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?

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Maybe you need to see a rheumatologist. Your PCP can initially do tests for rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and other autoimmune problems. Do you have arthritis? I recently had an ANA reflex panel that had specific antibodies and was surprised to find a high antibody for scleroderma. Is your skin tight? Do you ever have Raynaud's from cold? This does sound neurological and if the gabapentin helps that is good news.

PT's who specialize in hand therapy can be really helpful.

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No skin tightening and hand specialist said very little arthritis. My hands and fingers feel quite normal except during cramping and contractions.

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Magnesium and hand stretches. Mine is intermittent, and I think it is more so on days that I am dehydrated.

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The neurologist tested my magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, creatinine kinase, etc...all normal.

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I have similar issues, primarily in right hand and fingers I’ve traced thru cause and affect that it’s either been my potassium, magnesium, and dehydration.

You said levels blood test came back normal, but are they normal for YOU. Do u have old bloodwork to compare to? If u do, u should look. If not, bump them up to see if it is.

Also, I take baclofen for spasms and found that it will actually cause spasms and twitching in my hands, again, primarily in my right hand index/middle finger.

It’s almost impossible to to text when those types of spasms occur!

I wish u the best!

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@bones53

I have similar issues, primarily in right hand and fingers I’ve traced thru cause and affect that it’s either been my potassium, magnesium, and dehydration.

You said levels blood test came back normal, but are they normal for YOU. Do u have old bloodwork to compare to? If u do, u should look. If not, bump them up to see if it is.

Also, I take baclofen for spasms and found that it will actually cause spasms and twitching in my hands, again, primarily in my right hand index/middle finger.

It’s almost impossible to to text when those types of spasms occur!

I wish u the best!

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I had never had mineral levels checked before so nothing to compare to...can you recommend a good Magnesium supplement?

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Yes my fingers will contract out of the blue! Not sure why. Always index finger and bird finger lololol. I thought it might be statins but it’s not. So I just live with it. It’s not life threatening!!!

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@bones53

I have similar issues, primarily in right hand and fingers I’ve traced thru cause and affect that it’s either been my potassium, magnesium, and dehydration.

You said levels blood test came back normal, but are they normal for YOU. Do u have old bloodwork to compare to? If u do, u should look. If not, bump them up to see if it is.

Also, I take baclofen for spasms and found that it will actually cause spasms and twitching in my hands, again, primarily in my right hand index/middle finger.

It’s almost impossible to to text when those types of spasms occur!

I wish u the best!

Jump to this post

X years ago I was doing a lot of needlework: knitting mittens, needlepoint for pillows. And to relax my neck muscles, I would do calligraphy :). On one of my trips for supplies I heard two women talk about "gloves" for their tired hands. I introduced myself and they introduced me to "gloves" for the hobbyist. translation: Dritz makes the equivalent of support hose for your hands. Less than $20 and can be ordered on line.

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@sarahstuart

X years ago I was doing a lot of needlework: knitting mittens, needlepoint for pillows. And to relax my neck muscles, I would do calligraphy :). On one of my trips for supplies I heard two women talk about "gloves" for their tired hands. I introduced myself and they introduced me to "gloves" for the hobbyist. translation: Dritz makes the equivalent of support hose for your hands. Less than $20 and can be ordered on line.

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Personally, I’m thinking it’s repetitive motion related although the specialists are not convinced. I used to crochet and loom knit a lot... I play lots of games on my phone..I garden and play a lap harp and a Kalimba...lots of strain on my fingers and hands. Hand specialist recommended soaking hands in warm water and Epsom salts. I may try the gloves.

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@kolady1

Yes my fingers will contract out of the blue! Not sure why. Always index finger and bird finger lololol. I thought it might be statins but it’s not. So I just live with it. It’s not life threatening!!!

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I have the same problem on both hands. First, there is Arthur and then I have a pinched ulnar nerve which needs surgery. Then the median nerve may get pinched and two fingers will contract. According to my hand Ortho Dr., I have to watch not to lean on my elbows or keep my arm at a right angle for long periods. I try sleeping with my arms straight at my sides or on a pillow. Sometimes this is hard. On another note, all my labs are normal. So no help there. As you said try and make the best of the situation. KLH

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