Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Hand weakness, twitching, tremor...

Anyone with long term AS especially involving the neck have problems with hand/arm weakness, fingers twitching and tremors when extending the fingers?

Over the last year I noticed this tremor thing but lately I feel weakness in my arms and hands with more of a tremor happening. My guitar playing is becoming difficult as is writing. I really have to focus.

Any thoughts?

Kerry

Kerry, I know what you mean--hand weakness--for the last few years, I've noticed an increase in pain and numbness in my right hand-exspecially. It gets so bad and so numb that I could cut a finger off and not feel it. Was at the doc's the other day and he's going to get me into some physical therapy on my neck--kinda described it as stepping on a water hose therefore restricting the nerves coming out of my spine, also miss playing my guitar~~~~good luck
To everyone out there a BIG HELLO, I've been offline for a while
Take care~~Bill

I have a lot of neck issues (not officialy dxed with AS) and YES I have a lot of weakness in my hands. I have to really concentrate picking stuff up or I'm going to drop it!

The most annoying thing though is wrist pain....like my neck when it gets stiff, it hurts to bend my wrist occasionally. I don't know whether the problem is the joint itself or referred fromt he neck though.

Rox
http://www.geocities.com/artisan1998.geo/index.html

We all tend to relate everything to AS which is easy to do because it's so complex and can impinge on nerves. What you describe may be worth getting checked out further by neurologist. Have you discussed with your rheumy?


This bunny Kicks AS !

Hi
I never associated this with AS maybe it isn't related but just recently the thumb on my
left hand started twitching. I just thought I had a jumpy nerve. Will have to keep an eye
on this.

Valerie

I have hand weakness that I believe is AS related.

I have tremors that come and go. I can look and feel fine and not shake at all. Or I can be soooo sick that my shaking scares the doctors! I always thought it was the porphyria and not my rotten neck. Who knows?

Ellie

Kerry,

I also suffer with similar symptoms, but they seem episodic - i.e. I'll feel occasional weakness in one hand or have a slight tremor, then it passes and I don't experience such problems for weeks or months. This has been going on for a couple of years. The twitching certainly seems to indicate a nerve problem. My legs (and occasionally arms) can often twitch at night while in bed, something called Restless Leg Syndrome. These symptoms are usually treated with a mild anti-convulsive.

Although your symptoms are very likely AS related, I think you may benefit from receiving an evaluation from a neurologist. If you go, don't be shy about providing a complete history of your AS related issues.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Mike






One can never get any but a loose and ignorant notion of such things except by experience.

~ Mark Twain on the subject of pain

Kerry Hi!

I have had finger involvement for years now to the point where the middle finger on my right hand goes white and stiff. The Rhemy told me it is thickening due to AS at the base of the finger. I also get arm weakness and tremor, but only occassionally. When the finger thing happens it can last for weeks (just like a flare ) and raising my arm up, say to dry my hair with the dryer is plagued with many stops and starts.

I agree with the thickening theory, but I personally believe there is alot of nerve involvement also. All part of the joy of AS.


Good Luck and relief.


Cheers


Irene

There is always someone worse off than me!

Would George's magic Farbaloc help? It is kinda wacky.. but you never know, maybe..
here is the thread:
https://www.kickas.org/cgi-bin/w3t/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=support1&Number=98767

"So long and thanks for all the fish" - Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy

Mine is the worst in my neck, since my twenties, and I'm in my late forties now, but I'm female. Don't despair, but get someone(like a doctor) to get you to a competant physical therapist so you can strengthen the affected muscles. The stronger you are, the less strain on what you have. I do things now that I couldn't even dream of 15 years ago. Not only did I have the tremors but so much weakness I couldn't get my arms up higher than shoulder height. Now I am nearly normal strength (for a woman of my age....grrrrr....smack that doctor) but still clumsy. My goal is to pass for "normal" for as long as possible to the untrained eye. But you guys would catch me right away faking it because I always 2-hand my coffee cups! And I hate writing checks so bad at the stores (bad neck angle screws my pen grip and steadiness) I pay cash as often as possible. Most people don't even think of these things.