I am new at this message board and I am looking for someone's help.

I am in the process of seeing a 2nd doctor. I'm female, 39 years old. My thumbs bend but turning to the outside of my hands, don't hurt. My forefinger, center knuckle has enlarged and is stiff and sore. I get twinges of pain in my feet. If I sleep on my stomach to long at night, the next morning my husband has to help me out of bed. I bleed under my skin if I hit or scratch my hands or forearms and bruise more easily all over. I am extremely faigued and sometimes weak. When to a fair a couple of weeks ago. It was hot and humid. My leg kinda gave way and I could walk right. I kinda drug it. My great-aunt had Rheumatoid arthritis. My wrists ache with pain running up my arms. Doctor said that I had carpal tunnel.

Does anyone know if I could possibly have some type of arthritis or possibly Rheumatoid Arthritis with the symptoms I described? Thanks!

[This message has been edited by loveyorkies2002 (edited 08-23-2002).]

First off, Im sorry that your in so much pain! I can relate! I too have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. So severe, in fact, that my hands become so weak that I am unable to make a fist because of the nerve impulses just dont get through. Ive had xrays and nerve tests done and both concluded so. However, I just got diagnosed with Sero-Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis at about the same time. My hand specialist told me that he thought the carpal tunnel was aggrivated by the arthritis and that once I got the arthritis calmed down to see him if I still felt I had probs with the Carpal Tunnel.

On top of that, my feet and knees were affected by the arthritis to the point where getting up and out of a straight chair was near impossible. Going down stairs took me forever, one-at-a-time. And I live on the 3rd floor! Walking on ground that wasnt level (or concrete) was murder! I was consciously aware of every single step I took. Getting out of bed in the morning was complete agony. I would cry all the time. The minute my feet touched the ground the pain would start. It was like the only time my body didnt hurt was when I was in bed. I am 27 years old and felt like I was living in an 87 year-old body. What a way to live!

Two weeks ago I started Prednisone (20mg a day) and what a relief! Within a matter of days I was starting to feel a little better. Now Im feeling much better. My feet still bother me sometimes, I can still feel the stiffness in there, but its nowhere near what it was. I can get out of the shower without fear of falling, although I still cant take a tub bath.

My fingers were starting to curl up but are now starting to straighten out again. My knuckles are still swollen, but are getting better. Each day is different. My knees and elbows havent bothered me since Ive been on the Prednisone. Its helped tremendously.

Something you might want to consider when you go see a Rheumatologist is to take someone with you, someone that has seen you live with this condition and how its changed your life since. To me, this made the doctor more aware that I wasnt just complaining because of pain. It affected my whole life, my job, my relationships, not to mention my quality of life. I think that by having people go with me, he realized that my case was rather severe. And thus, he started an aggressive treatment.

The best thing you can do is to follow your treatment to a T.. dont miss a dose of medicine, get plenty of rest, and be sure not to do more than you can or your body will let you know and you'll pay for it.

If you do have arthritis, your physician will probably do a run of blood tests and will probably put you on some medicine. I tried many drugs while I went through all the testing... Celebrex, Vioxx, Naproxen, Relafen, etc. (most of which were prescribed by my general doctor while I was waiting to be seen by a Rheumatologist). But nothing really helped until I saw the Rheumie. The Prednisone was what made me feel better.

I started taking it 2 weeks ago along with another medicine which had to build up in your system before it will even start to work, but unfortunately Ive become allergic to it (now that its starting to build up) and so as of yesterday Ive stopped everything except the Prednisone. That I doubled. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif And today my Rheumie started me on a new medicine, which is supposed to be really good. We'll see. It takes 1-2 months to build up, which is why Im on the Prednisone.

The best thing for you is to get seen by a Rheumatologist as soon as possible. They will make you feel good. And remember, that if you dont test positive for Rheumatoid Arthritis it doesnt mean you may not have it. For me, Sero-Negative is good news! It means my organs arent affected, just my joints, and the possibility of it going into remission is greater.

If you do have RA, the best thing you can do is to decrease stress in your life, exercise and follow your treatment plan to a T. I hope this has helped a little. I do know what its like to live in pain and not be able to do small things for yourself like open coke bottles or your own front door. There are a lot of people on this board and they are very supportive!

I hope you start to feel better soon! Hang in there!

Meg

By the way, the easy bruising can be caused from the Arthritis. I just read about that this morning. People with RA tend to be more anemic, which causes easy bruising, weakness, fatigue, etc.

My doctor suggested I take a multi-vitamin (or prenatal pills which are higher in folic acid) to ensure I get enough vitamins while Im on treatment. You might want to ask about a supplement or vitamin to help with the anemia.

Best of luck!

Meg

Thanks Meg. I truly, truly appreciate your response. I found this message board and started typing. I should have read it first. I really felt stupid when I remembered that I had written on the board and all these other people were having the same symptoms. I didn't figure that I would hear from anyone cause I had asked the same questions again. You are such a kind person to respond and make me feel a lot better.

I feel relieved in some respects. Now I know that all these aches and pains aren't in my head. I just thought that I was growing older and this was what I was to expect.

I have always been in good health. I wouldn't have thought anything except for the bruising on my hands and arms and when my leg wouldn't work when my family and I went to the fair. I got concerned. My Mom has the same bruising but she takes medication that enduces her's. And my best friend has MS and has a hard time walking sometimes. So I was thinking all kinds of things. I go back to the doctor next week to talk about my blood test. I'm going to have him test for RA if he hasn't. Thanks again.

Meg, do you have braces for your carpal tunnel? I went to the orthopedic shop and got fitted for them. The braces lace up and velcro with a metal plate that keeps your wrist straight. When my carpal tunnel flares up, I put those braces on and within 2 days, I can take them off. Hope this helps.

I read your profile. Good luck on your wedding planning. It's a lot of work so take it easy.

Dont ever feel like you cant post! We all might have the same disease and some similar symptoms, but each case is different and there is always someone here who can relate, which helps when your just trying to vent. I look at this board each day just for that reason.

You mentioned the braces for CTS, yes I have them too and they do work, but then I get frustrated because it prevents me from doing some things. I am finding that the Prednisone is helping the swelling go down, which in turn is allowing my wrists to be a little more flexible. I used to not be able to bend them at all without pain, but now they are getting easier. I guess it just has to work itself out.

Anyway, please dont hesitate to ask questions and such, thats what the boards are for! Hope you start to feel better soon!

Meg