Fibro or Arthritis in fingers?

[The Listener]

Hi, I am awaiting x-ray results on my hands and am also seeing a rheumatologist in 2 weeks, does anyone have experience of red,tender patches on fingers? I have this on both forefingers and it started with the finger swelling, itching and hard to bend.The pain has mostly gone now but the blotches remain.Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated thanks.

 

[sunkacola]

Hi Listener,
When you say red tender patches do you mean on your skin? If so, a dermatologist would be a good approach.

Do you have widespread pain in other parts of your body or is it only your hands? If only your hands, then arthritis is the most likely, and the rheumatologist will help with that.

 

[The Listener]

Hi sunkacola many thanks for reply.Yes I have had ongoing issues for a few months.Widespread pain in shoulders,hips, elbow, ear, lower back as well as migraines and constipation.The redness seems to be kinda under the skin if that makes sense.Not as swollen and painful as it was but it can itch sometimes.

 

[sunkacola]

have you seen doctor(s) for these problems? Since there are many different disorders, diseases, and conditions that can cause this kind of pain it's very important to get everything checked out and to have tests for all the things it could be. You don't say if you have received a fibromyalgia diagnosis or not, but if you have not I recommend you pursue this medically rather than believing that is what you have. You may, but you may have something else instead or in addition to fibro.

 

[The Listener]

Thanks sunkacola.No I haven't been diagnosed as yet.I have had everything tested kidneys,liver,antibodies,blood count,imflammation markers,t3,t4,tsh,all vitamins to name a few.My GP suspects fibro but I will be more clued up in 2 weeks when I see the rheumatologist.

 

[Auriel]

Welcome to the forum The Listener ️. (I like your profile picture) I hope you get the answers your looking for, I also get lower back pain and migraines too (a fair few of us on this forum do )

 

[sunkacola]

Thanks sunkacola.No I haven't been diagnosed as yet.I have had everything tested kidneys,liver,antibodies,blood count,imflammation markers,t3,t4,tsh,all vitamins to name a few.My GP suspects fibro but I will be more clued up in 2 weeks when I see the rheumatologist.

You might want to research to see what other disorders cause the same symptoms as fibro. there's a whole list of them. Mention to your doctor, perhaps, that you want to be tested for all of them if possible because you really want to get an answer as to what is causing your problems. Those blood tests ( kidneys, antibodies, etc) are not specific for testing the things you need to eliminate, like lupus, MS, ME, and so on.

 

[The Listener]

Many thanks for the reply sunkacola.

 

[cookiebaker]

Those blood tests ( kidneys, antibodies, etc) are not specific for testing the things you need to eliminate, like lupus, MS, ME, and so on.

yup, but rheumatologist can, and should, test for those other things - and dont forget to ask about Lyme disease as well.. that was one I had done, just to rule it out - especially if you live in an area where tick exposure is a thing. But even if you live in a city, it is not impossible.

 

[The Listener]

Thanks for reply cookiebaker, much appreciated.

 

[MissMarvel87]

Hi, I am awaiting x-ray results on my hands and am also seeing a rheumatologist in 2 weeks, does anyone have experience of red,tender patches on fingers? I have this on both forefingers and it started with the finger swelling, itching and hard to bend.The pain has mostly gone now but the blotches remain.Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated thanks.

Hi,
Nothing worse than the joints you move the most being so painful! I started over years ago with my fingers being like that, as well as all over general pains, and I saw a rheumatologist. He ruled out arthritis then and I was given the fibro diagnosis. More recently I have been back to see them as my bloods were high, showing that I either had rheumatoid or was very likely to get it. 2 weeks ago (today actually) I went back and they did an ultrasound and confirmed I have rheumatoid arthritis, I have been given new meds to take and had a steroid injection. I have found that compression gloves help a little, and I chop and change between them and a splint depending on where the pain is. It's not a permanent fix, as I don't think anything is, but they do take some of the pain away with still allowing you to move your hands and fingers. I have tried all sorts, but these are at the top of my list. My Gramps used to always wear them too. Good luck, and hope you get some help and answers.

 

[The Listener]

Thanks so much for the reply Miss Marvel, im looking forward to seeing the rheumatologist and getting the answers.You sound as if you've been through quite a bit, I'm glad the gloves and splint are giving you some ease.Stay positive and thanks again for reply.

 

[BombayMum]

does anyone have experience of red,tender patches on fingers? I have this on both forefingers and it started with the finger swelling, itching and hard to bend.The pain has mostly gone now but the blotches remain.Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated thanks.

Exactly that. I understand your pain.
This is how I would originally describe my FM. Three days back, right after a drink, my fingers started paining and i think got swollen. The hand got so stiff that I couldn't sleep at night. Then, the second hand also started complaining. The next day one of the fingers got bent unusually (wish I could post a picture). today most of the pain is gone and i have been advised testing. Yes, redness remains, my
doc says it's due to internal swelling/inflammation.

 

[BombayMum]

had everything tested kidneys,liver,antibodies,blood count,imflammation markers,t3,t4,tsh,all vitamins to name a few

ANA test? CRP test?

 

[The Listener]

Hi BombayMum,thanks for the reply.Yes I have had full sweep of bloods done and everything showed normal range.Are you having any other symptoms in other parts of the body?