Rheumatoid Arthritis - Thumb and wrist pain

[Carstreeter]

Hello,  I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and have currently noticed that I am holding my thumbs in my palms alot.  Im not doing this purposly, it is just something I am doing subconciously.  

I have alot of pain at the base of my thumbs and wrists.  

This is making me very nervous because this position if very un-natural.  

I do have an appointment with my Rheumy on Tuesday (before my Orencia Infusion) but Im just getting anxious and would like to know what you are thinking....  

Thank you Carla

[panda2526]

You need to also get your iron levels tested for iron overload, thumb and wrist pain are early signs of the damage done by iron storing onto joints. It also loads into organs and tissues, so if not already tested for ask for ferritin, transferrin saturation %, TIBC and serum iron. If they hesitate or poopoo it, insist, It can save your life. Iron overload is known as hemochromatosis. It is not rare, it is very common, and women diagnosed later than men.

Take care, and hope this helps when you go to RA dr. Get all copies of your tests. You are entitled to have them.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Yes, it is possible that if you have rheumatoid arthritis, one joint is more affected than the rest. Another possibility is De Quervain's tenosynovitis of the thumb joint. Treatments for this generally include any of the following in isolation or a combination or 2-3 of the following: rest, ice packs, splinting, anti-inflammation medication, and/or cortisone injection. Cortisone injection is extremely effective and is generally the optimal treatment restoring the function and relieving the pain. Hope this helps. Take care!