RA effects on hands: writing & trembling | Arthritis Information

 

I'm assuming this is a direct effect of RA but wanted to hear others' experiences.  When you are doing work that is at all detailed and requires a steady hand, does your RA make your hands shake a little bit?  My dad's doesn't have RA but his hands have always been a little trembly and I've noticed it has gotten worse as he has gotten older.  I've never had this problem unless my blood sugar got really low but notice it now regardless of glucose levels.  Wondering if its an RA thing or just general heredity.

Definitely talk to your doctor about the trembling.  As for the pain - probably partly due to RA, partly due to "use it or lose it."  Writing is a strenuous activity for the small muscles in the hand and forearm.  If they're not used to it, it's gonna hurt until they get retrained. I'm not sure about the trembling....but yes, typing I'm ok with, but writing-even a sentence or two and my hands are no good. It's like they just freeze up. My hands shake too, which is really frustrating when I'm trying to paint fine lines. I'm not sure what the cause is.
I agree with JasminRain that if you use muscles you haven't used in awhile, that's going to cause some discomfort, also repetitive movement can cause pain as well.
For a couple of years I did editing for my husband's business, but had to quit because typing for 6 hours was wreaking havoc on my fingers, all the way up to my neck. Plus it was boring! I think  I have Attention Defecit Disorder! IMAK and Handeeze both make gloves for arthritic hands.  They keep the heat in, offer compression and support, and are washable and reusable.  I've used the Handeeze gloves for years, but recently tried the IMAK and really prefer those.  The fabric is softer and more durable than the Handeeze. My hands shake uncontrollably. My hubby has made comments on this. Putting on makeup or writing I have to hold my breath to steady my hands. Not sure if it is Ra related, but since I've had this it has gotten worse.I first noticed a tremble in my hands and my feet about 30 years ago, but its only slightly increased over the years.  Nothing I have mentioned to a doctor.  My handwriting always sucked, it hurt to hold the pencil or big crayon.  :)  My hands tremble also and I just assumed it was from the meds. My whole BODY trembles when I lay flat in bed ( not from anticipation of anything you understand..lolol  ) and that is a nasty feeling. My hands don't tremble, but they do get sore if I'm writing or taking notes for too long.My hands don't tremble but they do get stiff and really sore. It's  like they just hurt horribly inside. I do use my hands all day for data entry, writing, etc. They never did this before RA so I've always wondered if RA had anything to do with this.
mom2

My hands are a big issue for me.  Writing is painful and they are very weak.  I teach science so my hands have really caused me problems.  Demostrating labs has become more of a game of....how many beakers/test tubes can I break.  There has been some improvement with the Orencia.  I think alot of my problems comes from inflammation in the elbows.  The nerves are all being compressed. 

I just recently developed trembling in my right hand. It happens when I try to grasp something with my first finger and my thumb. My finger will start shaking horribly. It makes it hard to write legibly. I think I have something wrong with that finger though as it has started to curve towards the pinkie and has rotated almost completely to where it faces my middle finger. Looks very weird. My RD doesn't seem to concerned about it which doesn't do me much good. My hands have trembled every since I was a teenager. My mom and grandma's did too. I also have problems writing. I used a real thick pen but my hands cramp and get real sore after writing just a few sentences. The ra started in my hands. The shaking is embarrassing. I try to pick up my cup to drink and I shake people probably think I'm going through withdrawel and I'm a drug addict. LOL I have gotten used to it but people I know always point it out. I always say "yep, I know my hands shake." I don't now if it's from ra but mom and grandma never had ra....SO ????????? Mystery!Lyndee-  "My whole BODY trembles when I lay flat in bed ( not from anticipation of anything you understand..lolol  My hands don't tremble and I have a lot of problems writing. Holding a pencil for long is quite painful, I think its the tendons since its sharp pain.

No trembling though

My family has familial tremors (essential tremors) and some are worse than others.  I was prescribed Inderal for HBP and it also took care of my migraine headaches and my tremors have all but disappeared.  My cousin on the other hand, gets no relief from Inderal.  My tremors were much worse when I was younger and had a lot of stress in my life.

Adding my "no" to the tremors.. [QUOTE=babs10]Adding my "no" to the tremors..
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