Date: 11.05.2010
From: Christine.
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Subject: Swelling fingers advice
Hi I mentioned on here the other day that I was worried about my hand/fingers swelling and was going to see my doctor. I saw him two weeks ago and he mentioned RA. I am just wondering, although my knuckles on one finger hurt, the finger is not red but a little tight from time to time and painful/stiff to bend. What is also puzzling me is that the swelling seems to be between the knuckles not on them - I am sure if I could get my ring back over the swelling it would sit happily on my finger if you see what I mean. Also my finger can feel fine one minute and really swollen/stiff the next.
Anyway, seeing doctor Thurs and also my osteopath for my back (different problem) so gonna ask her too. Worried tho as feet achy and have been for a while.
Thanks for listening - any advice welcome.
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Hi Christine. The swelling and pain is mainly on my right hand but I do get pain on the left as well. I can only explain the pain in the fingers as twisting if you know what I mean and very stiff. I also get swelling between the knuckles as well. Have you had an Ultra Sound Scan done on your fingers ? That was the only way my Rhuemie could see what was going on inside so to speak. Mine showed Synovitis of the knuckles. I call it " sausage " fingers beause that's what mine look like when in a flare and they never fully go back to " normal " after.
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: Christine.
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Hi KayJay, Not done anything yet as seeing doc for second time on Thursday. My finger on the right hand is like a sausage when it swells. The other is only the top knuckle (on other hand). Just been reading about Psorisic Arthritis (spelling??) - I have had psoriasis for approx 26 years just on elbows but fairly bad. Also my nails have been splitting for last few weeks and they say with that it affects your nails. Maybe it is that? Joints dont feel twisted just very stiff when I try to move them.
Roll on Thursday so I can see doc - hope they understanding.
Thanks for replying.
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Okay Christine - hope you get a firm answer with the doc. My son had psoriasis when he was younger[ he seems to have grown out of it ] - but his grandad has it quite bad on elbows and knees. Sounds like you could have PA ? and if that is the case your GP should refer you to a Rheumatologist. I think some other members here have this they may be able to help you more. I have RA. Please let us know how you get on. TC XX
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: louloubelle
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Hi Christine - Me and my mum both have psoriatic arthritis. My mum gets "sausage fingers and toes" (that is actually the technical term KayJay lol). Hers do come up really fiery red and hot though but the swelling is over the whole finger and not just a lump on her knuckles. I've only got pa in my little finger (mine only usually affects the large joints). It feels stiff more than painful and when it flares up I am unable to bend it at all. One of the key characteristics of PA is pitted nails - it looks like the nails have been hit repeatedly with a nail. Also ridging and, in my mum's case, lifting of the nail. It deffo sounds like you have psoriatic and not rheumatoid but they are extremely similar and are treated in the same way - even after 21 years of PA they are still not convinced that it isn't RA as well. Hope you get your diagnosis soon as the sooner you're diagnosed the sooner you can get the right treatment. Lou x
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: Christine.
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Thanks louloubelle, Both thumb nails have ridges but not the others but been flaking a lot lately - my nails are usually tough. Thing is my finger, although swollen, is not red or hot. Is PA not as serious as RA? Just hope doc takes me seriously. I was also diagnosed with plantar something in my feet - where large muscle is inflammed but doc said at the time it was unusual to get it in both feet. That was a couple of years ago and I could barely walk - now wondering if this was not that at all and could it be connected to this.
AAHHH - having a Reiki healing tonight and sooooo looking forward to it.
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: louloubelle
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Generally, PA is usually "fairly" mild but my mum and I have both been fairly unlucky (I had to have both hips replaced aged 21 and 22 - I'm now 30). I also think the people with PA that are on this forum also have it pretty bad too. Mind you, I have been on a medication called etanercept (also known as enbrel) which has alleviated all symptoms but you have to have taken a couple of other meds without success and go through a tricky screening process before they let you have it. I bet reiki healing is amazing - i've tried to persuade my sister to train as, when my PA is bad she can lay her hands on the joint and take away a lot of the pain - she has the most amazing healing hands. But, as a practice nurse, she doesn't think it would be right to do reiki alongside traditional medicine :(
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Girls I don't see how the medical profession can discount alternative therapies when they work ? Anything that helps alleviate pain must be an asset.If only they personally knew your pain and how Reiki helps they might then have a very different view !!
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: Christine.
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
I had a inflammed facet joint in my back and a Reiki master literally pulled the inflammation from my back. I felt him tapping at it then about 5 mins later the pain was awful. Another 5 mins past and it all went away - wonderful. I was attuned in Reiki 1 on March 6th but due to bad back and now hands I have not been able to practice. I will enjoy tonight. Thanks for your replies.
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: louloubelle
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
I know what you mean KayJay - my sister knows that placing hands on my joints work 'cos she gets a weird electric shock feeling through her fingers. I get an unusual sensation too which is like the really comfortable feeling you get in your body when you're just about to drop to sleep but just in the place! I think with my sister, it might be her fiance's influence that prevents her going ahead - he's a right miserable old bar steward!!!
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
HeHe loulou - men - they just don't get it do they ???
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
OOOPS..... not been very PC - I should say SOME Men - not all ;0)
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: louloubelle
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
think you may have been right with your non-pc comment lol
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Date: 12.05.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Swelling fingers advice
Hi Christine, I have PA also. Before i'd even heard of it or had symptoms my nails were pitted, ridged and lifting. Sometimes as far down as the base. And I had sausage toes and apparently these two things are key. I even had steroid injections into my nail beds (awful experience) to help my nails and nothing was said. I now have full blown PA in both wrists and hands, all my fingers, feet, ankles, back, knees, tendons in left foot and tendons from heel to back of knee is right leg. Am on mtx shots, steroids, morphine and soon Remicade. It's no picnic and I was Only diagnosed 9months ago. It does sound like you have it unfortunately but push to see a Rheumy hun and get it sorted. Keep us posted. Go well X
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