I apologize in advance if this is a topic that's been covered before on these boards: I'm new here, and haven't seen it appear in the month or so I've been reading.
About a year and a half ago, I started having "pins and needles" in my hands and feet. At the time, my RA was as yet undiagnosed, and they attributed the tingling to a low vitamin B12 level. Three B12 shots later, the pins and needles were gone. I now recognize that I was having my first "flare" during that time, and that the tingling disappeared about the time the flare subsided.
Now, I'm 4 months into my second flare, and the pins and needles are back. It's not all the time, and though it's a very marked sensation, it's not painful. It just feels like my hands/feet are waking up after having been asleep.
I've seen a few mentions, on these boards, about neuropathy related to RA. When I mentioned the tingling to my Rheumy, he was bewildered. I also haven't found anything about it on Arthritis information sites. My B12 was normal this time as well, so that's not the culprit.
What's the deal? Is this part of RA, or do I need to be tested for something different altogether?
I get this if my wrists or ankles are in pain or swollen at all. TheIt happens to me in my left hand and mine started before my diagnosis, and my primary sent me to a neuroligist and they discovered i have low b6 vitimin, which happens to be a neurologic vitimin, or it could be part of your flare, but what ever the cause i hope it gets resolved!
Since I've been having so much problems with nerves and tremors, I've done a lot more reading about peripheral neuropathy especially in the context of autoimmune diseases. It does usually start subtly and it is important that it is addressed by a Neurologist as you can have eventual nerve damage just like a diabetic can.
I wish they would tell us these things so we knew what to look out for. If a vitamin defiency has been ruled out, then please push for more answers. I don't have a full answer on mine, but evidently I supposedly have nerve damage that is serious and debilatating. I still don't know if it is perpherial neuropathy, spinal cord damage or MS. But the first symptoms were in my hands. The wrist splints do not help any more.
So please take it seriously and research "peripheral neuropathy" and "rheumatoid arthritis" together in your search engine and see what you think. Then, consider talking to your doctor further about this.
First of all, thank you all for the feedback. This disease can be merciless!
[QUOTE=Deanna]So please take it seriously and research "peripheral neuropathy" and "rheumatoid arthritis" together in your search engine and see what you think. Then, consider talking to your doctor further about this. [/QUOTE]
Regarding what Deanna said: How receptive have you all found your docs to be, when you approach them with suggestions, or requests for checking into this or that possibility? In general, both as a nurse and as a patient, I find that physicians don't like to admit when they don't know something, and specialists are the worst of all.
As a result, I'm a huge chicken about making requests and suggestions to doctors. However, I've never had a health problem this serious before, and I can see I'm going to have to learn to stick up for myself.
Please tell me it's going to work!
~Shy in South Carolina
Many times my doctors are not receptive. But the better you are at explaining your symptoms, your concerns and exactly what you want to try the better the outcome is. My doctors are not refusing to treat me, I am just caught up in their damn paperwork.
The best thing to do in your situation is to research your concerns, printing out the pages that you find. MayoClinic and John Hopkins are recognized authorities on this subject. I know Mayo covers this. Also, it might be given only a passing mention on the RA sites, but is covered in more detail on the Neurology sites. If you need me to, I'll try to gather you a list of links.
It is possible that you only have carpal tunnel. But again, they can treat that. Even if it is just compression caused by RA inflammation, you still deserve to have it addressed.
Being prepared will help you overcome your shyness. The necessity of staying healthy will get you past the fear.
Here's some sites:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy/DS001 31
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/peri pheralneuropathy.htm
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/deta il_peripheralneuropathy.htm
http://www.valleyhealth.com/Health_Library/mayo_catlinks.asp ?navid=3&sp=281
Unfortunately, the other thing to keep in mind is the possibility of MS which can be triggered by the biologics. In my case, I have at least 3 illnesses that could be causing problems plus I've been on two biologics.
Since I am now personally afraid that not enough attention was paid to earlier symptoms, I want to add some push to others who might have any possibility. I think the Neurologists are used to seeing this. I don't think Rheumys are as experienced. Hopefully you have one that has no problem referring you to a good one. Remember, if you don't feel satisfied with the answers that you have already gotten, you have every right to be sent to another doctor for an opinion.
A really good doctor shouldn't be intimidated by a well-informed, questioning patient. What should really scare them is one who doesn't ask questions. Those are the ones that go untreated and I have to believe that most doctors do want to make us better. We are just making it easier for them.
Hope that helps.
Wow, Deanna, thanks for taking the time to give me all those links! I will definitely take your advice. Look out Rhuemy: this patient is coming in Armed and Dangerous!