Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group problems with my hand

Thanks Steve, I agree with you on that. This is definitely a different pain than what I experienced with the carpal tunnel I had in my left wrist. That was quite some time ago, and I also had a successful surgery for that. I don't remember whether there was swelling, but I do remember the numbness and burning pain. I wonder if that was a pre-cursor to this? Thanks again Steve for your reply and well wishes. Wanda

Hi Ladybuggie,
Thanks for replying to my post, I appreciate the info. Something about Sam's description of her problem reminded me of my past problems with carpal tunnel. I was wondering if maybe Sam's might have some carpal tunnel involvement.
As far as my problem, when I spoke to the nurse about my hand she said that it was AS related also. Like yours, my hand just wanted to stay kind of curled and I could not straighten it. I did manage to snap a picture of it to take to the doctor. I have so many questions for him at my next visit. Today it is not swollen, but the knuckle area is painful.
Thanks again, Wanda

Hi Cindy,
I think my next question is "what's next?"
What happens when you crack your wrist? That does sound painful. Thanks for the reply, I sincerely appreciate the support. Wanda

Wha't next?
I like to refer to it as the "joint of the month club"
My wrists are much like my back or neck when I crack them. It sounds like the bones are breaking and pretty much feels the same as it sounds . Sometimes it takes some force but at least they aren't fused. I have found over the years that AS effects each person in a different way, that is why this website is so good. The Docs pretty much leave their patients in the dark about the other things effected by AS and just generally leave us to believe it is a back thing. If it happens to you, you will find someone who has gone through the same things, on this site, so you know you're not crazy. I don't know that any of this helps or makes you feel any better but sometimes it's good just to know your not alone.
Cindy

Hi Wanda
I saw my DR today and he mentioned about carpel tunnel, said I should definately question my rheumy about it, havnt got an appt with him for ages, but fortunately I go to hydro on Tuesdays and pass his secretary's office when I am there so I always pop my head round the door to let her know whats happening.
I woke up in the middle of the night with a numb hand again and the 2 fingers are really painful.

Hi Cindy,
"Joint of the month" club - Is that like the "book of the month"club? If I recall correctly, if you don't choose a book they send you one anyway.
I don't crack my joints on purpose, just the usual cracking and popping when I move after being stationary. Sometimes there's that pop feeling inside. That's a hard one to describe.
And you're right about not feeling like you're alone. It's so hard for us to understand this thing, there's no way anyone can really understand it unless they are going through it. Take care, Wanda

Hi Sam,
When can you see your rheumy again? Since tomorrow is Tuesday, maybe you can get an appointment?
Another thing that was bothersome when I had carpal tunnel was that when I drove a car or blew my hair dry, my fingers would go numb. I went to a good neurosurgeon that did some testing,some of which were nerve conduction tests. Only after that would he do the surgery. Once it healed, I didn't have any other problems with it.
Although a couple of years after that, I kind of messed things up a bit myself. I was trying to get some bar cookies out of the pan(it was a really good recipe that I had cooked too long)Stupidly I used a steak knife to try to get them out. The knife slid up the pan and right into my forearm. It didn't bleed much, but I did knick a nerve. I had to go the ER and eventually on to physical therapy. So now I have some tingling back in that hand, but it is different from the carpal tunnel. Hope you feel better. Let me know what your rheumy says about your hand. Wanda

Yep, the wrist/hand/thumb pain and swelling is one of the worst sx.
I'm right handed but find that I have to write with my LEFT hand when the pain is too bad. Sometimes my right thumb swells so badly at the joint that when I bend my thumb, it bends off to the left---OUCH!!!
Take care, and remember, you are not alone!

Hi MaryEllen,
Thanks for your support. They really don't say anything about this in all the pamphlets, do they? Or even online very much. This forum really is a godsend. Have you had problems with your hands very long? Wanda

Hi,

I have had swollen sore wrists and at times swollen stiff fingers. My left wrist joint is damaged permanently and will need surgery later on. I wore a specially made wrist splint for about 6 months last year and it really helped me. At the time my wrist was so sore I couldn't hold a magazine or pluck my eyebrows. It has since settled down and only gives me intermittent pain. I originally had a diagnosis of AS but since the wrist and fingers my rheummie says " some sort of inflammatory arthritis" Duh!

I have started on Plaquenil lately and have noticed a good difference. I also take Salazopyrin, Cellebrex and Amitripyline.

Good luck with it all.

Debra