First post - mysterious finger neuropathy

01-09-2018, 02:45 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm a first time poster and am hoping that some of you may be able to help shed light on a mysterious neuropathic pain which I've suffered for over a decade now. I have seen various specialists - GPs, orthopedic surgeons and a rheumatologist - none of whom has been able to explain or name my pain (I have had physical examinations, x-rays and blood work done). However, four years ago the rheumatologist prescribed amitriptyline which has given me back my hands. I currently take 125mg at night, ad have taken 150mg at times over the years.The rheumatologist was unable to explain the pain beyond suggesting that my brain was misinterpreting/manufacturing pain signals when it shouldn't.

I first noticed the pain in 2006 when my fingers became stiff playing video games. In time I noticed it while typing (I do desk and computer based work, so type every day), reading (holding books) and holding remote controls (e.g. TV). While the amitriptyline makes the pain manageable - for which I am infinitely grateful - I would love to be drug-free at some point if possible, or to use a drug designed for such pain rather than for depression. Even better would be to locate the cause of the pain and address it - I remain unable to type or hold a book for more than a few minutes at a time.

Have any of you experienced such pain, and/or do you have any thoughts on how I might better understand or address it?

Thanks so much!

01-09-2018, 07:09 AM

Welcome to the board. Are the symptoms in both hands more-or-less equally?

Is the pain in all fingers and thumbs?

01-09-2018, 11:41 PM

Thank you for the reply, Teteri66! Yes, I would say that I experience the pain in both hands and all fingers and thumbs. The severity differs between fingers but I experience it as rendering the whole hand uncomfortable/painful/somewhat disabled once the pain/stiffness kicks in. The worst pain is in my right thumb, probably because I use it most when typing (space bar) and because I used to use it to type on my cellphone. I am now generally unable to use my thumbs on my phone and instead use Google's swipe keyboard (and voice assistant) so that I don't have to lift my finger as much when typing.

I should say that the pain is more of a dull ache/stiffness than anything sharp.

Does any of this sound familiar to you?

01-11-2018, 06:57 AM

It all sounds like an over-use injury caused by repetitious movement. However, I would have thought the rheumatologist would have found this...so it must be something else!

You might want to try acupuncture. I go for my back but when my right thumb joint hurts from using my IPad too much, I have him needle my thumb and it always helps.

Does taking a NSAID like Aleve help any?

01-11-2018, 07:14 AM

Thanks for the advice, T. The very first orthopedic surgeon I saw (a foot and hand expert) thought it was a repetitive strain injury and referred me to a physiotherapist working in the same foot and hand unit. The physio didn't agree with the doctor's diagnosis but gave me some exercises to do anyway. Sadly, they didn't help.

I also booked an appointment with an acupuncturist some years ago but once I'd described my condition they opted to massage by forearms rather than use needles. This provided some relief, but I think it only lasted a few hours or a day.

I'm not sure if they were NSAIDs but for the first few years the only thing doctors suggested (after the physio fail) were prescription anti-inflammatory drugs. I tried a couple but they had no effect.

Perhaps I should try needling...thank you!

First post - mysterious finger neuropathy

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