Re: Sudden Hand Pain
- From: "Gwen Love" <cglghl@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 16:47:17 -0500
That is an excellent report to give to your doctor. However, I would suggest
that you have that doctor refer you to a rheumatologist, who is the only one
qualified to deal with arthritis, of which fibromyalgia is a part. And it
sounds as if the hands and feet problem could also be arthritis.
Gwen
"CASun" <jadams@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1121722940.486804.178870@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm new to this forum, though I have had fibrmyalgia since 6th grade.
I'm now 43, so I am used to the FMS and know how it feels for me. I
have been off all medications for 5 years, to have a child and now I
have restorative sleep, since I am an exhausted parent. Who would have
guessed. I still have problems with eposodic trigger points and pain,
but less spasming.
Two months ago I developed a new set of symptoms: bilateral hand and
foot pain. When it got worse and had become consistent, I went to my
general physician. Since I was having a bad bought of FMS with
generalized pain, she disregarded my report of a new type of pain.
Even though hand and foot pain has never been part of my FMS.
That was 5 weeks ago and the FMS attack has completely receded, not so
the hand pain. It has gotten progressively worse. I would appreciate
anyone's 2 cents on possible diagnosis, tests to request, symptom
relief. Has any one experienced a similar onset?
Below is my written summary for my doctor (appt in 1 wk). Let me
preface it with there being no causative trauma or event. Also the
hand pain came on gradually but is now constant.
MEDICAL SUMMARY
Duration: 2-3 months with symptoms increasing in severity. These
symptoms were noticed prior to a recent severe flare-up of fibromyalgia
(6 wk duration), were present throughout the flare-up and have not
improved with the resolution of the fibromyalgia flare-up.
Consistency of Symptoms: The symptoms have been present on a daily
basis with a couple of periods of slightly improved symptoms. These
slightly improved periods were only 1-2 days in duration. The symptoms
have been consistently worsening and having a greater impact on
functionality and pain levels.
Symptoms
Pain in hands and feet
Mainly aching with some jabbing sensations. This was my first symptom
and remains my primary complaint. The level of pain is impacting my
abilities both at work and home. The hands were affected first and
remain much more affected than my feet. It is bilateral with the
dominant hand becoming more severe during day as I use it. It is much
more severe in the day than the night with use of my hands being the
triggering agent. At night my hands ache slightly and tend to be
stiffly curled in my sleep. It is not significantly affecting my sleep
and I awake refreshed.
The pain is limited to my fingers, hands, wrists and toes. Since my
fibromyalgia flare-up resolved my pain level in all other parts of my
body has been minimal. Pain in my hands and feet were never a part of
my fibromyalgia flare-ups in the past.
Intolerence to temperature extremes in my hands
A early symptom was an extreme discomfort in my hands when holding
very cold items (iced water) after less than a minute. This is still
a major symptom. Recently very hot water has become increasing painful
and causes short term itching and pain in the skin of my hands. Cool
and slightly warm water is pleasant.
Stiffness in my hands
A more recent symptom, but increasing in impact and severity. Some
loss of range of motion overall but most evident when moving each
finger independantly rather than all together. Typing is painful. The
stiffness and pain has significantly reduced the strength in my hands
for daily tasks, both heavy lifting and opening jars. At rest, my
hands tend to be stiff and curled.
Swelling in my hands and feet
A more recent symptom. Moderate visible swelling in both hands and
feet. This is not related to the time of day.
Medication results
Tylenol is ineffective. Vicoden at low doses is only moderately
effective. Aleve is the most effective in lowering the pain level and
increasing functionality. Aleve taken at the start of the day seems
to improve the level of pain throughout the day. Currently taking 2
Aleve BID, at breakfast and dinner. At this dose, I have fewer
occurrences of pain that is not resolved by ceasing the offending
activity but I still have constant aching with episodes of increased
pain as I use my hands throughout the day.
Painful Activities
Any pressure on my hands
NOT skin sensations (except hot water and icy cold items)
any movement of my hands or wrists NOT related to position of my joints
Typing
Opening door handles
Holding hands
Gripping (even very light things)
Lifting things when holding them with my hands
Holding very cold items
Walking (occasionally)
Concerns
What has changed? What is the cause of my hand pain?
Suggestions for controlling symptoms short-term
Diagnostics: How to pursue determining cause and effective treatment.
Referral
.
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