Unexplained hand pain and more

[Island_Thinker]

Hi, I'm a 31 year old male computer programmer in reasonably good physical shape.  No family history of any illnesses. Not on any long term medications, other than a multi vitamin.

12 years ago, during a period of heavy computer use, I experienced severe pain and loss of function in both hands that come on over a period of 3 days.  A general practice Dr. thought it was Carpal Tunnel, and Ortho thought RA was much more likely.  At the time I had no health insurance and did not follow up for more diagnosis.  Braces on the wrists had no effect, but a 2 week dose of prednisone relieved 90% of the symptoms.  I have had manageable hand discomfort ever since, never quite enough to make me seek treatment.  Discomfort does occasionally extends to the pinky area, but never past the wrists.  My hand strength is "ok", but not what it should be.  It is always best in the morning, and my hands get worse in the evenings.  I don't have effects from the carpal tunnel hand position tests.  I've never had any hand coordination issues.

3 weeks ago,  I noticed wrist soreness and then a lump/cyst/nodule coming out of my right wrist between the thumb and the pulse location.  It is bone hard, immobile, and does not hurt when it is pushed.

At the same time I started experiencing bilateral pain in both hands very similar to what happened 12 years ago.  In addition, for the past month I have had several periods of just not feeling great.  Almost like I'm coming down with something, but never get sick.  I've never measured a fever.

Went to general practice Dr, who put me on 1 week of prednisone and did general arthritic/lupus/liver tests.  Within hours of taking the prednisone I noticed a reduction in hand pain and an increase in hand strength.  

After a couple days, however I started to notice spreading of symptoms.  Pain spurts I have never had before from my ankles, a couple knuckles, stiffness in my knees, and a shift in pain of my hands to a more wrist centric pain.  I don't have morning stiffness, in fact I feel almost normal in the mornings but by lunch it is bothersome, by 5pm I have significant pain.  Every day I was feeling worse than the day before.  I did take 4 days off the computer during this period.  I don't have any visibly swollen joints or other visible signs other than the cyst/nodule on my wrist.

At end of prednisone dose, went back to the Dr. for the blood test results.  Everything in my blood work perfect! He couldn't find any issues at all!  It was very frustrating for me, because the doctor didn't seem to have any idea and even seemed to suggest it might be in my head!!

In the one week since then, I still have most of the symptoms, although they have not worsened further.  I'm finding that alcohol has an almost magical effect on my pain/stiffness and have significantly increased my consumption.

I have a follow up with an Ortho in 1 month, he wants me to see a Neurologist, but I have to have the Ortho refer me for it to be covered.

I am having a very very hard time performing my job right now and just don't know what to do... :(

Thanks for any advice...

[HJ05]

Hi I too am having troubles they can not figure out. It all started the end of 05 in my hand I thought I might have done something at work as I am a CNA and have worked in nursing homes most of my life. I just moved back home after a divorce and called my job I just left telling them I was injured and felt so stupid when I realized it might be something else. My hands were in so much pain swollen like sausages and red. I too did not have insurance at the time so could not do a lot for testing but the few docs I did see at that time all they came up with was fibromyalgia. A year later I lost function of my hands for two weeks could not move them at all or the pain would send me to the floor my boyfriend even had to bath me. Since then I have never had it as bad as that but I still have the continuous pain swelling on and off now tingling and the pain has moved up past my wrists. I also have the tingling in my feet and ankles. Now that I work in the ER and have insurance I have had more tests done MS, full carpel tunnel work up RA you name it but still all are fabulous they can not find a thing wrong with me! I am frustrated! At 31 I do not want to loose function of my hands.

[cat33]

I believe what you have on the top of your hand is called a gangoion cyst. I have one too on my right hand. It does't move or hurt . I beleive they said it was a calcium deposit. I saw that on Oprah (Dr. Oz).
Your other symptoms I have them all..It started with the wrist.went to my ankles, knees , lower back , joints , upper disks I'v got it all . Of course I'm not in pain all the time it seems to migrate from one place to another. Today it"s lower back and knees. My pain is more severe in the morning then goes away as I move around . Then starts again in the evening.

I was recently x-rayed and had a bone density test and they say I have osteoarthritis and should see an endocrinologyst .Which I'm still trying to figure out why because endocrinologyst usually deal with diabetis and thyroid unlesss
they think maybe it's an autoimmune desise . Who Know. Keep me filled in on your situation . Like to be informed and ready for the next battle
cat33

[Hope75]

It is uncanny that you are a computer programmer.  But, it doesn't explain all the other extremity issues.  The neuro is a good step - they may label you as having fibromyalgia at first, but don't stop there.  I have vague undiagnosed symptoms too - join the club and hang in there!