Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Has anyone experienced pain and stiffness in hands

I have had a good stretch of only moderate aches and pains. I have only had to use Enbrel 3x this last year. Two months ago I started experiencing pain and stiffness in my hands. When I wake up in the morning it is hard to close my hands. I have not been following the NSD or even the LSD but started back again today.

Yes. Can relate - commiserations. Often flare. Think OA. When bad can't make a fist nor open fully. Warm bath/warm hand soak - warm oil massage - warm wax baths - all help. Have OA in the thumb joint of right hand. That can be very painful. Also get trigger finger. That's when a finger locks down, have to prize open. Annoying and most uncomfortable.

Hope this helps.

HI
I have had it in my hands quite badly and then just seems to leave, just like my feet. I think you need to increase your dosage of Enbrel. I have never heard just taking it three times. I took it weekly good or bad weeks.

Janet

Hi Jorgensen,

I just recently experienced pain in hand and wrists and sometimes the fingers. This happened after being off of my Remicad since April due to high liver function test (It was the MTX I was on). Starting back on infusions and hope to beat the monster back. Why are you only taking your shots infrequently?

Are you just using Enbrel "as required"? If so, then I wouldn't have thought you would be getting the best out of it that way at all. Its not that kind of casual use drug. The problem will be that if things do start flaring its going to take you probably several months of using it regularly to get back to square one again.

I have a lot of pain, stiffness and deformity in my hands; supposedly from the RA. I have been to 3 hand specialists but not much they can do except they made me a splint.

I hope you get some relief.

Blessings.
Possi

Hi yes sore and swollen hands (joints and dactylitis) have been a real problem for me - it was my hands that finally prompted my doctor to send me to a rheumy who diagnosed my AS. Methotrexate has helped them the most and humira helps a bit too. Nsaids and eating low starch help my back and neck but don't seem to make a lot of difference to my hands.

Thanks for all the input, ideas and shared encouragement. We can Kick this beast back.

I have used Enbrel sparingly because I have usually been able to fight AS with NSD, and mostly LSD (not the drug...Low Starch Diet...made myself laugh). Enbrel has been great to help when I couldn't take the pain anymore, or just wasn't doing good enough with NSD. I am in contact with my Rheumy on this therapy. I am also concerned about possible side effects, although the research I have seen concerning Enbrel seems to be pretty positive.

I have re-set my diet to eliminate all bread, potato, pasta, etc...and am optimistic that I can fight this back. As Molly wrote, warm water therapy helps and I am also treating with ice and massage and hand stretches.

Thanks for all the insight.

I hope it works quickly for you and you avoid damage to your hands. You made me laugh too, I'm on LSD (low starch diet) and meth(otrexate).

yes, and pain in the hands hurt!! I like prescription strength topical lidocane for my swollen wrists and I like showers, baths and ice, these all help me.Hope you get some relief, take care.