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finger issues update
At my appointment yesterday, the doctor ordered some x-rays of my hands, as well as some blood tests (after I suggested them).
The bloodwork I had done last year showed a very low CRP level (rheumatoid arthritis is associated with high levels). But that was before I started having these problems, and I'm still not sure how trustworthy those results are, as I ordered the tests over the internet. So I'm curious both about that and my rheumatoid factor level.
http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/7/1387
"Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, C-Reactive Protein, or Rheumatoid Factor Are Normal at Presentation in 35%–45% of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis"
So even if my levels are low, it still won't rule out RA.
The doctor suggested that I might have carpal tunnel syndrome, and wanted me to try wearing wrist splints. But that seems dubious to me, as my wrists haven't been achy, only the fingers. I've had achy wrists in the past, and still do occasionally*, but this finger issue seems different from that. I've also tried wearing wrist splints in the past, when I was having achy wrists; they were uncomfortable and I don't remember them helping any.
*it mostly happens when I've been very low on sleep (< 6 hrs) for a few days in a row.
But now that I've read more on carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, it doesn't sound that far-fetched. The possible symptoms include burning sensations in the fingers, difficulty forming a fist, and it being worse at night. I work on a computer for a living as well as in my spare time, so I do a lot of typing.
But I didn't feel any pain when the doctor pressed on my wrist, and I haven't had any numbness or tingling which seem to be the main symptoms. The burning/shooting pains that I have had have been local to the finger joints; they don't travel up my arm. So even though I'd much prefer to have CTS than RA, as it would be easier to treat, I still doubt that is what I have.
The side effects from rheumatoid arthritis medications can be significant (increased risk of infections and cancer, blurry vision, headaches, etc.) I already get headaches and my vision already often is strained and blurry, so I don't want more of that, nor more infections or cancer.
So even if a doctor eventually prescribes me any of those meds, I may not want to take them. Yet they say that if you don't treat RA early on, the damage can be permanent.
Methotrexate sounds like it is the DMARD most commonly prescribed, but I don't see a vegan version (without lactose) of the pills available in the U.S. Xatmep is an oral solution of methotrexate without lactose, but it isn't usually prescribed for RA.
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) has an extended-release version tablet without lactose. But this med sounds more dangerous than the others.
So I was feeling down before the appointment. I wasn't sure of the point of it. I'll try some more diet changes to see if that helps (more in next post). But at least I did get the blood tests done, and even x-rays which I hadn't thought of. Maybe if those show no issues**, I'll consider the wrist splints again.
**But I can even feel a bony bump on the side of my thumb joint; it's been there for a few years at least; I used to think it was only a callus but am pretty sure now it's more than that.
In the month before the appointment, I'd have days where I felt panicked about having my joints deteriorate, and not being able to do normal things anymore. (When I wake up at night it's hard turning a door handle or door knob - I have to use both hands. Not to mention pulling toilet paper from the roll.) I wouldn't be able to take care of the yards anymore (using the string trimmer was making my hands ache; though yesterday I did a lot of yard work without a problem besides mosquitos and sweating).
But then I think about how so many people have so many worse problems. This will probably turn out to be nothing.
The bloodwork I had done last year showed a very low CRP level (rheumatoid arthritis is associated with high levels). But that was before I started having these problems, and I'm still not sure how trustworthy those results are, as I ordered the tests over the internet. So I'm curious both about that and my rheumatoid factor level.
http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/7/1387
"Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, C-Reactive Protein, or Rheumatoid Factor Are Normal at Presentation in 35%–45% of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis"
So even if my levels are low, it still won't rule out RA.
The doctor suggested that I might have carpal tunnel syndrome, and wanted me to try wearing wrist splints. But that seems dubious to me, as my wrists haven't been achy, only the fingers. I've had achy wrists in the past, and still do occasionally*, but this finger issue seems different from that. I've also tried wearing wrist splints in the past, when I was having achy wrists; they were uncomfortable and I don't remember them helping any.
*it mostly happens when I've been very low on sleep (< 6 hrs) for a few days in a row.
But now that I've read more on carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, it doesn't sound that far-fetched. The possible symptoms include burning sensations in the fingers, difficulty forming a fist, and it being worse at night. I work on a computer for a living as well as in my spare time, so I do a lot of typing.
But I didn't feel any pain when the doctor pressed on my wrist, and I haven't had any numbness or tingling which seem to be the main symptoms. The burning/shooting pains that I have had have been local to the finger joints; they don't travel up my arm. So even though I'd much prefer to have CTS than RA, as it would be easier to treat, I still doubt that is what I have.
The side effects from rheumatoid arthritis medications can be significant (increased risk of infections and cancer, blurry vision, headaches, etc.) I already get headaches and my vision already often is strained and blurry, so I don't want more of that, nor more infections or cancer.
So even if a doctor eventually prescribes me any of those meds, I may not want to take them. Yet they say that if you don't treat RA early on, the damage can be permanent.
Methotrexate sounds like it is the DMARD most commonly prescribed, but I don't see a vegan version (without lactose) of the pills available in the U.S. Xatmep is an oral solution of methotrexate without lactose, but it isn't usually prescribed for RA.
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) has an extended-release version tablet without lactose. But this med sounds more dangerous than the others.
So I was feeling down before the appointment. I wasn't sure of the point of it. I'll try some more diet changes to see if that helps (more in next post). But at least I did get the blood tests done, and even x-rays which I hadn't thought of. Maybe if those show no issues**, I'll consider the wrist splints again.
**But I can even feel a bony bump on the side of my thumb joint; it's been there for a few years at least; I used to think it was only a callus but am pretty sure now it's more than that.
In the month before the appointment, I'd have days where I felt panicked about having my joints deteriorate, and not being able to do normal things anymore. (When I wake up at night it's hard turning a door handle or door knob - I have to use both hands. Not to mention pulling toilet paper from the roll.) I wouldn't be able to take care of the yards anymore (using the string trimmer was making my hands ache; though yesterday I did a lot of yard work without a problem besides mosquitos and sweating).
But then I think about how so many people have so many worse problems. This will probably turn out to be nothing.