Guest guest Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 Hello Everyone- I am a new member. I have had psoriasis for 20 years. It is somewhat under control and I have not used anything for the last 10 years. Not too much worked for me. In the past 9 months, I started having terrible pains in both hands and numbness in the fingers. I was first diagnosed with carpel tunnel in both hands. This was before any x-rays or tests. After an EMG and x-rays, I was told it is not that severe and only in my right hand. The left hand looked like the start of arthritis. This doc gave me a shot of cortisone in the right hand that worked for about 3 weeks. After that, the pain started to come back, but in both hands. I had to go through the process of going to my PCP and had to talk him into letting me see a rheumatologist. Again, I had to go through blood work and x-rays. While awaiting the results, he put me on Prednisone. This reduced the inflammation for the first week. When I went back to the doc, he said he does not see any arthritis in the x-rays, blood work looks okay, but he said at times arthritis does not show up in x-rays. He diagnosed me having PA. He wanted to put me on methotrexate. I do not feel good about this drug. This doc could only recommend meds. I am not sure if there is anything else anyone can recommend? I am taking Glucosamine 3 a day, flaxseed pills, hot tubs, ice packs, and diclofenac (for inflammation). I have lost most of my strength in my hands. I am not sure if I am taking a risk by not taking methotrexate. I would appreciate feedback, suggestions, etc..Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 28, 2007 Report Share Posted September 28, 2007 Welcome ltldaf45, Sorry, but you didn't put your name. Cortisone & prendisone are great things, but the effects are temporary and should not be used as final treatment. I've written this many times before, and if you search posts for Methotrexate, you will see all the associated info on the drug, but yes it is a strong drug with several scary warnings, but typically treatment for PA or RA is done in doses that are very, very small in comparison to those for it's other uses, and MTX when administered in it's larger doses (like for cancer treatment) can be very traumatic and life altering effects, but for PA & RA, side effects are usually quite minimal. That said, some folks using for PA cannot tolerate the smaller doses and experience nausea, stomach issues and other side effects. You don't mention you age, sex, etc, but if you are woman within child bearing years and considering that you might want to conceive, that brings up a whole new set of concerns that ward you off of MTX. Otherwise, I suggest you try it. Most likely, you won't have side effects, but if you do they aren't very likely to be life threatening and can just stop taking it. And yes, the longer you go without treating your disease you are more likely to cause permanent bone damage. NSAIDS & steroids only treat the symptoms, not the disease. Stay Well, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 you have got to try the mtx if offered. all pain in my hands went away while i was on it. i did have high liver panels so i was taken off of it and we are trying different levels of sulphasalazine. my hands hurt! my next med to try will be the biologics this winter..... on the mtx my skin cleared up and my pain went away. also joint swelling was minimal. you have to try it. alot of people do just fine with it.....casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Hand curling up into a ball could be caused by impingement of motor nerves of the brachial plexus (includes radial, median (carpal tunnel nerve), ulnar nerves) anywhere between the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord (C4-T1) to the narrow thoracic outlet in the shoulder down to the wrist (carpel tunnel syndrome, although I didn't see balling up of hand listed as a symptom). My hands would fall asleep at night, but not curl up, from thoracic outlet syndrome. There is also a disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy syndrome that involves nerve tissue in the extremities and some of these patients talk about their hands balling up. Pain also accompanies this disorder. And usually there has been an injury but sometimes so slight that it was almost unnoticed. Rochelle > > so then could it be that my hand curling up into a ball while i'm sleeping is more from carpel tunnel instead of my neck problems? > > > > Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M. Forbes > > > > > > Â > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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