Hand cramps
 

Has anyone had any problems with hand that seem to cramp. I can move them ok, but they seem to want to lock-up. Almost reminds me of what Annie called Trigger Finger.
I had lots of problems around the first of the year, but have been really good since, and hope it continues.
It would be helpful if anyone has experienced this to comment about what they thought.
Thanks all
FREDH

Hey, Fred. Maybe it becomes worse with age, this MG hand cramping thing. It also is worse when hand muscles are weaker.

My hands contorted during my MG crisis after I gripped something for less than a minute. Really took me by surprise. After MG improved, so did my hands. That was 2005.

Then in 2015, my hands became worse. First, they were more stiff in the morning. That went away after a couple of hours. Six or so months after that the fingers would stay stiff longer. A couple of months after that, my fingers/thumb began "sticking." I woke up and my left thumb was bent (the distal joint, nearest the nail). I could pop it back into a straight position but it kept wanting not to bend well.

After that, a finger on the left hand and two on the right did the same thing.

Trigger finger is all about the tendons becoming inflamed. It's usually from overuse. Ha! That's funny when one has MG. Although, since our muscles are weaker to begin with, overuse injuries can happen faster than most people after less activity.

After two sets of steroid shots, I am looking at surgery for my thumb. I'm putting it off for now, even though it's a fast surgery (literally 5 minutes).

Anyone who has stiff hands should have some basic tests done, looking for rheumatoid arthritis. It's pretty standard, especially since we can often have more than one AI. My hands were also x-rayed to look for any signs of arthritis as a cause.

I don't have an inflammatory condition. I don't know why my hands are so bad, and neither do the doctors. I frankly think that it's from my MG not sufficiently being treated for so long. Who knows.

I hope that info helps. Can you describe what is going on with your hands?

Annie

My hand cramps have been going on for a couple of years. It is mainly my left thumb. A few years ago when I was getting IVIG cramps would get so bad in my legs I would have to get up out of the chair. For my hands I try to massage them a lot and it lets up. Of course I am in the old folks group.
Mike

Annie,
It is hard to describe. It does not cramp for long, and I still have full use of my hands and fingers. Almost like a leg cramp, but in the hands. As soon as I move my fingers, it is ok for a few minutes.
I hope is not going to get worse!!!
Thanks
FREDH

Hey Mike,
Thanks for the reply. I am also a senior citizen, and maybe that is part of the problem. It is not too bad, and I can work with it if doesn't get worse. It is something that just showed up, and I thought maybe other folks had some of it too. Sounds as if you had something similar. Again thanks for the reply.
Later
FREDH

However . . . that might also be a sign of a heart attack or a blockage! Best to see your primary doc to make sure. An ECG might be useful. Don't assume it's MG, especially for us old farts!

Also, any neuropathy or parasthesia could contribute to that. Have you had your B12 and D checked? Electrolytes?

Annie

Thanks Annie,
I see my primary doctor in about 2 weeks, for 6 mos check-up. I will check with him on this.
Later
FREDH

Hand problems was one of the reasons I retired on disability. I learned to type on manual typewriter back in 1963 and have been typing in some form or fashion since then. However, with the mg, the left 3 fingers on my left hand (baby, ring and middle) just feel very weak and if I insist on trying to use them, they start cramping. The last couple of months I worked, I had to dictate my memos, etc. to one of my staff and they actually typed everything for me. Just typing this is causing them to cramp and without spell check, you would not be able to read this!

Just one more fun thing mg does for us!

Thanks for your info. I guess this happens to several us with MG. Looks like this ailment just keeps getting different twists
Later
FREDH

From time-to-time, different fingers will cramp up. This happens when I am cold. I'll put my hand(s) under my armpits or sit on them and this seems to help. I'm an old-timer, 83 y/o.

Fun, isn't it?