[AndreaK]

Afternoon Everyone,

First I'd like to say a big Thank You to all of you who offered your support and advice to me while I was having my mini melt down the other day.... a quick update. I spoke to the nurse specialist at my Rheumatologist's office and I do indeed have to attend an educational class before they begin me on the Plaquenil, as absurd as that is, it is out of my control. I have however suggested to the nurse that perhaps they might consider larger classes, to get more individuals through at a time, rather then their current 1-1 method ....good grief, where do they find these people? Any how... moving on... I'm a bit confused about some symptoms I am having, and not really sure how to handle it. I am experiencing a great deal of numbness and tingling in my arm, hand, leg and foot, on my right side...it is the type of numbness and tingling you might get when your foot falls to sleep, only 10 fold, and there is an electrical burning element to the pain as well..... when it hits me, it is debilitating....I can sometimes get it quite severe in my hand, so much so that I have difficulty using my hand...my confusion is could it be carpal tunnel in my hand? But then that does not explain the same problem in my leg and foot? I think it is connected to the rash I have on my right calf, that has taken up residence for the past 6 months! I go to have this biopsied on Monday morning, as they feel it may be a Discoid rash.... any how, I'm pretty miserable with this numbness and tingling...any advice.... should I be concerned or should I ring my Rheumatologist...whom I have only just met and seen once?

Thanking you all in advance.... Cheers :wink2:

AndreaK 8)

 

[sam101360]

Hi:

I am no expert nor am I Dr however this sounds to me like siatica, does it hurt to bend down? Or to lift your feet straight out from a sitting position? Id not, then I'm probably wrong.

Sorry, hope this helps just a little.

Stephanie

 

[AndreaK]

Not sciatica

Hi Sam,

Nope, it's not sciatica, unfortunately I have had 2 back surgeries, and have suffered horrible sciatica in the past. This is nothing like sciatica...this is like when your foot falls asleep. and you get that awful pins and needles....only I get this in my right arm, hand, right leg and foot....it is all right sided, and increases in pain when the rash on my right calf flares even more then usual.....I know it is connected somehow...... nevertheless, thank you so much for your concern and support Sam.

Warm Regards,
AndreaK :calm:

 

[Katharine]

Hi there Andrea,

Yes, this does need mentioning to your rheumy. It could be caused by any of a number of things. To me, it sounds like there could be an element of peripheral neuropathy going on or, as you say, maybe it is connected to your rash.

I was sent to a neuro to do a nerve conduction study in order to determine whether or not I had peripheral neuropathy. I also have a lot of numbness in hands, feet and sometimes up my legs. However, for me, it is in both hands, both feet...

With a nerve conduction study they can also determine whether it is carpal tunnel syndrome - but that would then be confined to hands/arms.

If the pain in your hands and wrists is worse when sleeping you can try sleeping with wrist splints. Many here do that and it helps considerably with pain as it keeps the wrists straight. I don't actually have carpal tunnel but still use the splints as they relieve the neuropathy a bit anyway (I tend to curl my hands over when sleeping otherwise).

I'm afraid I don't know much more about it than that but do mention it to your rheumy as it is very bothersome and I know that when my feet are very bad that numb yet painful feeling stops me sleeping.

Katharine

 

[AndreaK]

Hi Kathrine,

I think you could be right... I will mention it to my Rheumatologist. It has been soly on my right side, but in the past couple of days I have experienced a bit in my left hand and wrist...I've actualy tried to just shrug it off, thinking perhaps I am over exagerating....it's hard not to feel like that at times..... yes, it has woken me up out of a dead sleep, and then inevitably I end up taking a hot bath, which is what I tend to do when I feel yuky! I'm turning into a prune! :lol:

Any how, thanks for your support and advice...sometimes you just need to get a gently nudge from someone else....thank you.

Hope you are doing okay.....God Bless...

AndreaK ;o.}}