Extreme pain in hands

Hello @lhenry -- Welcome to Connect. We are glad you found us. I have peripheral neuropathy mostly in my legs and I also have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands but mostly my left one. While my hands sometimes hurt and are stiff, I've never had the type of pain you are describing. Are you able to get a referral to a hand specialist? I have no medical training or background but I would definitely want another opinion if I were in your shoes.

As far as vitamin B6 and B12 reversing the pain, I would ask the doctor how do the vitamins reverse the pain. I would especially worry about vitamin B6 as it is different than other B vitamins and can give you toxicity from high levels of B6.
-- http://www.easy-immune-health.com/vitamin-b6-toxicity.html

Have you had any injuries to the left hand? Pinched or damaged nerves can cause pain like you are describing.

Hoping you get some answers soon.

John

I have the same. You are the first that has described my pain to a tee. I have had 2 diagnosis from 3 Drs. The neurologists both said Personage Turner Syndrome. The Dr. That did the medical imaging said it was NOT PTS it is mono Neuritis multiplex. I'm working with my health authority to get a copy of the letter from the Dr. Who did the actual testing. I've been suffering with the pain for a year. I've been suffering from the effects of the only meds that slightly help. I have a messed spine that I take opioids for and they do not touch the pain in my hands. I have already been in touch with Dying with Dignity however at this time you have to be dying for them to help. They are trying to get things changed so that people who are suffering with no chance of getting better can also get end of life care. I hope that you are able to get the help you need. I have so many pre existing conditions I'm going to see an internist so they can figure out why all these things. I've dropped from 162 to 93 lbs in 2 years and they can't figure out why except it's very hard to even swallow when your in this much pain. Medical system in Canada may be free but you get what you pay for. So sorry for your pain.

Hi John,
I know we all wish that a cure and a cause could be found. Meanwhile this is sure a good place to find what works for some and I've sure learned a lot. I've had all the testing possible and have even been sent to a rheumatologist by my neurologist to be sure it was not autoimmune. It is not. Still no known cause but I had little to no pain - at least that others have experienced. I've had some shooting pains to give me a feel for what they experience. The rheumatologist here in Boulder, CO that I went to said there have been some very convincing studies that B complex or B6 combined with Alpha Lopeic acid have helped some neuropathy. you probably can find the study somewhere. this combination hasn't helped me, but I continue to take them. The rheumatologist said it's certainly worth trying it. He also recommended multiple vitamins in the hopes that it is a lack of a vitamin or mineral.
I recently started taking a natural multiple vitamin. Within 24 hours the tingling started to subside and now is almost non-existent, however I still have the numbness. Losing the tingling is wonderful and I hope it stays away. it had been getting worse for the last 2 years.I must say, I'm not convinced it was the multiple vitamin that helped, because I also have been doing Yoga since January, and since I believe my numbness and tingling could be related to my back (however an MRI said no stenosis) I think the Yoga could be helping.I've had back issues for 30 years or more. (degenerative disc disease) I also switched Calcium pills recently since I've read that some pills have a carrier in them that may cause issues with neuropathy. I also wanted to mention that for Carpal Tunnel some have said that there are some shoulder exercises that
some have done to ease this pain, so a PT or a certified yoga instructor would be who I'd ask for a referral. Take it for what it's all worth, but I thought since you've used some alternative methods for relief, I thought I should add mine in. It's too bad we have to do our own research on this, but it's not the only disease that lacks proper research for a good answer.

Hi @rpierro ,
I think you are right about the exercises and Yoga. I also have degenerative disc disease and osteopenia. It's difficult for me to walk very far due to lower back pain. I'm the guy that has to push the shopping cart at the supermarket even when only buying a few items. I had a few physical therapy sessions to learn some lower back exercises and that seems to have helped quite a bit. At least I'm not bothered as much by my lower back. My doctor put me on 1200 mg calcium daily but it's a constant struggle as it causes constipation then I have to search for other changes to help with the throughput. I've added 2 tsp of organic apple cider vinegar with a glass of water several times a day and it seems to help. I've been doing a little research on calcium and read that calcium AEP is probably what I will start next.

Calcium AEP: Membrane Integrity Factor Aids Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, Asthma and Osteoporosis
-- https://nutritionreview.org/2013/04/calcium-aep-membrane-integrity-factor-aids-treatment-multiple-sclerosis-asthma-osteoporosis/

Happy Friday!
John

Two years later, do you have any updates? Were you able to find out what the problem was and a solution? I’m having very similar issues.

Any luck with your diagnosis and treatment?

@confussed1955, how are you today? Solution found?

Hi @tyort, I would like to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect along with other members. Did you mean that you have the extreme pain in your hands similar to what @lhenry described at to start of the discussion here?

I was just wondering if you have seen a doctor or tried anything to help your symptoms. I have severe carpal tunnel and recently my right hand middle finger has had painful contractures at night - hard to straighten my hand and hurts when I try. I've read about Dupuytren's contracture -- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dupuytrens-contracture/symptoms-causes/syc-20371943 and suspect this is what is going on for me but I haven't had a chance to see the doctor yet. Will probably have to wait until all of this COVID-19 situation clears up.

@tyort I think that @johnbishop may have nailed the Dupuytren's-contracture diagnosis for your painful hands. I hope so. Just in case you want another perspective I have been dealing with "trigger finger" for several years. It started rearing its ugly head when I had the thumb surgery. The NP noticed it and expressed concern that either I needed to think about surgery or work it out with a PT or on my own.

And that is what I did. Because of the inclusion of fascia around those tendons, I asked my MFR therapist to take a look. Now she checks them out every week. When the tendons are very tight I use a topical (rich) THC balm. I also have made it a habit to rub those extrusions quite a bit when I have nothing else to do....and that helps too. The final diagnosis may have some of the same solutions. Let us know.
https://orthocenter-si.com/content/trigger-finger-vs-dupuytrens-contracture
May you be free of pain and discomfort.
Chris

@lhenry Hi and welcome. I feel very much the same as you, in my hands. I'm sorry to hear of your pain. I have small fiber polyneuropathy and thus far is my only reasoning. My hands are not consistent with pain descriptions. The feelings vary...they could feel right, ache. throb, feel like broken bones (my description is that someone stepped on them with steel workboots). I've had the feelings of catheters being simultaneously injected into the top of my hands. The days vary with types and intensity of pain. Use of my hands/fingers is an igniter. Gripping tightly or picking up something heavy. Texting, typing make worse.

I relate to much of your story and was B12 deficient also. It was the cause of my neuropathy. I received injections for months until my levels were healthy again. I take oral supplementation now to maintain. By regulating B12, I did notice many things improve but, feel the nerve damage was already done and irreversible.

I wish you all the best in your quest to find answers and love the fact you realize you are your advocate and responsible to search for the answers. Keep at it!

Rachel