Sore Hands | Arthritis Information

I was diagnosed with PMR September 2005 and came of Prednisolone on the 1st October this year. Since stopping the Pred all the old aches and pains are back so I think I will have to go on a low maintenance dose. Since I got the Pred down to 2mg I have been having problems with my hands.

They are very sore and achy, the fingers hurt when I press them or pick up a cup or tea or try to write and I've had terrific pins and needles in my fingers and my finger ends go numb.

Has anybody else had this or have any suggestions as to what it might be. I went to see my Doctor this week but because I also have Osteo in my knees and Spondylitus (sorry about the spelling) she seems to assume that every ache and pain is the arthritis. When I described my symptoms to her she asked me what I wanted her to do about it. Somehow I managed to keep my cool although I really wanted to slap her. Whilst I wouldn't wish arthritis on my worst enemy it would be nice if she could experience it for a few weeks (months would be better).

Sorry about the ramble but I feel much better now I've had a winge.

Regards

Sheila

Sheila, You should have slapped her. You would have felt a lot better, and so would I.

I'm still at 8 mg, so I don't know what happens at the end. Lots of folks say they hurt and have terrible aches for about 6 months from the prednisone withdrawal. Good luck

Sheila

Sorry I can't be of much help here as I'm on 20mg at the moment. But sending a gentle (((hug))) and to say I hope you are not so sore today.

Thinking of you

Love Judi xx

Sheila,

You may have stopped the prednisone too soon, and that
is why your aches and pains are back. My dr. said that
most PMR patients should be on prednisone for at least
2 years to really "knock it out" (and some have to be
on the drug even longer). I don't know what the problem
with your hands is. Wish I could help. I could relate
to you wanting to slap your dr. Your post really made
me chuckle; guess I have a weird sense of humor. But I
can empathize; I've been in the situation of wanting to
slap a dr. too many times to count. They need to take
lessons in "bedside manner". Thankfully I have a very
nice rheumatologist now.

By the way, what does "have a winge" mean? I tried to
look it up, but couldn't get a definition. I'm not sure
if I got the sense of it from the context of the things
I found on line.

Hope you figure out what is going on with your hands
and find some relief real soon. Take care.

Reni

I'm picking you might be Australian - that word whinge???

Have a good week. Jeanne

Dear All,

Many thanks for your replies, they are much appreciated and very helpful. I have started to take the Prednisolone again at 2mg a day and am feeling a lot better, even my hands are feeling a lot easier.

I,m not sure if I spelt "winge" right it means to have a moan. As much as I would love to live in Australia I,m afraid I live in England. I,ve tried to talk my husband into moving abroad but his feet are firmly planted here. I did think about leaving him here and going on my own but I,d miss our cats to much (only joking, I think)

Love Sheila

Sheila,

Thanks for the reply about the definition of "winge".
Gee, I'm not only learning more about PMR on this site,
I'm also learning some British slang or idioms. What
fun!!

Glad to hear that you are doing better. Hope it
continues. Take care.

Reni

It may be from the Pred. I experienced the exact same things with my hand and fingers that you described in your post while I was adjusting to an acceptable dose. I have been on 10mg for over a month now and have started to alternate days between 9 and 10mgs. I also had very sore wrists. I can still feel some pain in my wrists and shoulder and upper arm pain is constant but bearable.

Hi Sheila,

I'm new to this forum. I just posted the 'Cold Hands' topic before I read the enties on this one. In it I mentioned the Raynaud's Syndrome that reduces the hand blood supply for many people with autoimmune diseases. I haven't started on pred yet - so that isn't responsible for the poor circulation in my hands.

Just thought there may be a connection. Some RS sufferers have tingling in their fingertips (if I remember correctly).

By the way, any doctor that asks what you want him/her to do for you should be reported to their professional association - not that it would do any good. That is about the most insulting thing they can say to a patient.

Hope your improvement continues~

Carole.

It's a not a good day. I'm just "winged out". I really get winged in the mornings. I just moan and groan and carry on something terrible for a while. I'm glad there's another word for moan. It's much more pleasant. Thanks for enriching my vocabulary, Sheila. Have a decent night, everyone. No winging.