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Are painful swollen hands and fingers a PMR flare?
I got off prednisone for PMR after almost 3 years in April. In February I had woken with swollen painful hands and fingers. Because of how I sleep it was diagnosed unseen as carpal tunnel. Finally saw my rheumatologist and she thinks it could be a PMR flare,didn’t look like carpal tunnel. That makes sense to me but she has put me back on only 3mg. of prednisone. I have no strength in my hands and can’t make a fist. Very limited in what I’m able to do.
When first diagnosed with PMR and in terrible pain this same rheumatologist started me on 5mg. of prednisone which did nothing.
Finall got up to 20mg. And got some relief.
Has anyone else had issues with your hands during or after being on prednisone for PMR? I also just found out there is osteoarthritis in my hands.
Thanks!
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Yes the osteoarthritis pain in my hands has been increasing over the winter months. I’ve had OA for years but now as I am just in my 2nd year of PMR the pain got much worse. Fingers, hands, wrists. I suppose it’s exacerbated by PMR. My internist gave me a RX for Celebrex, an NSAID plus stomach protector to help me taper below 3 and ease the hand pain. Helping so far.
I have been dealing with PMR since 4/24…started at 30mg , got down to 10mg prednisone 1/25 and felt very good…went to 7.5 mg and it all went bad. Very bad pain in hands and fingers. Unable to make a fist. Increased to 10, 15, 20, 25 with poor results. Every am until 11am or so no good. I’m a golfer, very upset. Now at 30mg pain much better, but jittery as all get out. It’s a trade off, trying to get back down to 10 is gonna be tough.
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1 ReactionMy hands are the worst. I'm on 15 mg and feeling pretty good with the exception of Carpal Tunnel in both hands, which I believe is a result of PMR as I've never experienced this pre-PMR. The swelling, tingling, pain, and inability to grip and close my fists is very frustrating, to say the least. Sigh....not sure what the solution is?
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1 ReactionHi. Keep us updated on the Kevzara journey
Thanks
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1 ReactionI will.
I've been taking 5mg of Prednisone for years. Sometimes I miss it and I notice the difference. This past Saturday, my knees were so painful I forgot my accupuncture treatment. Fortunately, I live in sight of my accupuncturist. She called and I whipped right over. This time she used accupuncture and a lazer treatment on my knees. I gardened all day Sunday without pain! I'm still painfree. I can feel a little niggle and that's all. I'm planning on gardening more today and the next day until I get it all done. I will keep you up to date to see how long the treatment lasts. I'm taking a combination of Tramadol and acetominophin for spinal stenosis. And my knees were killing me. If this keeps up, I'm going to see if my accupuncturist can work wonders on my right side as well. I would love to report that I'm painfree and not taking the Tramadol+!!
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1 ReactionHoping the treatment works! Please keep us updated. I am so stiff in the morning that I may give it a try.
i know what you mean, especially regarding my fingers.