Sudden swelling (over 2 minutes) - does it happen?

anthony1
anthony1 Member Posts: 20
edited 15. Oct 2012, 08:25 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,

I have been recently 'diagnosed' with possible psoriatic tenosynovitis (and maybe arthritis), with main symptom being one swollen finger.

This morning felt like a good day after about two months, and I was using my hand a bit more than usual. At some point of vigorous use I felt it going warm and red. My finger started swelling more (felt like it was gonna burst) and a joint in another finger started swelling visibly – all that happened in less than 2 minutes!! No massive pain.

My question is: does it really happen over 2 minutes and to that degree?! I took Naproxen and applied arnica cream and it started subsiding after about two hours. It just felt very weird and horrible. I know I have to get used to it, but really... swelling like that in 2 minutes?

Thanks,
Anthony

Comments

  • LignumVitae
    LignumVitae Member Posts: 1,972
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Anthony

    I'm not sure this is the same but I've had a couple of occasions when I've not been using my hands vigorously (I was just walking along the first time) and have thought ouch that hurts, looked at my fingers to find one swollen and black and still swelling. They've always reduced a bit quite quickly but then taken a few days to go back to normal and lose the bruising. Don't know if that helps but yes, in my experience, things like that do sometimes happen. I have inflammatory arthritis so not the same as you.

    LV x
    Hey little fighter, things will get brighter
  • Nicchick
    Nicchick Member Posts: 191
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Unfortunately it can! I amazed and alarmed my sewing group one evening as they watched my wrist swell up, I told them that I would have carpal tunnel the next day and I did! It was quite a performance and until then I don't think many of them understood the unpredictability of arthritis and what we cope with...

    Sore fingers are the pits! I'm hoping to design some more attractive splints as I seem to be wearing mine more and more just lately!

    Nic x
  • anthony1
    anthony1 Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi,

    Thank you both for your replies.

    LV: What you describe sounds to me like Raynaud's phenomenon? Have a look on wikipedia, you might find something useful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud%27s_phenomenon

    Nic: I guess I'm lucky as it started subsiding after 2-3 hours (with lots of cream and pills). It was the first time it happened to me and I almost freaked out. Glad to know it's 'normal'! Makes it more 'fun'. :) I'm trying to laugh it off, the unpredictability of it is killing me.

    Thanks again!
    Anthony
  • PowerOn
    PowerOn Member Posts: 200
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Yes, I saw this with my dads hand in the 1980s and we did not know what was happening, his hand blew up as quickly and as big as someone blowing up a rubber glove.
    He was sitting in an armchair beside the fire, not active.
    It was one of the scariest and weirest things I have ever seen.
    He was on a lot of meds for arthur but I do not know what exacetly he was taking or what for, as he was not a person to talk.
    Best joke I ever read, "With that information and a diagnosis of spondylosis, your doctor can develop a treatment plan‏" or back in reality totally ignore you. Is ok I have a sense of humour and a boxing glove, not defeated yet.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    A similar things happen with both my knees and hands if I have been over doing it slightly! So I agree it can happen!
  • LignumVitae
    LignumVitae Member Posts: 1,972
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Anthony

    I don't have Reynauds thank you. I have been tested for it and many other forms of arthritis, my arthritis is inflammatory, I have the HLA B27 genetic marker which places it into the sero negative range of arthritis.

    My fingers have performed their routine when I have been off DMARDs and are very definitely an inflammatory response and have been identified as such by my rheumatology team.

    Thanks

    LV
    Hey little fighter, things will get brighter
  • anthony1
    anthony1 Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Wow, I wonder what this wonderful disease is going to bring me every day now! Knee feels a bit achy today, weird swollen lump just underneath it. Let's see how this develops... so exciting, thank you arthritis! :)

    Seriously though, thanks everyone. This is gonna be harder than I thought, but it's good to know we're not alone.

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