Connect
PMR's effect on my hands
Has PMR affected your hands? In February, I noticed my legs and arms were often sore and stiff (no pain in my neck or shoulders). I lived with the pain for three weeks before seeing my doctor. He diagnosed my situation as PRM and put me on prednisone with taper. I am now down to 1.25 mg a day. My legs have been pain free for several weeks, and my arms are also mostly pain free. I don't know whether the soreness in my arms is due to doing something I shouldn't be doing (age 83) or whether it is a residual of PRM. Maybe 6 weeks after I was first treated, I noticed quite a bit of pain and stiffness in my hands. We didn't increase the amount of prednisone once it began affecting my hands. The pain sometimes feels like i stuck my hands in a very hot pot of water. Other times, it feels like many bee stings on my hands. My hands are also often numb or "asleep," especially when I wake up in the morning. Within 10 minutes or so after getting up, the pain/sensations are generally gone for the day, although at times, my hand still go to sleep and become numb during the day. I really shouldn't be complaining when I read about what some of you in the group have gone/are going through. I see my doctor in a couple of weeks. I'll see what he suggests but am wondering whether any of you have had significant hand pain.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.
Connect
My PMR diagnosis came after Carpal Tunnel surgery - first the right and then the left. Inflammed tissue was (packed) was removed. The second worse than the first. Had PT and was coming along nicely but soon started with the same hand issues. The Surgeon said need to find out cause of the inflammation. From there I was referred to a Pain Management MD and he ran blood tests to rule out certain things and had me on Prednisone for PMR until I could get in to a Rheumatologist. Just started on Kevzara. But my hands have continued to be maybe the most painful at times and always stiff and sore.
Perhaps due to the Carpal Tunnel issues back??
@mjdcl57
My hands have been significantly impacted by PMR. Started out at 20mg as well. Now down to 5mg and tapering. Have tried several things for my hands, including physical therapy, which has helped. I've actually had very good results with acupuncture. After sessions, my hands have full motion and strong grip with no pain. Unfortunately, it has so far reverted after a couple days. But I'm hopeful it will have more long term effects as I continue sessions.
So glad I am reading all your posts right now.
I spent 2 weeks in Mayo recently very sick with , finally the great team of Drs. found GCA, Giant Cell Arteritis/PMR. Treated with high doses of IV steroids & Actemra which allowed me to go home on oral Prednisone. I’ve been tapering every 2 weeks & am down to 40mg as of today.
The strange symptom I’ve been having is severe hand cramping. Mostly my right hand. Never had anything like that before. I’m gratefully feeling better every day. My severe hip pain during the worst of my illness is gone. Still have some headaches but the hand thing is new. Wasn’t sure if it’s the prednisone or part of flare? This did not start until I got home from the hospital. I did notice my toes felt cramp coming on but able to stretch and prevent them from going into a painful episode. Whew!
I’m keeping a simple journal of any symptoms that come up during this tapering for my Rheumatologist appointment next week to see how the reduction in prednisone affects me. But again, not sure if it’s the withdrawal of dose in prednisone or the disease itself.
Any insight to that for those that have had this autoimmune issue? Or maybe the way prednisone raises my blood sugar? Could be affecting neuropathy type symptoms?
I’m 67, have had Lupus & Diabetes for 30 years before GCA/PMR took over the big show!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@mjdcl57
My hands felt like the palm tendons are made of double edged knives when I grasped or extended my hands. Feet too. At one period, for about two weeks, my middle finger palm tendon stuck out about a half inch when I extended my fingers (open.) Then came joint pain on my hands, palms and fingers. It has lasted for about a month now.
I’ve been on Prednisine for 6 months and Kevzara for almost 5.
I’ve found that if I do a 10 minute refrigerator cold water bath in the evening after using my hands extensively that day, that they feel better the next day.
Good luck if you try it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you all for your thoughts and advice! I'm going to try to "cold plunge" hand thing for a few days. My problem is that the pain in my hands is inconsistent. Some days they're pretty good. Other days, not good at all.
So thanks again!
Rheumatologist told me the pain in my thumbs are the result of osteoarthritis. Pain on my arms and shoulders are caused by PMR
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@momac59
I am 77 yo and have T1D LADA and now on insulin for 6 mths. Recently diagnosed with PMR. About to start taking 10mg Prednisone and 10mg Methotrexate once a week. I am nervous about the effects the medication may have on my BGLs.
Unfortunately that’s part of that double edged sword of steroids. But maybe your BSugar won’t go up too much with only the 10 mg. And if it does your Dr. can have you adjust insulin to help.
The biggest things I am doing that are really making a big difference being on high doses of prednisone since April (60mg, now tapered to 40mg/day), besides working closely with my Dr on meds to help lower BSg is glucose monitoring, & changing my diet and eating on a schedule.
I finally got a Continuous Glucose Monitor after resistance for so many years. I think I was just nervous & nervous & overwhelmed but it is so easy & I feel like I finally have control over my numbers without the poking & testing 4 times a day. It also tracks trends for you & your Dr. so you can see times of day or how what you eat is affecting you & how steroids affect you.
Medicare will pay for it 100% especially being on insulin. Your Dr. can order it for you.
The other thing I did was clean up my diet FINALLY!
My stay in the hospital woke me up! With the help of the Diabetes educator we work out a simple meal plan I could live with. At home I saw how much wheat affected my BS, even small amounts so I am gluten free, sugar free(Monkfruit is a great alternative for sweetener) & mostly dairy free; I love cream in my coffee!
I eat 3 meals & a snack; hearty, nutritious tasty foods & have without trying dropped 20 lbs. Every meal includes protein, healthy carbs from fruits & veggie, whole grains like brown rice & a little healthy fats. This has helped my BS & to reduce inflammation tremendously! Gentle exercise after meals is good too. Short walk or chair yoga for 20 minutes is what I do now.
If shopping & cooking is too much, there are a lot of good meal prep/ delivery services that will do diabetic friendly meals. It’s a bit pricey but our help is worth it; being sick is expected too.
Sorry so long but I found some help & hope & want to share what has worked fine me after being so sick. I want to do everything I can to get & stay healthy dealing with these autoimmune challenges mixed with the diabetes.
Hope this helped a little! Best of health to you!
I can’t tell you how much better I feel.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have been recently diagnosed with PMR. Each morning, my wrists are aspainful as my shoulders, neck, hips, and arms. The pain wanes as the day goes on.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@abd
My pain which lead to PMR diagnosis started in my right arm in November 2025. Then moved on to numbness in my finger tips on both hands. Pain was so bad I had to sleep upright in a chair at night. Then I got so stiff start of December. My GP did blood work and I was diagnosed with PMR and started on 15 mg prednisone. All pain gone in 2 days but finger tips remained numb. Neurologist thinks carpal tunnel and now I wear hand braces at night(3 months) .and much improved . Currently at 7 mg prednisone.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction