I am unsure if this is related to MG or if I am dealing with something else. I have always had problems with my hands but it came and went. Occassionally I would have fingers that would feel numb or tingly.

Now my hands are constantly "numb". I have difficulty doing things with my hands. It feels as though I have no feeling in my hands. Putting barettes in my daughter's hair, washing the kids faces, applying my own make -up etc. etc. I could go on and on because it seems like I having a hard time now with ANYTHING that I have to use my hands.

I am really concerned about this because it does not improve with meds or rest. When I mentioned it to my neurologist he said that it sounded more like nerves than muscles but that is all he said. I had an EMG done on my right hand in April and it was normal.

I am really struggling with this. I have learned to adjust that I cannot do stairs and a lot of walking. I had the thymectomy in Feb. I take Azathioprine 100mg, Mestinon 300mg, Prednisone 5mg and Synthroid .075 mcg
I feel that my hands are progressively getting worse.

Any thoughts are appreciated. ~ Melanie

I see you are taking Synthroid. I am taking the same dosage as you and had the same problem. I now take my synthroid at night before bed along with benadryl and I noticed my hands work better now. My Dr. also told me it was my "nerves" but since I react badly to all meds it made sense to me that synthroid was no different. So I now sleep through the side effects and although my hands still have trouble at times it is not as bad. Talk to your Dr. and ask if you can take benadryl and see if that helps.

Melanie, How are your feet? Are they the same or similar? Can you ask your primary doc to check your B12 level and recheck your thyroid?

I'm on Armour Thyroid, which many people in my cardio's group say works better for them than Synthroid. Do some research on it.

I know that people with MG can have so much destruction at the neuromuscular junction that they can have a loss of function but I'd check out other possibilities too, especially since your neuro said something about it.

Any reason you would have carpel tunnel?

I drop things a lot but I still have pretty good hand use. Some days I can't even write a check, it's like doing something in slow motion. It really sucks.

Annie

Melanie, as Annie questioned, the possibility is carpal tunnel syndrome & this would be my 1st thought...however, the EMG will gen'l support that....I just had my second carpal tunnel surgery (july 2nd) & this one is still a problem after 2 1/2 wks..having much pain & very painful shocks thru the hands from damaged nerves, much worse than the 1st time...however, my EMG did demonstrate the problem with depressed nerve conduction velocity...perhaps you will need a complete EMG on both arms & hands for this, unless they can come up with another answer...good luck...

Dottie

Yep! I had really bad problems with my hands b/4 the thymectomy. I couldn't EVEN move my fingers @ all to type- it was really scary! You may need an extra boost for now! Maybe your dr can up your pred or you can have IV IG or the other.

I have had tingly/numb fingers and feet for many years - waaaay back when I was in my early 20s.........I recently had a test done for neuropathy - it came back negative.....

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this! After your boost (if your dr allows) I bet you will feel 100% again! You have been sucha fighter - don't give up! It does get better! It really does!

Love,
Erin

Ahhh Thanks Ladies!
I really don't know what I would do without this forum. I tend to neglect the forum when I am not feeling good but the forum never neglects me. Everyone is always so supportive.
I will check on the synthroid issue. Yes I do have feet that feel numb and tingly at times. I will ask my doc to recheck my thyroid and check B12 level. I don't think that carpel tunnel could be the cause but I guess I am not sure. Yes, I would absolutely love to get a "boost" Erin! My doc is of the mindset that this is to be used only in crisis situations. His favourite saying is " if the wheels fall off" we will use this treatment. Makes me feel like an old jalopy!
Thanks again. ~ Mel

Hey Melanie,

I apologize for jumping in a little late. I too get numbness on occasion in some of my fingers, but nothing like yours. I also take synthroid, but had labs recently and it's still just in the normal/low range. Having it repeated next month. I hope your Dr. gets to the bottom of it and you get some relief soon. Take care.

Hugs,
Pat

Thanks Pat, I just went for bloodwork this morning, hopefully it will be sorted out soon. It sounds like thyroid issues and MG kind of go hand in hand.

Yes Melanie, there does seem to be a lot of us with hypothyroidism. I wonder how many have even had a Dr. check theirs? I don't know if it's a routine lab. It would be interesting to know. Please let us know how your labs turn out.

Hugs,
Pat