Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 I have that snapping in my knees its strange isnt it. Jolene In a message dated 4/6/2008 9:13:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jacyone@... writes: It's now been four full weeks since the beginning of this flareup. I don't have an official RA diagnosis yet, though that's what my primary care physician thinks I have. The rheumatologist said it could be RA, or it could be the virus that " triggered " the flare mimicking RA. But all of my labs have been normal/negative except my blood sugar is low and I'm a bit anemic. Anyway... My hands and wrists have been the worst source of pain and stiffness. For over two weeks now, I've been experiencing this pain on the outside edge of both wrists, near/alongside that bony bit that sticks up. It is literally intense enough to take my breath away and make my knees weak for a few seconds every time it happens. For the past week, it's been accompanied by a distinct snapping sensation and sound. It happens almost constantly now when I twist/turn/pivot my wrists. Which is something that one does much more than one realizes until it becomes a source of excruciating pain, lol. Has anybody else experienced something like this? Any idea what exactly it is? And is it typical of RA or is it possibly a symptom of something else all together? And finally, what, if anything can you recommend to prevent or alleviate it?! Thanks so much! Judy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 I have it most commonly in my knees, yet it happens frequently in my neck and hips and sometimes wrists and fingers. --- Jolenefive@... wrote: > I have that snapping in my knees its strange isnt > it. > > Jolene > > > In a message dated 4/6/2008 9:13:52 P.M. Eastern > Daylight Time, > jacyone@... writes: > > > > > It's now been four full weeks since the beginning of > this flareup. I don't > have an official RA diagnosis yet, though that's > what my primary care > physician thinks I have. The rheumatologist said it > could be RA, or it could be the > virus that " triggered " the flare mimicking RA. But > all of my labs have been > normal/negative except my blood sugar is low and I'm > a bit anemic. > > Anyway... My hands and wrists have been the worst > source of pain and > stiffness. For over two weeks now, I've been > experiencing this pain on the outside > edge of both wrists, near/alongside that bony bit > that sticks up. It is > literally intense enough to take my breath away and > make my knees weak for a few > seconds every time it happens. For the past week, > it's been accompanied by a > distinct snapping sensation and sound. It happens > almost constantly now when I > twist/turn/pivot my wrists. Which is something that > one does much more than > one realizes until it becomes a source of > excruciating pain, lol. > > Has anybody else experienced something like this? > Any idea what exactly it > is? And is it typical of RA or is it possibly a > symptom of something else all > together? And finally, what, if anything can you > recommend to prevent or > alleviate it?! > > Thanks so much! > > Judy > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > > > > **************Planning your summer road trip? Check > out AOL Travel Guides. > > (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. http://tc.deals./tc/blockbuster/text5.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 Hi Judy- I was first diagnosed thanks to my snapping wrists. That was 17 years ago, but I had tremendous pain in the bony parts of my wrist, and endless snapping and popping that was very painful. I still have the popping by the way, I've just learned to live with it. I was officially diagnosed with RA, but I ended up with a separate and dual diagnosis for my wrists- Kienbock's Syndrome. This is vascular necrosis (the slow death of nerve endings) in particular bones in the wrist. It is painful, a form of arthritis all on its own, and has no cure of course. You can read up about it online. If you think that might be it, ask your rheumy. The only way to diagnose Kienbock's is by getting a clear x-ray of your lunar bones. I'd like to suggest cold packs for your wrists. That may seem counter intuitive- most people think " arthritis " and immediately apply heat. But RA works differently, and most pain is caused by some underlying inflammation. When I finally got a diagnosis, I was told that when my pain got very bad, ice not heat. When my wrists get really bad, I do ice packs. It really helps. I also use splints and/or wrist braces when my flares are bad, which seem to apply enough pressure to keep my wrists (and ankles and neck) stable and decreases the popping and cracking. With my Kienbock's, ice has made a lot of difference. If you have ice packs, give it a try. If you go out and buy some, I suggest getting ones filled with gel instead of actual ice. They conform to your joints better, they're soft to the touch, and you can use them over and over with no sweating, dripping, that kind of thing. I have two sets at home and one set at work. Ibuprofen as well, if you're not on a pain killer at all. Aspirin and Tylenol don't do the same thing biochemically as IB and other " profens, " so if you haven't tried that for the pain I'd give it a try. With RA, bloodwork is never as clear as we wish it would be. I can certainly understand your frustration about blood numbers being something less than definitive. That happens to me frequently, and I'm sure most of the others could tell a similar story. For me, it became a question of who I trusted and who I felt was telling me the truth. If you don't trust your rheumy, or you think rheumy is not being proactive, or if you think your rheumy isn't listening, find another one. I went through a couple before I finally landed on the right one. Anemia is a sign of RA, if you don't have any sources of bleeding (that includes menstruation), but it can also be caused by medication, lack of iron in the diet, even too much soda can drop your iron levels. I have Anemia of Chronic Illness (thanks RA!), so I've learned a ton about iron over the years. If you trust this rheumy, then a clear diagnosis will take some time- they'll want bloodwork over time to follow the numbers, imaging of joints, and so on. Best way to get your iron levels up is through the diet. Strangely enough, there are three kinds of food that can get it up very fast. The key is to combine iron rich foods with Vitamin C. Iron travels through the bloodstream more quickly in a Vit C carrier. So, I suggest there things. Eat beef with green peppers (they have as much Vit C as an orange), eat canned green beans (canned green beans have more iron than fresh), and eat spinach salads with mandarin oranges and cranberries in them. If you like dessert, try to get something with molasses in it. I hope all of this helps. Hang in there- I know that you must be so frustrated, but it will get better. Amber (aka amayfaire) @...: jacyone@...: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 21:00:49 -0400Subject: [ ] " Snapping " Wrists? It's now been four full weeks since the beginning of this flareup. I don't have an official RA diagnosis yet, though that's what my primary care physician thinks I have. The rheumatologist said it could be RA, or it could be the virus that " triggered " the flare mimicking RA. But all of my labs have been normal/negative except my blood sugar is low and I'm a bit anemic.Anyway... My hands and wrists have been the worst source of pain and stiffness. For over two weeks now, I've been experiencing this pain on the outside edge of both wrists, near/alongside that bony bit that sticks up. It is literally intense enough to take my breath away and make my knees weak for a few seconds every time it happens. For the past week, it's been accompanied by a distinct snapping sensation and sound. It happens almost constantly now when I twist/turn/pivot my wrists. Which is something that one does much more than one realizes until it becomes a source of excruciating pain, lol.Has anybody else experienced something like this? Any idea what exactly it is? And is it typical of RA or is it possibly a symptom of something else all together? And finally, what, if anything can you recommend to prevent or alleviate it?!Thanks so much!Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 My AS son also has this " snapping " in his ankles, feet, toes, knees and fingers which is where he also has the most arthritis pain. Coincidence?? Sorry, but we don't know of any way to stop it yet... > > I have that snapping in my knees its strange isnt it. > > Jolene > > > In a message dated 4/6/2008 9:13:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > jacyone@... writes: > > > > > It's now been four full weeks since the beginning of this flareup. I don't > have an official RA diagnosis yet, though that's what my primary care > physician thinks I have. The rheumatologist said it could be RA, or it could be the > virus that " triggered " the flare mimicking RA. But all of my labs have been > normal/negative except my blood sugar is low and I'm a bit anemic. > > Anyway... My hands and wrists have been the worst source of pain and > stiffness. For over two weeks now, I've been experiencing this pain on the outside > edge of both wrists, near/alongside that bony bit that sticks up. It is > literally intense enough to take my breath away and make my knees weak for a few > seconds every time it happens. For the past week, it's been accompanied by a > distinct snapping sensation and sound. It happens almost constantly now when I > twist/turn/pivot my wrists. Which is something that one does much more than > one realizes until it becomes a source of excruciating pain, lol. > > Has anybody else experienced something like this? Any idea what exactly it > is? And is it typical of RA or is it possibly a symptom of something else all > together? And finally, what, if anything can you recommend to prevent or > alleviate it?! > > Thanks so much! > > Judy > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. > (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states? ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 I have asked this question to my doctor in the past. It is common to have cracking and popping sounds in the joints due to the changes in cartilage from the arthritis. Here is a good article on some other things that might happen http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/arthritis/tabID__3376/ItemID__179/Articles/D\ efault.aspx Myndi Fitzgerald <the7fitzs@...> wrote: My AS son also has this " snapping " in his ankles, feet, toes, knees and fingers which is where he also has the most arthritis pain. Coincidence?? Sorry, but we don't know of any way to stop it yet... > > I have that snapping in my knees its strange isnt it. > > Jolene > > > In a message dated 4/6/2008 9:13:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > jacyone@... writes: > > > > > It's now been four full weeks since the beginning of this flareup. I don't > have an official RA diagnosis yet, though that's what my primary care > physician thinks I have. The rheumatologist said it could be RA, or it could be the > virus that " triggered " the flare mimicking RA. But all of my labs have been > normal/negative except my blood sugar is low and I'm a bit anemic. > > Anyway... My hands and wrists have been the worst source of pain and > stiffness. For over two weeks now, I've been experiencing this pain on the outside > edge of both wrists, near/alongside that bony bit that sticks up. It is > literally intense enough to take my breath away and make my knees weak for a few > seconds every time it happens. For the past week, it's been accompanied by a > distinct snapping sensation and sound. It happens almost constantly now when I > twist/turn/pivot my wrists. Which is something that one does much more than > one realizes until it becomes a source of excruciating pain, lol. > > Has anybody else experienced something like this? Any idea what exactly it > is? And is it typical of RA or is it possibly a symptom of something else all > together? And finally, what, if anything can you recommend to prevent or > alleviate it?! > > Thanks so much! > > Judy > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. > (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states? ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Thanks to all that have responded. I think I may not have been clear in describing what I'm experiencing. This isn't the usual (usual for our group anyway!) joint cracking and popping that and others describe. This is way different. It's not actually in my wrist joint, it's along-side it. And it feels like a rubber band is being snapped in there, if that makes any sense?? Also, something else that's started occurring in the the past couple of weeks and is progressively getting worse is that when I wake in the morning, my fingers are " locked " in the curled up/fist position and I have to forcefully unfold them to get them straight. And it hurts, of course! It began with just one finger but now it's the ring and middle finger on both hands just about every morning. Is this typical of RA? Once again, I appreciate any information or advice those with more experience can share! Judy Re: [ ] Re: " Snapping " Wrists? I have asked this question to my doctor in the past. It is common to have cracking and popping sounds in the joints due to the changes in cartilage from the arthritis. Here is a good article on some other things that might happen http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/arthritis/tabID__3376/ItemID__179/Articles/D\ efault.aspx Myndi Fitzgerald <the7fitzs@...> wrote: My AS son also has this " snapping " in his ankles, feet, toes, knees and fingers which is where he also has the most arthritis pain. Coincidence?? Sorry, but we don't know of any way to stop it yet... > > I have that snapping in my knees its strange isnt it. > > Jolene > > > In a message dated 4/6/2008 9:13:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > jacyone@... writes: > > > > > It's now been four full weeks since the beginning of this flareup. I don't > have an official RA diagnosis yet, though that's what my primary care > physician thinks I have. The rheumatologist said it could be RA, or it could be the > virus that " triggered " the flare mimicking RA. But all of my labs have been > normal/negative except my blood sugar is low and I'm a bit anemic. > > Anyway... My hands and wrists have been the worst source of pain and > stiffness. For over two weeks now, I've been experiencing this pain on the outside > edge of both wrists, near/alongside that bony bit that sticks up. It is > literally intense enough to take my breath away and make my knees weak for a few > seconds every time it happens. For the past week, it's been accompanied by a > distinct snapping sensation and sound. It happens almost constantly now when I > twist/turn/pivot my wrists. Which is something that one does much more than > one realizes until it becomes a source of excruciating pain, lol. > > Has anybody else experienced something like this? Any idea what exactly it > is? And is it typical of RA or is it possibly a symptom of something else all > together? And finally, what, if anything can you recommend to prevent or > alleviate it?! > > Thanks so much! > > Judy > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Hi Judy- I wake up every day with my fingers curled, and usually sleep on my hands to keep them flat while I sleep. Otherwise, i wake up in pain with curled fists. It often happens when I've had long periods of rest as well- I noticed last week after I sat in a two-hour lecture that my fingers were curling into my palm. I've had times where I had to ask my partner to straighten my fingers for me. I don't know if its typical or not, but I've never had a rheumy even blink at that. The rubber band feeling might be a muscle or tendon tear. If it feels like a snapping rubber band, that sounds like muscle and tendon, not so much joint. But if you're having muscular atrophy in the wrists and hands, then muscle tearing or tendon stress wouldn't be out of the question. I don't know if that is standard either- I've never dealt with that in particular. Have they done any ct scans or MRI? If you have a muscle or tendon damage, they can't always find that on the x-ray. Hope this helps some. Amber (amayfaire) @...: jacyone@...: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 14:41:27 -0400Subject: Re: [ ] Re: " Snapping " Wrists? Thanks to all that have responded. I think I may not have been clear in describing what I'm experiencing. This isn't the usual (usual for our group anyway!) joint cracking and popping that and others describe. This is way different. It's not actually in my wrist joint, it's along-side it. And it feels like a rubber band is being snapped in there, if that makes any sense??Also, something else that's started occurring in the the past couple of weeks and is progressively getting worse is that when I wake in the morning, my fingers are " locked " in the curled up/fist position and I have to forcefully unfold them to get them straight. And it hurts, of course! It began with just one finger but now it's the ring and middle finger on both hands just about every morning. Is this typical of RA?Once again, I appreciate any information or advice those with more experience can share!Judy Re: [ ] Re: " Snapping " Wrists?I have asked this question to my doctor in the past. It is common to have cracking and popping sounds in the joints due to the changes in cartilage from the arthritis. Here is a good article on some other things that might happenhttp://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/arthritis/tabID__3376/ItemID__179/Arti\ cles/Default.aspxMyndi Fitzgerald <the7fitzs@...> wrote: My AS son also has this " snapping " in his ankles, feet, toes, knees and fingers which is where he also has the most arthritis pain. Coincidence?? Sorry, but we don't know of any way to stop it yet...--- In , Jolenefive@... wrote:>> I have that snapping in my knees its strange isnt it.> > Jolene> > > In a message dated 4/6/2008 9:13:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > jacyone@... writes:> > > > > It's now been four full weeks since the beginning of this flareup. I don't > have an official RA diagnosis yet, though that's what my primary care > physician thinks I have. The rheumatologist said it could be RA, or it could be the > virus that " triggered " the flare mimicking RA. But all of my labs have been > normal/negative except my blood sugar is low and I'm a bit anemic.> > Anyway... My hands and wrists have been the worst source of pain and > stiffness. For over two weeks now, I've been experiencing this pain on the outside > edge of both wrists, near/alongside that bony bit that sticks up. It is > literally intense enough to take my breath away and make my knees weak for a few > seconds every time it happens. For the past week, it's been accompanied by a > distinct snapping sensation and sound. It happens almost constantly now when I > twist/turn/pivot my wrists. Which is something that one does much more than > one realizes until it becomes a source of excruciating pain, lol.> > Has anybody else experienced something like this? Any idea what exactly it > is? And is it typical of RA or is it possibly a symptom of something else all > together? And finally, what, if anything can you recommend to prevent or > alleviate it?!> > Thanks so much!> > Judy> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]> > > > > > > > **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. > (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]>__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 What you are describing with your fingers is called Trigger Finger. I've gotten this as part of my RA. It's tendonitis, tendon shealth inflammation, and you should call your Rheumy and let him know this is happening. I went to an Occupational Therapist for finger splints and exercises to get my fingers straighten out. One finger finally had to have a cortisone shot to help with the pain and get it to straighten. The popping in the wrist, could also be problems with your tendons along the ulna bone. Yes, it's a RA thing. No, it's not just like cracking your knuckles. Yes, you do want your doctor to know. This can get extremely painful. At least that was my experience. > > Thanks to all that have responded. I think I may not have been clear in describing what I'm experiencing. This isn't the usual (usual for our group anyway!) joint cracking and popping that and others describe. This is way different. It's not actually in my wrist joint, it's along-side it. And it feels like a rubber band is being snapped in there, if that makes any sense?? > > Also, something else that's started occurring in the the past couple of weeks and is progressively getting worse is that when I wake in the morning, my fingers are " locked " in the curled up/fist position and I have to forcefully unfold them to get them straight. And it hurts, of course! It began with just one finger but now it's the ring and middle finger on both hands just about every morning. Is this typical of RA? > > Once again, I appreciate any information or advice those with more experience can share! > > Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Judy, As mentioned, what you're describing about your fingers sounds a lot like triggering. I would mention it to your physician ASAP. Your wrist symptoms also sound like inflammation affecting the tendons. Do ask about that, too. There is such a thing as " trigger wrist, " but it's uncommon. Not an MD > Re: [ ] Re: " Snapping " Wrists? > > Thanks to all that have responded. I think I may not have been clear in describing > what I'm experiencing. This isn't the usual (usual for our group anyway!) joint > cracking and popping that and others describe. This is way different. It's > not actually in my wrist joint, it's along-side it. And it feels like a rubber band is being > snapped in there, if that makes any sense?? > > Also, something else that's started occurring in the the past couple of weeks and is > progressively getting worse is that when I wake in the morning, my fingers are > " locked " in the curled up/fist position and I have to forcefully unfold them to get them > straight. And it hurts, of course! It began with just one finger but now it's the ring > and middle finger on both hands just about every morning. Is this typical of RA? > > Once again, I appreciate any information or advice those with more experience can > share! > > Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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