hi there, anyone get swelling and pain/tingling in the fingertips esp? Its not like the joint swelling... its like when your fingers get "prunned" from being in water a while... mine get so swollen I have to cut the fingernails out of it or they dig in. (the nails are squared also but Doc thinks that is from the Arava.) They even split the skin at times. My Rheumy hasnt ever seen it, neither has my primary doc nor Cardiologist. Very weird and painful... awaiting to see a neurologist...
thanks
Pepper
Jodi Girl
thanks for your reply... it took me a while to get back to the site. I am on Arava too... makes ya wonder! My Rheumy says it must be the RA but she isnt too sure. I take a med for my heart and I have wondered if its the cause... I have an appt to see the Cardio this week and I want to ask again. He said I couldnt just stop that medication to see without taking something else, but it may be worth a try. I have thoiught it to be a circulatory problem too but my Cardiologist said he had never seen it in his practice, and he is a special specialist... and electrophysiologist or something... but anyway... I will ask again! It really sucks having to constantly cut my nails out of my swollen fingers and toes... and the finger tips split in dry cracky areas too... I cant do anything for it, heavy lotions, etc dont even help much.
The pain that you describe sounds like neuropathy. My fingers and toes do that too... I am on the theraputic dose of Neurontin for neuropathy and it helps... maybe your mom should see a Neurologist to check it out. I dont have nerve damage, but nerve pain... from the RA and fibro he says. RA can damage nerves though, so get your mom in to see one if you can. Anyway, thanks again for the reply... it helps if you can find someone else with these strange things we all get and the docs never seem to see. Good luck to you. At least you are diagnosed in the time of rapid treatment. Just in 1996... they gave the mild meds first and now they give the good meds ASAP since they think it helps halt the disease in some. You know all about it with your mom. I feel for her... RA is bad enough, but Lupus too?! She must be a trooper!
take care - Kari