Thumb pain

[TattooGurl]

I woke up this morning and out of nowhere with extreme pain in my right thumb, it dose get worse when I try to use it and then the pain goes shooting down my wrist. I'm a moderately healthy 35 year old woman I do have some medical issues one of witch dose cause severe arthritis but my osteochondritis dissecans is nowhere near my right thumb it's primarily in my ankles and knees, and it takes many years of noticeable grinding to cause enough damage to cause arthritis. I also have Hypothyroidism witch was not caused by hashimoto's according to my doctors that it was not autoimmune. There was also no injury recent or even in the past 20 years to that thumb. My other issues would have not caused joint pain no one ever got arthritis from asthma. But the pain has got from 0 to 60 literally over night and now my whole arm is hurting but I think it's just cuz I'm trying not to move it around to much to not aggravate my thumb. There is only very slight swelling it's so slight it took me a few hours to even notice it was swelling there is no discolouration  or feeling warm to the touch. And because I'm asthmatic I cant take NSAID's so I've been popping Tylenol 4's for the pain all day. I have no idea whats going on with my thumb

[TattooGurl]

I was on the natural thyroid it didn't seem to make a difference then when I was on the synthetic hormones so they switched me back. I also tried the Cytomel which is pure T3 hormone synthroid is T4 hormone the natural Armour is both hormones. The cost of the pills was over $100 a month and the synthroid it $5 a month. Kinda a no brainier there. I've been on the meds now about 8 years and my thyroid levels have been under control. No I'm not a smoker but yes I was I quit 4 years ago and I'm still on the fence if that was a good thing or not because all it's done is give me a few more dollars in my wallet. It has caused many problem on it's own. It's caused tones of weight gain, adult acne (which is why I'm taking the antibiotics), it's changed the texture of my hair and fingernails, it's ruined my apatite and made it imposable for me to eat, vivid nightmares and I seem to have lost my desire to go out and live I rather hide under a blanket with my dogs. And not to worry my pharmacist makes sure I'm eating at least 2 yogurt cups and day. Good thing I like yogurt I hope this helped a little.

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi again TattooGurl.

While the X-rays won't show signs of tendonitis, they won't show any signs of rheumatoid arthritis either. However, they would show OCD or OA.
Is this what you suspect?

In regards to your OCD, are you currently a smoker, or were you a smoker
as a teenager?( No I have no intention to lecture you.)
Was there ever a suggestion of  Osteogenesis Imperfecta?
I have a friend who suffers from that, whose symptoms worsened, as she was an avid smoker (has quit since a few years now) and a coffee/cola drinker, and already had 2 hip replacements and due for 2 knee replacements. She's in her early 40s. Her doctor tells her her bones are double her her age.
I'm just establishing associations.
Here's a pertinent(to smoking) recent study:
Lorah D. Dorn, Sarah J. Beal, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Stephanie Pabst, Jennie G. Noll, Elizabeth J. Susman. Longitudinal Impact of Substance Use and Depressive Symptoms on Bone Accrual Among Girls Aged 11–19 Years. Journal of Adolescent Health, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.10.005

Wow! 106 fractures and you're so young!  It must be tough.
You present a very interesting case here. (not so interesting for you,
naturally, as this is a very limiting condition in your life)
You must have had tons of testing, so far.
Being on a lengthy course of antibiotics you may want to consider high quality probiotics  and an anti-candida diet to protect your healthy flora.
And you're right, your newest issue shouldn't be linked to a bacterial
infection.  
I don't know. There's something about your situation.
Asthma, Hypothyroid, OCD, all the fractures.
Something is missing.
So far it  doesn't seem that you have any RA symptoms, so the genetic
predisposition hasn't been activated, it seems.

What are you taking for hypothyroid and how's it working for you?
If on Synthroid, it may be counter-indicated if you have asthma,
may cause bone loss or osteoporosis, weight gain or weight loss
and other adverse effects. Armour (natural thyroid supplement)is usually a better choice.

Anyway, hope you get some answers. Post again!
Wish you well.
Niko

[TattooGurl]

The X-rays are to rule out arthritis my mother, grand mother, and great grand mother all have severe Rheumatoid arthritis. I don't play and sports like racquetball nor do I do any other stressful work with my hands for a living nor do I spend hours a day texting or playing video games, there's no reason for me to get tendonitis this is why were doing more tests. I'm also on long term antibiotics have been for nearly 2 months so it's likely not bacterial. And lastly I did say I have a medical problem in witch my bones and break very easily I'm 35 and I've had 106 brakes in my life. Tho I don't stand by the tendonitis just yet.

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi TattoGurl.
X-rays usually don't show tendonitis and if you have no more swelling, the X-Rays are not going to be veryuseful.
Should your doctor have in mind to rule out a possible fracture, if the pain is subsiding substantially, then that possibility may be out.
Bilateral tendonitis (both thumbs) is unlikely,but think of a reason both thumbs would be involved. That might shed some light.
I had developed  thumb tendonitis (right thumb) when I played racquetball, back in the 80's.  I remember this vividly!
My masculine ego at the time dictated that I should not see a doctor for such a petty yet painful sudden occurrence. Later when I accidentally met a chiropractor friend he asked me to close my fist with fingers over thumb
and bend my wrist inward. When he touched the inside of my thumb in this position, I jumped!  "Tendonitis", he said. "Get a splint from the drug store,
put it on, don't use your thumb for a while and stay away from the raquetball court!"  It was just fine after a short time.
I don't think it was an official test of any sort but it worked for me. lol!

Hope you resolve this soon! It's pain in the... thumb. lol!
Cheers,
Niko

[TattooGurl]

Very helpful thank you, I did go see a doctor and shes 99% sure it's tendonitis and this is just the first time it has ever become inflamed. She has has sent me for X-rays I will be getting tomorrow and she wants me to see a physiotherapist. She wont tell me 100% till she runs more tests but between the ice and heat sand of course the Tylenol the pain is gone but now I'm feeling pain in my left thumb.