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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 10/10/2012 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
How does RA deform the hands? Just this past week my ring finger is crossing over the bigger finger next to it, this has never happened to me before
and the crossing seems to be getting progressive and doesn't matter how I hold my hands out out not, my ring finger just crosses over the top
of the other finger, seems weird, but I also have a bit more pain with that finger as well...The weather here is bouncing up and down, cool days
to back to hot days...sure do hate that...Anyone have problems like this with RA or is it not RA related? was just wondering...
I see my RA doc again in November...Many well wishes...
Posted 10/10/2012 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Oh dear, I'm so sorry, but yes I think it is a symptom.  I've looked at my hands recently, and if I hold my hands straight out, my pointer finger turns in towards my middle finger, it is worse on my left hand, to the point they touch, so at some point they may look like yours crossing over...I think we have all seen those pictures of hands with RA, but we don't expect ours to look like *that*! I haven't really given much thought until your post. I guess I always thought that was for those who didn't get early enough treatment, meaning you see it on much older individuals. I sought treatment from the get go, yet my hands (and feet) are starting to look RAish. I would ask your rheumy just for clarification.
Posted 10/11/2012 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chartreux:

I also am sorry that you are experiencing these finger/digit deformities. Although it is very important to start medication and physical therapy treatment as soon as possible, RA is a progressive disease. Deformities will happen to a large percentage of Patients although they may happen, many years in the future. Depends how well the medications, etc work and how aggressive the RA is. There are some who stay in remission for a long time where little or no active deterioration occurs. There are surgeries that can be done on the hands and fingers to correct the disfigurements.

I have seen many photoes too but I can't say that I've seen one where one finger crosses over the other. I have seen the pointer finger that drifts away from the thumb along with the other fingers, as I have. I have also seen photos of fingers twisted in awkward positions. So yours certainly can be the case also. Your Rheumy knows as Mom mentioned.

My meds plus other drugs pretty well stopped working in 2005 shortly after my Bro died. Then 2 years later, I noticed many of the digits in my fingers/hands getting the nodules on them. Later, my pointer finger on my right hand started to slightly drift away from my thumb while pushing my other fingers in the same direction. I have nodules on my left hand digits but no drifting yet. The bones in my feet are causing me pain when I walk. That's why I wear custom insoles in my shoes. I have had RA for a long time though, so I'm not surprised.

Sorry to say, there are alot of us in the same boat.
Posted 10/11/2012 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Ulnar drift is a symptom. One thing you can do is go to a hand therapist (OT usually, PT sometimes) to get ring splints. They can be quite pretty and they hold your fingers in a more normal position.
Posted 10/11/2012 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Char, a friend with RA has very deformed hands but she was told it shouldn't happen these days as our meds are suppose to stop it. So I would definately see your rheumy ad see if there is anything that can be done. I know I had special splints cast of my hands and wrists for sleeping in when my pain gets bad, they just velcro on.

So there may be something that could be made for you or a med adjustment. Let us know how you go.

Best wishes, golitho

Posted 10/12/2012 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, I see my Rheumy again in November so have to wait until then, but I will ask about PT so they can then get me the splints.
my last rheumy appointment went dismal, but that was way back in July.
Posted 10/24/2012 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Arg...I'm so swollen today, we have weather changes coming and I'm feeling it big time....
Hurt and Swollen and my right hand hurts to move because it's swollen....life sucks...
darn it..my rheumy appointment is November 2 and I wish it was sooner.
Posted 10/25/2012 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear about this Char.
If I were you- I wouldn't wait til your next rheumy appt.- I'd call and report this change. Maybe they will step up your appt. and want to change meds.
Keep us posted- I wish you all the best!
Posted 10/25/2012 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah can't you ask for a cancellation. I can do that when I'm bad with my rheumy. sounds like those hands don't want to wait. Its so hard when your hands go because you can't hold anything. Toothbrushes, knives, forks they all become impossible, even getting dressed. I hate it when my hands flare mabe you need a short burst of medrol to settle them down. 3 days of 50mg or something.
Hopefully your rheumy will respond. Tell them you're flaring.
thinking of you, golitho
Posted 10/25/2012 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi yes this is a problem i think i mentioned a little while ago about fingers swaying or bending, early on i was given some hand excersizes buy the OT i think these helped keep them good for a long time

i'd definatly get them checked out

it's hard to describe the excersizes but heres some;

  •  lay hand flat on table then one by one move each finger to the right(by their own power dont physicaly pick them up) and actually slide them rather than a pick up lift across, till all across a little way then move them back one by one
  • then again hand flat and make a scoop up bring fingers sliding up till hand forms a v on table
  • and the easiest touch each finger to thumb then back so index finger to thumb till little finger to thunb then reverse little finger to thunb then ring finger etc  like you are druming

Good Luck and pop in to your Doctor so you can catch any change early 

 

Posted 10/25/2012 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I will try those exercises...and probably no luck getting seen any sooner than next Friday November 2.

and on another note my endocrin doc called yesterday and said I'm now perimenopause......the night sweats plus having four cats around me at night while I'm sleeping makes for fun...I'm keeping the thermostat at 74 to sleep at night....that helps...
Posted 10/26/2012 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
tongue  Ha i know Exactly i have my cat sleep in bed and some nights i litteraly Peel him off me as he is Soaking wet from my night sweats, Yuck
Posted 11/1/2012 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Goodluck Char for the 2nd. Hope you're not near Hurricaine Sandy.
Hope your rheumy can help with your fingers.
Thinking of you, golitho turn

PS. I went on HRT. I couldn't manage without my low dose estrogen.

Posted 11/3/2012 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Appointment today went better than last visit. Actually saw the doctor, and I'm going to try prescribe folic acid and then to try restarting methotrexate. Going to go slowly with both meds so I can become used to them. For me its injectible mtx ( methotrexate). And to use surgerical tape on my crossed fingers, he said no need to see a surgeon yet and I hope this will help. It was my Birthday today and I spent a few hours at the International quilt show in Houston and then out to eat, but I'm tired now and will rest up tomorrow. My mind is at ease and I' m in good spirits for a change and hope I can keep this lingering..will posts back later.
Posted 11/4/2012 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Oh I'm so pleased that you got some good advice. Hope the tape helps, as I said my OT has made me work splints and resting splints with velcro and that helps me when my hands are bad. I've also had laser treatment to help with the tendons in the past.
Lets hope you manage the mtx this time.
Thinking of you, golitho
Posted 11/8/2012 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Got sick darn it specialists today said early strep in works in my throat and I told him I needed to be better soon, so we agreed for the antibotic, however pharmacy was out of it so waiting and I'm ever so so and very achey, my knee hurts so very much, can't even play good with my kitties. I hate being sick have a slight fever for me 99.9 my usual temps run 97.4, so for me 99. is fever range...and why do they keep it blasted cold in these places, was frozen, literally...gotta go headaches is bad...
Thinking of everyone, prayers from me to y'all...
Posted 11/8/2012 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Had a bad night. Hate being sick.
Posted 11/8/2012 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Dearest Char, I am sending you all my healing energy. Hope you get those anti biotics quick and they start to work for you immediately. Lots of fluids now, keep yourself tucked up. Have you got someone to bring you soups etc?

Look after yourself, heart goes out to you, best wishes, golitho

Posted 11/9/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Finally got medicines late last night, having pharmacy troubles and had to send a complaint thru the BBB, as I'm so mad at them, they were supposed to order my antibotic and never did, so my hubby had to late last night go to another pharmacy way across town to pick up my script...this is the 2nd time I've had troubles.
Hope the antibotic kicks in soon...
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