Does anyone suffer from random hand cramping and finger contractures?

Posted by kalliope56 @kalliope56, Jun 15, 2023

I am at wit’s end with a problem I’ve been having with my hands and fingers. My hands randomly have spasms and my fingers randomly contract. In particular, the fingers that contract are my index finger in my middle finger and occasionally my thumb. My fingers curl inward towards my palm and will not release for a few minutes. I saw a hand specialist last week who took x-rays and checked me for carpal tunnel and trigger finger, and said I did not have any major issues with my hands. He thought the issue might be spine/nerve related and he referred me to a neurologist. The neurologist ordered blood tests to see if I had any vitamin/mineral deficiencies and also ordered a thyroid test. All results have come back normal. Something has got to be causing the painful spasms and the finger contractions. The neurologist prescribed Gabapentin, and I just started taking it. Has anyone else had experience with random hand spasms and finger contractions?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

walterl | @walterl | 6 days ago

In reply to @kilh "@sarahstuart Thanks for the reply. My family all grew up in Michigan (Pentwater and Ludington). It..." + (show)

@kilh I grew up in Royal Oak, MI and suffer the same cramping fingers.

artemis1886 | @artemis1886 | 5 days ago

Mine is caused by severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy neuropathy diagnosed by a neurologist emg/nerve conduction test. I was also tested for small fiber neuropathy along with dysautonomia.
My fingers cramp up so bad I cry. I take muscle relaxers for it. My husband holds my finger straight because if you let go cramps right back up.

marcoye939 | @marcoye939 | 4 days ago

Have they checked your magnesium and potassium specifically? 'Normal' range on standard panels doesn't always catch functional deficiencies that cause cramping.

kalliope56 | @kalliope56 | 4 days ago

In reply to @marcoye939 "Have they checked your magnesium and potassium specifically? 'Normal' range on standard panels doesn't always catch..." + (show)

@marcoye939 yes but I take magnesium even though my numbers have been normal. We believe now that my cramping was mostly due to a diuretic I had been taking for blood pressure.

rjd | @rjd | 3 days ago

In reply to @marcoye939 "Have they checked your magnesium and potassium specifically? 'Normal' range on standard panels doesn't always catch..." + (show)

@marcoye939
If you do not use the usual reference range for magnesium and potassium, what do you use to guide what may be functional deficiencies?

rjd | @rjd | 3 days ago

In reply to @kalliope56 "@marcoye939 yes but I take magnesium even though my numbers have been normal. We believe now..." + (show)

@kalliope56 I am likely on the same BP which contains a diuretic. Did you find another BP med without the diuretic that still works well and with no discomfort/side effects?

kalliope56 | @kalliope56 | 3 days ago

In reply to @rjd "@kalliope56 I am likely on the same BP which contains a diuretic. Did you find another..." + (show)

@rjd right now my cardiologiist has weaned me off BP med for the time being. However, I have a feeling I’ll be back on some type of medication soon because my systolic pressure has been going up. The good news is I haven’t had any swelling in my ankles so whatever I’m put on will not contain a diuretic.

patjack2 | @patjack2 | 3 days ago

My friend told me to soak my hands in the hottest water I could stand and the cramps disappeared. Good luck!

kalliope56 | @kalliope56 | 3 days ago

In reply to @rjd "@marcoye939 If you do not use the usual reference range for magnesium and potassium, what do..." + (show)

@rjd that’s a great question for which I personally do not have an answer. My cardiologist had told me to take a magnesium supplement to control PVCs that I was experiencing. He didn’t specify what type of magnesium supplement I should take or the amount just told me to try a supplement so I am using a magnesium complex for that condition which has been helpful and also might be helping my hand and finger cramping.