Pain in knuckles, all doctors are stumped | Arthritis Information

 

I first posted this on the RA board. I have however been reassured by my doctor that I do not have RA. I am hoping there is someone out there who has experienced anything like I have and could point me in the right direction. 

 

I have seen my PCP, rheumatologist, neurologist, and naturpath and everyone is stumped. Below is my original post, sorry it's long but trying to be thorough.

 

A bit of history first... About 5 years ago I suffered from a very bad case of iritis (I had both scleritis and episcleritis at the same time). I had all the RA tests and other tests to rule out any possible disease, all came back fine.

 

Now to the present day... In the middle of May 2010, I woke up one night with extreme pain in my knuckles. I would flex my hand and the pain would subside, but would come back after a few more hours of sleep. I kind of blew it off, thinking it would just "go away," but after about a week and a half I decided to see my doctor.

 

My doctor was stumped. She took x-rays of my hands and neck and ran some tests (I will list the tests later). She put me on a course of prednisone to see if that would help. It didn't.

 

So I went back to see her for more tests, and after discussing my case with 3 other doctors they decided sending me to rheumatology was the best bet. She again put me on another dose of prednisone, but twice the strength this time, and still did not help.

 

My first appointment with rheumatology was July 22. He was a bit baffled too so he runs more tests and prescribes Naproxen 500 MG twice a day. He said take it for 3 weeks then set up a phone call with him. 3 weeks go by, the Naproxen still hasn't helped, so he said take it for 2 more weeks and come see him.

 

So I go back and he's still stumped so he orders a bone scan of my hands. The bone scans come back fine -- not a sign of inflammation at all!!! -- so since he can't figure out what's wrong with me he refers me to neurology.

 

Now for some details:

* The pain is in all of my fingers, thumb and pinkies too.

* This only happens when I'm lying down or sleeping, with risidual achiness during the day.

* This has happened every night since the middle of May, and I've tried 3 beds and a couch.

* It also happens during daytime naps.

* The pain is equal in both hands, with the left hand being slightly worse at times.

* There is no tingling or numbness, just PAIN.

* There is no swelling in my hands/fingers at all.

* There is no discoloration in my hands or fingers.

 

Component	Your Value	Standard Range	Flag
CREATININE	0.67	0.50-1.40 MG/DL
WBC	8.4	4.0-10.7 K/uL
RBC	4.87	3.6-5.0 10*6
HEMOGLOBIN	13.7	11.4-15.5 GM/DL
HEMATOCRIT	42	36-46 %
MCV	86	80-98
MCH	28	27-34
MCHC	33	33-37 %
ANA SCREEN	Negative, Less than 1:40
RHEUMATOID FACTOR	Negative
CRP (7/06/10)	32	0.0-7.0 MG/L	HIGH
SED RATE	23	0-20 mm/h	HIGH
CRP (7/22/10)	31	0.0-7.0 MG/L	HIGH
HLA-B27	Negative	NEGATIVE-
LDH	157	100-220 U/L
TSH (reflexive)	1.22	0.3-5.5 mIU/mL
CALCIUM	9.6	8.4-10.2 MG/DL
PTH, INTACT	58	15-65 PG/ML

 

I have had what seems to be every test in the world. The only tests that came back high were my c-reactive protein and SED rate.

 

I've tried some things on my own: massage, accupuncture, chiropractic...I saw a naturpath doctor who had me do an elimination diet. None of this has helped so far.

 

I have since seen a neurologist and of course she was stumped too and does not think it is nerve-related. We are doing an EMG on 10/22 just to rule things out. I've also been referred to a hand specialist just to see if she has any insight at all.

 

My PCP has also prescribed gabapentin to see if that would help. So far it hasn't.

 

Any ideas as to what this could be? I don't like having this "mystery illness"!! I am so tired (literally) of getting such little sleep. I am consumed by this pain, dreading going to bed each night.