Wrist and thumb problems

[Guest guest]

i am having a lot of problems with my hands and feet since August

I had to have my right knee drained last month and that was

excruciating before it was drained

I have had alot of problems consistently with my right elbow and wrist

to the point of having my wrist lock up and a lot of pain in the

thumb,wrist area and also waking up with having my hand in a claw like

position on this right side and eventually loosening up but causing

pain all month at different levels to shooting,a dull ache or pain

with movement at all. It isnt swollen at all and it seems to be some

how more tendinitis which lately has been chronic also

luckily I am at my rheumatoligist Thursday and go every month

My blood tests are fine and the pain I have in my feet and hands

feels a lot like they did when I first got sik 6 years ago

I have been complaining about this for a few months to my Rheumy and

last month he gave me mobic but none of these have ever worked for me

except Vioxx

I am wondering if anyone has any other incite or ideas about this

I use ice and heat all the time but I have to feel there is something

happening. I have been on enbrel for 5 years and also arava. I also

have a duragesic patch for the pain along with norco to use also when

needed

I was put on lyrica for fibro a while ago but I have slowly gone off

of it because it made me so tired all the time. I also am on provigil

for the fibro which really helps with the tiredness for the PA and fibro

I walk every a day along with yoga(stretching) and also have a

chiropractor who does physical therapy with me

I am on tons of supplements (Flax,borage,fish,MSM,calcium,Move free

advanced, multi, CQ10),etc.. along with a vegetarian diet.

I dont smoke or drink...

I hope someone can give me some more ideas or advice

Or something else I can bring to the table to discuss with my

Rheumatoligist

Thanks ,

June

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 17/10/2006 15:06:18 GMT Standard Time,

Juneon@... writes:

I have had alot of problems consistently with my right elbow and wrist

to the point of having my wrist lock up and a lot of pain in the

thumb,wrist area

Hi June,

I have had the same thing (sounds like) going on with both wrists. The right

has very little movement left in it now and the left is about half way towards

seizing but the progression has slowed down since my Rheumy added Enbrel to

the MTX that I was already on. As you say the pain was absolutely excruciating.

(My favourite expression used to be, 'AAAAAAAAAHHHHH! DON'T TOUCH MY HANDS!'

lol) X-rays show obvious damage to both wrists but especially the right one.

I no longer suffer as much pain, in the right wrist in particular. The thumb

of my right hand is where I am having most trouble just now. I have the

mutilans version of this disease although it will not be the worst case anyone

has

ever had. It has already destroyed two of my lesser fingers. Pinkie on right

hand, ring finger on left and has got to the half way stage with the pinkie of

my

left hand. These fingers are useless now but not really too important in

every day life but I do need my thumb lol so I hope it doesn't get to that

stage.

At least my elbow don't give me too much bother so, 'NA na, na, na, na' lol

Seriously though, I hope you and your Rheumy can find something that will

help. If you have not already tried them, I would say, 'This is a job for

SUUUUUUUUPERDRUUUUUUGS' ............................I know, I said I was going

to be

serious. lol Actually I am though, I don't know how you feel about the

biologics and whether you can afford them ok the way it works in the US but that

might be the way to go. It has helped me.

Good luck,

PS: June, I just read a later post from you where you say that Enbrel saved

your life so that answers my question and sort of shoots down my suggestion to

you too. lol Are you still on Enbrel or did you have to stop it?

PPS: Just reread the original mail and you do say you have been on Enbrel for

five years....................Just ignore me..........................I'm

stupid! lol