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Question for you all regarding my hands and feet lately:
xperky posted:
A couple days ago I looked down while making a fist and was surprised to see my knuckles large and boney looking. They are just a little red, but the tendons and bones are showing through. It's as if I've grown bigger bones over a few days or weeks. Both hands are affected but the right more than the left. I've also had hand pain when doing things like squeezing the dish cloth, opening a can, auto gear shifting, etc.
My feet are also more painful than usual and the whole toe area burns when I lay in bed. A couple toe metatarsal joints are red and have sharp pain.
Fatigue and stiffness have been increased over the last two weeks as well. Other larger joints are painful too, but I don't know what's FM and what might be RA.
I'm 52, was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 1.5 years ago, and possible RA last year. I've been taking 15mg Meloxicam for 10 months, and Tramadol for two years. The Meloxicam was for toe swelling and pain last summer. It has helped a lot.
My questions are: should I go to my doctor to have blood tests run while I have these new symptoms? Should I wait and see how it goes? I have an appointment with my rheumy in two months.
Does this ring a bell with anyone? My hands just don't look like mine...LOL!
Thanks in advance for all your input. I've been reading your posts over the last year and know that some of you are quite knowlegeable about RA testing. Sorry you all are suffering so much, but glad to read that some medicines are working well.
My feet are also more painful than usual and the whole toe area burns when I lay in bed. A couple toe metatarsal joints are red and have sharp pain.
Fatigue and stiffness have been increased over the last two weeks as well. Other larger joints are painful too, but I don't know what's FM and what might be RA.
I'm 52, was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 1.5 years ago, and possible RA last year. I've been taking 15mg Meloxicam for 10 months, and Tramadol for two years. The Meloxicam was for toe swelling and pain last summer. It has helped a lot.
My questions are: should I go to my doctor to have blood tests run while I have these new symptoms? Should I wait and see how it goes? I have an appointment with my rheumy in two months.
Does this ring a bell with anyone? My hands just don't look like mine...LOL!
Thanks in advance for all your input. I've been reading your posts over the last year and know that some of you are quite knowlegeable about RA testing. Sorry you all are suffering so much, but glad to read that some medicines are working well.
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Question for you all regarding my hands and feet lately:A couple days ago I looked down while making a fist and was surprised to see my knuckles large and boney looking. They are just a little red, but the tendons and bones are showing through. It's as if I've grown bigger bones over a few days or weeks. Both hands are affected but the right more than the left. I've also had hand pain when doing things like squeezing the dish cloth, opening a can, auto gear shifting, etc.<br /> <br />My feet are also more painful than usual and the whole toe area burns when I lay in bed. A couple toe metatarsal joints are red and have sharp pain.<br /> <br />Fatigue and stiffness have been increased over the last two weeks as well. Other larger joints are painful too, but I don't know what's FM and what might be RA.<br /> <br />I'm 52, was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 1.5 years ago, and possible RA last year. I've been taking 15mg Meloxicam for 10 months, and Tramadol for two years. The Meloxicam was for toe swelling and pain last summer. It has helped a lot.<br /> <br />My questions are: should I go to my doctor to have blood tests run while I have these new symptoms? Should I wait and see how it goes? I have an appointment with my rheumy in two months. <br /> <br />Does this ring a bell with anyone? My hands just don't look like mine...LOL!<br /> <br />Thanks in advance for all your input. I've been reading your posts over the last year and know that some of you are quite knowlegeable about RA testing. Sorry you all are suffering so much, but glad to read that some medicines are working well.
Scott Zashin, MD responded:
These finding would be atypical for FM. If one of my patients called with these symptoms, I would ask them to be come in for an evaluation to try to sort out what is causing the problem. Firal syndromes can cause unusual symptoms and may last a few months, but this is often a diagnosis of exclusion so I look for other conditons that might explain it, especially if it lhas lasted more than 6 weeks or is getting worse.
Report This| Share this:Question for you all regarding my hands and feet lately:These finding would be atypical for FM. If one of my patients called with these symptoms, I would ask them to be come in for an evaluation to try to sort out what is causing the problem. Firal syndromes can cause unusual symptoms and may last a few months, but this is often a diagnosis of exclusion so I look for other conditons that might explain it, especially if it lhas lasted more than 6 weeks or is getting worse.
xperky replied to Scott Zashin, MD's response:
Thanks, Dr Zashin, for taking the time to respond.
It sounds like I should call my doctor's office and ask to speak to the nurse. Hopefully, if I describe these symptoms she might try to work me in to an earlier appointment. I hate to do that though, because I don't want to appear like I'm in a state of panic. Last night was pretty bad painwise though, so I'm motivated!
I hope if I just wait, things will go back to normal, but I'm afraid that won't be the case.
It sounds like I should call my doctor's office and ask to speak to the nurse. Hopefully, if I describe these symptoms she might try to work me in to an earlier appointment. I hate to do that though, because I don't want to appear like I'm in a state of panic. Last night was pretty bad painwise though, so I'm motivated!
I hope if I just wait, things will go back to normal, but I'm afraid that won't be the case.
Report This| Share this:Question for you all regarding my hands and feet lately:Thanks, Dr Zashin, for taking the time to respond.<br /> <br />It sounds like I should call my doctor's office and ask to speak to the nurse. Hopefully, if I describe these symptoms she might try to work me in to an earlier appointment. I hate to do that though, because I don't want to appear like I'm in a state of panic. Last night was pretty bad painwise though, so I'm motivated!<br /> <br />I hope if I just wait, things will go back to normal, but I'm afraid that won't be the case.
xperky responded:
...and now these last few days my pinky fingers are sticking out and up when I straighten my fingers. Oh dear.
Report This| Share this:Question for you all regarding my hands and feet lately:...and now these last few days my pinky fingers are sticking out and up when I straighten my fingers. Oh dear.
Scott Zashin, MD responded:
Sometimes its hard to distinguish if symptoms are from RA or FM. Since you noted a change in your condition, it would be reasonable to schedule an earlier visit to get it evaluated. In general, redness is not a typical finding in FM nor is enlarged knuckles.
Report This| Share this:Question for you all regarding my hands and feet lately:Sometimes its hard to distinguish if symptoms are from RA or FM. Since you noted a change in your condition, it would be reasonable to schedule an earlier visit to get it evaluated. In general, redness is not a typical finding in FM nor is enlarged knuckles.
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