RA/Carpul Tunnel Syndrome

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I am so confused right now. I was reading something today and it

said that Carpul Tunnel Syndrome also causes swollen fingers and pain in the

wrist area (like RA). When I was first diagnosed with RA in 2007, I asked my

Primary Dr if it was Carpul and he said it could be, but he didn't think so

because I could barely walk. I had swollen middle fingers, swollen wrist,

swollen knee, painful shoulder and swollen & painful foot. He rain blood test

and I tested positive for RA (my level was at a high 172). I even asked my

Rheumatologist and he/she told me " NO WAY, it is not Carpul Tunnel, it is RA. "

My x-rays showed I have erosions on my ankles, wrist and the cartlidge in my

knee is thinning. Both my Drs say I have a bad case of denial and I need to

accept that I have full blown Rheumatoid Arthritis. So my question is how do I

really know if it is RA or Carpul Tunnel and if it is my case of denial? Please

share info with me so I am not confused anymore. Thanks, Traci

[Guest guest]

Hi Traci - my pain management doctor did an EMG of my hands and that

was how he was able to confirm Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I've had the

surgery done on both hands and there is definite improvement in the

Carpal Tunnel symptoms, but now its the RA that is messing with my

hands. With CTS, I had no strength in my hands and loss of feeling - I

was continuously dropping things. With the RA, I get joint swelling

and pain, but no loss of feeling. Hope this helps to answer your

question...........Doreen

>

> Hi everyone, I am confused about RA and Carpul Tunnel Syndrome. I was

reading today that Carpul Tunnel is also in the hands & fingers and can

make your fingers swollen (like RA). How do I really know that, Carpul

Tunnel is not what I really have? When I was first diagnosed with RA, I

mentioned Carpul Tunnel and the Dr looked at me & said it could be, but

he doubted it because I had swollen wrist, swollen fingers, swollen

knee & foot (and the fact I tested positive for RA with high level of

172). I also asked the Rheumatologist also and he/she said it was

definately RA. I have a deformity and erosions on my wrist, ankle &

knee. Please share any info with me so I am not confused anymore.

Thanks, Traci

>

[Guest guest]

Traci,

It is quite common for people with RA to have Carpal Tunnel so, you

could have both. If you have Carpal Tunnel, it would deffinately add

to your pain. Your rheummy could order the test for you. I had an

EMG before my cervical spine surgery to rule out Carpal Tunnel as a

problem also. My nervers were healthy.

Shirley

>

> >

> > Hi everyone, I am confused about RA and Carpul Tunnel Syndrome.

I was

> reading today that Carpul Tunnel is also in the hands & fingers

and can

> make your fingers swollen (like RA). How do I really know that,

Carpul

> Tunnel is not what I really have? When I was first diagnosed with

RA, I

> mentioned Carpul Tunnel and the Dr looked at me & said it could

be, but

> he doubted it because I had swollen wrist, swollen fingers,

swollen

> knee & foot (and the fact I tested positive for RA with high level

of

> 172). I also asked the Rheumatologist also and he/she said it was

> definately RA. I have a deformity and erosions on my wrist, ankle

&

> knee. Please share any info with me so I am not confused anymore.

> Thanks, Traci

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Traci,

Yes it does get very confusing but from your post it does sound as

though as your doctor says you do have rheumatoid arthritis, though

quite naturally you were looking hopefully to a simpler explanation

like carpal tunnel syndrome. The clue is in that name 'syndrome'. That

just means a 'pattern of symptoms and signs' with many underlying

causes. Carpal tunnel Syndrome means there is pressure on the median

nerve as it passes under the tight fibrous band at the wrist,(the

carpal tunnel)(pressure comes from causes such as fluid, inflammation,

tendonitis, so naturally active RA can cause it,as well as other types

of pain in the wrists hands and arms.

Hope you get relief soon.

retired doc UK

>

> Hi everyone, I am confused about RA and Carpul Tunnel Syndrome. I was

reading today that Carpul Tunnel is also in the hands & fingers and can

make your fingers swollen (like RA). How do I really know that, Carpul

Tunnel is not what I really have?

>