Neuropathy in Hands

Posted by sharonanng @sharonanng, Aug 23, 2022

My rheumatologist states the neuropathy in my hands and feet is not PMR. However, I never had issues previously except for very mild arthritis in my hands. I have been on the same dose of prednisone for over a week and have been feeling really good. Then the pain in my hands wakes me up this morning, and it is hard to use my hands due to the pain. Does anyone else have this kind of issue? The frustration is that it seems like you have not changed your routine, and yet the symptoms change. As someone has so wisely stated previously, this is not a linear condition.

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@johnbishop

Have you ever seen an orthopedic doctor for your hand? Just wondering if it might be carpal tunnel which is one of my conditions. Also, the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a list of complementary and alternative treatments you might find helpful for the neuropathy in your feet - https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf

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Hello group- the pain and tingling in both hands preceded my PMR diagnosis but I am sure the symptoms were part of PMR... While waiting for help from the the rheumatologist, I ended up with carpal tunnel surgery and have never had the painful or debilitating condition in my hands again... I am on low dose prednisone and methotrexate at this time, as other symptoms are still bothering me from the PMR- hope this helps

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I was diagnosed with PMR just 10 days ago. Prior to the diagnoses, I had the pain in the forearms, hands and feet. Started prednisone 30 MG per day.
At night, the hand pain increases until morning. The morning pain in the hands and feet makes it difficult to walk and grasp items.
After taking my dosage, it can take anywhere from and hour to 5 hours for relief in the hands and feet.

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@naezzo

I was diagnosed with PMR just 10 days ago. Prior to the diagnoses, I had the pain in the forearms, hands and feet. Started prednisone 30 MG per day.
At night, the hand pain increases until morning. The morning pain in the hands and feet makes it difficult to walk and grasp items.
After taking my dosage, it can take anywhere from and hour to 5 hours for relief in the hands and feet.

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@naezzo are you still at 30 mg prednisone? Was the pain relief any different when you first started taking prednisone? You might want to discuss the symptoms with your doctor or rheumatologist.

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@connelly

PMR since November 2021. Commenced Prednisolone at 15mg daily, now down to 7mg. PMR, which began conventionally with the girdle joints of shoulders and hips has in the past month descended to my wrists and hands. My symptoms have always been completely symmetrical. I now feel the beginnings of a similar descent of PMR to knees and lower legs. No apparent swelling of hands or wrists. My hands seem to have the same mobility as ever (they were never particularly nimble: I’ve always been a crack-handed typist) and, probably, no reduction in my above average grip strength. The primary manifestation of PMR in my variant of the disease is just pain in tendons and joints. Worst in the morning, declining after a 5am breakfast with Pred and vigorous exercise from 8am. I am male, 82 and before PMR was in excellent physical shape. I manage without painkillers - varied diet, wine with my evening meal. No weight gain with Prednisolone - but slight facial mooning apparent, which is annoying.

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On a lighter note, my friends say I look great! The Prednisone has resulted in facial mooning and a reddish rash on my face as well. I looked rather gaunt before diagnosis. So now I am rosy cheeked, filled out, and ready to face the world! I have to look on the brighter side!
I am grateful for the benefits of Prednisone and continue to do all I can to minimize its effects.
Thanks to all of you for sharing what works for you. It has been so helpful.

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@milld835

Yes, even though my new GP says PMR does not affect the hands. My right hand for months at the end of last year, was like a claw. I could barely move the fingers. I was unable to use the computer mouse, which I need for work. Couldn't do much of anything. Eventually, I had to wear a carpal tunnel brace (for awhile on both hands). It started in the thumb joint and worked its way into the fingers. There was numbness and tingling. I was unable to grip or grasp anything. It did affect the left hand to some degree, but not as much. Prednisone (once diagnosed with PMR) helped this, although I still don't have the use of my middle finger, right hand completely. It still stiffens up. I exercise it with a soft rubber ball. The veins do swell up, but not always. It is a bit freaky. I never had a problem previously. All the best to you.

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Thank you for writing in detail. I have just been diagnosis with PMR two weeks ago, and had severe carpel tunnel as you described in my left hand when I woke in the am. And painful arthritis thumb joint pain on right side. My veins in both hands are enlarged and look strange. Even with prednisone 20 mg, I get aches in the same areas mentioned. It will go away, but not fully. Did that happen to you?

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@dawne

Thank you for writing in detail. I have just been diagnosis with PMR two weeks ago, and had severe carpel tunnel as you described in my left hand when I woke in the am. And painful arthritis thumb joint pain on right side. My veins in both hands are enlarged and look strange. Even with prednisone 20 mg, I get aches in the same areas mentioned. It will go away, but not fully. Did that happen to you?

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Yes. I've had to work my right hand with a soft rubber ball for many months. Just squeezing it as I'm watching some shows or while I'm waiting for a call to come through while working. It all came back but the middle finger, right hand which is still a little stiff. I am now able to snap my fingers, which is a good sign. Worse in the damp weather and occasional pain in the main thumb joint. Exercising it helped a lot; also bending each finger joint very slowly and massaging the base of each finger. The numbness is gone; veins are still there. I did not have this problem prior to PMR. Both hands were affected, but the right hand to a debilitating degree. Hope it goes well with you.

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@dawne

Thank you for writing in detail. I have just been diagnosis with PMR two weeks ago, and had severe carpel tunnel as you described in my left hand when I woke in the am. And painful arthritis thumb joint pain on right side. My veins in both hands are enlarged and look strange. Even with prednisone 20 mg, I get aches in the same areas mentioned. It will go away, but not fully. Did that happen to you?

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I think that the verdict is still out on whether or not PMR effects the hands. I have seen it listed on several different websites as a PMR symptom. Here’s an example, https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/polymyalgia-rheumatica#:~:text=You%20may%20also%20have%20trouble,the%20hand%2C%20wrist%2C%20or%20forearm. My Rheumatologist believes that the mild hand issues that I experienced before I was diagnosed were part of my PMR symptoms. They did dissipate as soon as I got on Prednisone and I can click my fingers again. I pray your hand issues are quickly resolved.

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