[Twinkletoes]

My building contractor's wife just told me he is going to a hand specialist tomorrow.

When she married Rob (about 17 years ago) his ring finger was size 11.

Now his pinky finger is size 18!

For comparison, my DH began at size 10.5 ring finger, is now 70 lbs. heavier and wears size 13.

Rob's hands are like baseball mitts. They are numb, except during the night when they throb and keep him awake.

No other body parts have grown disproportionately, and there is no other numbness.

Any guesses as to what you think this malady could be?



BTW, he can still use his hands to pick up large things such as a hammer, but cannot negotiate little things like screws.

[Jomar]

could it be some sort of vascular swelling?

does it change at all if he props hands up & doesn't use them for awhile?
color changes?
do the arms seem larger/swollen too or only the hands?

possibly a repetitive use issue??
arms used overhead often over the years??
framing/hammering , drywall/ceilings or above head work , & heavy lifting??

If it isn't Carpal tunnel or something like arthritis ....
They may want to look thru the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome forum stickys if any of the above apply.

[Twinkletoes]

Thanks, Jo55. Am emailing them your links.

[mrsD]

Some people may have a pituitary tumor, that secretes extra
growth hormone. This is called acromegaly.

It is less likely, if the feet have not changed.

Here is a symptom list:
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/a/acromegaly/symptoms.htm

[Twinkletoes]

You know, mrsd, acromegaly crossed my mind. There was a man in our little town that had it.

Rob does have a big nose and lips, but his wife said his feet are not larger.

It will be interesting to see what the hand doc says today. Rob is a very nice man with a cute family. I hope it isn't anything very serious.

[Jomar]

Let us know what they find out..

[mrsD]

are very common. And they all secrete different hormones depending on the cell type.

I think I read that 20% of random autopsies showed them, benign as well.

Those that secrete growth hormone give the most obvious signs. And when they become large enough may affect vision too.

I hope this is not the case, as surgery is the only solution.

[Twinkletoes]

An update: Rob has been dxd with acromegaly. He has a tumor on his pituitary gland.

I stated that his feet hadn't grown, but he said they actually have. His jaw has grown enough that now he has an underbite.

He hasn't scheduled surgery yet, but has received some steroid shots.

I don't really know much more than that, but thought you'd like an update.

[mrsD]

I hope it goes easily and well for him.

[pabb]

shoot, sometimes ya just dont like bein' right......make sure he is worked up for diabetes....sometimes this comes secondary.......good luck to him