Pains in hands/arms and feet help

lupin15

Newish to this site and need some advice.
Pains started in Hip and lower back..Now my hands and feet and decided to join in. I can use them but i have constant pain/background aching and like short stabs of pain like electric shock pains in my hands and feet(no swelling or redness). Is this normal??? Also get same elcetric shock pains in my back passage area. Still at the early stages and waiting for blood test to come back to see what my markers are???? i supose they are checking for rheumatoid arthur?? :? :? :? :? :? :? I know that i have OA from Xrays but understand from this site there is over 200 types.... I am assuming that this is a long track to find out what you have and just wonder what information others may have.

woodbon

Hello Glad you've joined us! It sounds as if the doctor is looking to see if ra or anything else in your blood is causing the problem.

You are right to say that it can take a lot of time and tests, xrays etc to find out whats going on, but thats not always the case, quite often something can be found and treated quickly. I have OA in quite a few joints. I expect your GP has given you some painkillers, if not and you are having a lot of pain then do go back, their are lots of painkillers and things that can make life more bareable. I hope you soon get a diagnosis and the right treatment for you. Love Sue

lupin15

Hi Sue
Not on any pain killers yet..have problem with stomach that they are trying to sort??? before they give me pain relief...using ten machine at present. Have high pain threshold and use to not sleeping well so just getting on with it at present. Must admit the hand pains are harder to ignore than the hip. I am sure it will get sorted. Do you get electric shock type of pains?

tillytop

Hi Lupin

Sorry you are struggling so much at the moment.

You ask about stabbing pains - I have RA and have experienced what you call "electric shock" type pains, both within specific joints and up and down arms and legs so I know what you mean.

In terms of painkillers - it does sound as if you need some pain relief and, if you can't take either anti-inflamms or painkillers due to your stomach, had you considered asking if they will give you some painkilling patches perhaps so you could get some relief without the drugs affecting your stomach?

Diagnosis can take some time, but hopefully the investigations will move forward quickly so that you can get some help. If the bloods come back negative for rheumatoid factor, do still push for a rheumatology referral because rheumatoid factor results do not confirm, on their own, whether you have RA or not.

Thinking of you,

Love Tilly xxx

frogmorton

Hi Lupin

You poor thing

- no medication at all except the tens :shock:

I agree with Tilly you need to go back as some meds are easier on the stomach than others - I have pain patches (butrans) and love them! Then I only add extra pain relief when I need to

I hope your appt is soon?

Think the shock type pains are nerves but the arthritis can be causing THAT you see.


Love

Toni xx

lupin15

I know this sounds stupid...my middle name sometimes but can arthur effect your stomach????? I do not mean the drugs just can it cause problems? Cannot bare the thought of another complaint/ illness have enough at present.

barbara12

Hi lupin15
I am so sorry you are struggling, I have OA in my spine and hips, I also have pain in my hand and foot, my GP says it is inflammation, I still cant get my head round it travelling like this.
You do get nerve pain from your back that can go down your legs, they put me on gabapentin for that.
Ask can you be referred to a pain clinic, they can review your meds.
Love
Barbara x

lupin15

To be honest i have got to find out what exactly i have...that would probably be a start. The pain i have in my lower back is low level at the moment...back ground i call it and my hip is background at well. A relief after the few really painful weeks i had with them. The stabbing/electric shock is in the area of my back passage....don;t have it all the time but boy when it kicks in it stops me in my path. I am assuming it is to do with my back. Xray shows squaring!!!!!!thats what ocl said. No idea what that means.
Am starting to wonder if the doctor is reluctant to refer because it take money out of the surgery's budget??? Back at the doctors soon so will make sure i have a long list of questions and if markers are not present i will ask to be referred
Also get pains down my legs...sciatica which is on and off. I can have it for weeks sometimes months and then it just goes.
Just for good measure would you belive my sodding knees have joined in this afternoon. Going to have a lie in tomorrow and rest.

dreamdaisy

Resting sounds wise to me, it may be time to give your poor, tired body a break. Having a label can help, something causing pain can often trigger pain in another area which can be confusing. It may take time to glean all the info you need, so try not to fret too much (silly, I know) and rest as much as you can. I wish you well. DD