pred reductions and a re-normalisation of fat distribution might fix it. I don't know what made it go away and my problem may not have been that at all, though it was certainly nerves, so I make no assumptions about your husband's ailments. I understand your hesitation about surgery when something less invasive may fix it. Is it PMR, is it prednisone side effects, is it something else, who knows? Good luck to you both.
Connect
not a doc but the carpal tunnel diagnosis sounds solid. however see if he can get a cortisone shot and if it heals it he will know if it all comes back in 4-5 months .... but he should get relief in the hand affected. That is what I did because I didn't QUITE believe the EMG which said carpal tunnel along with the carpal tunnel surgeon..who gave me the shot instead knowing no doubt I would be back! It sounds to me like he has tapered WAY TOO QUICKLY to 2mg. just diagnosed in 2024??? course I have been on for 7 years. However I think I tapered too slowly... and now having difficulty getting off. but he is in the first YEAR. I dont know ANYONE off in a year. or even at 2mg. I personally would go to 5 and see how all the symptoms fare before any surgical intervention.
good luck!!! also check out the site Healthunlocked.com It is wonderful. go to the PMR/GCA group. Lots and lots of support and knowledge there.