soft tissue pain where thumb attaches

[trc1962]

The last few weeks my hands and feet have been hurting a lot and makes them hard to use, especially the cartilage that attaches my thumb to my hand. Does anybody else get this and if so what is it? Besides that it has been hurting between my scapula the same way. My diagnosis is "Sjogren's seronegative." My soft tissues hurt a lot and I have had neuropathy off and on for years, most likely small fiber. It has bothered my face lately (the neuropathy) as my forehead muscle moves/contracts and my left eye twitches. My rheumy is trying to squeeze me in this week.

Meds: prednisone 1 mg
                           Mycophenolate sodium 2000 mg daily
                           Spironolactone 200 mg
                           

[angeldancer]

Thank you for sharing this.  I have very much similar pain.  Two weeks ago I went to my Rheumy and literally he dismissed my complaints.  He said to take Arava (my new med) but did not want to do any testing for anything.  Today I am calling my primary doctor and will have to get in to see a new rheumy and neurologist.  It is quite aggravating to be in constant pain but not able to have relief.  I'm grateful that I am not in a horrible flare because I will be completely bedridden.  Please let us know what you find out and I am sure those that have gotten diagnoses will chime in.

Angeldancer

[Joe S.]

My hands and feet are affected by neuropathy and Raynaulds. Wearing compression gloves and socks helps. I wear the compression ware at night with the seams out so they do not bring other issues. For muscle cramps magnesium helps. Severe charlie horses can bring on a heart attack.

I hope that this helps.

[trc1962]

Thanks for replies. Some days it isn't too bad and other days it is not so good. All I know is in 2004 I was started on Imuran and in 4 months I felt very close to my old self. It lasted for 6 years and then the dosage had to be upped and it caused my liver to struggle, so had to quit it. The rheumy said methotrexate or cellcept and I took the cellcept as I know 2 ladies that couldn't take the methotrexate and work with the fatigue. The biggest thing for me is getting enough sleep and not stressing, easier said than done for sure.

[Carolina]

I was diagnosed with Carpal Metacarpal Syndrome.  The Thumb rotates on a small flat bone (at the base of the thumb).  When that bone became damaged the pain was so horrific that I couldn't sign my name.  One night the area throbbed once every ten seconds for four hours.

I had the surgery (outpatient).  The doctors removes the damaged bone and replaces it (in my case with part of a tendon from my wrist).  The thumb then rotates on the tendon and the pain is gone.

The doctor cast my hand, with a pin to stabilize the thumb.  After the cast was removed, I had Occupational Therapy to regain strength in my hand.  My hand was 'stronger than normal' at the end of the therapy.   

I opted for the surgery because:

1) The Surgery always works
2) The Surgery never has to be done again.

Some times with Carpal Metacarpal Syndrome the bone deteriorates to the state where it no longer irritates the tissue.  This is a sort of 'burning out'.  I wasn't in any mood to wait for this.  So had the surgery.

Of course, your pain may be caused by other problems. 

Regards,  Elaine

[Jenny]

 I have had the same surgery as Elaine in both of my thumbs joints.  It was very successful. Try googling CMC joint surgery.