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.
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
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