Ok, now.. I have been having this for around 4 months and when I wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning(Mainly in the morning) My hands, both left and right are closed shut. When I try to open them, it hurts so very bad, that I cannot stand it!! I mean I have to pry them open with one hand prying the right, the other hand prying the left to open thm!! They are swelled, along with my left foot and ankle, but the hands hurt so bad!! I don't know why they even close so darn tight while I am sleeping. And I sometimes leave them shut, rather than prying them open. I feel like I am making no sense here! Well, this is all about what is going on. does anyone know why this happens? It never happened before I got the "Beast, RSD"??)The pain feels like my hands are both broken! When I do open them, they try to close again and I have to lay them both flat on each side of the bed and cry like a huge baby!! I hate to even mention I cry! Well, if anyone knows? has had this, please tell me is it the RSD? something else? Thank you!~Love, Desi

Swelling and stiffness, especially in the morning, is one of the symptoms of arthritis. There is much more to a good diagnosis, of course, and you have other things going on, too.

But, my rheumatologist has seen very few "combination" patients -- both rheumatiod arthritis and RSD -- and has commented that my symptome are not exactly like most RA patients.

If your regular doctor is not able to get anywhere, ask about a referral to a rheumatologist.

Hope you get better. This could be a simple treatment. (Fingers crossed, even though it hurts!)

Mike

Hi Mike and thank you very much for your reply! My PCD already sent me to a rheumatologist and there is no sign of that. So, my PCD also ran a series of tests and wants me to go back in about a month to see if it has anything to do with RSD?? This is all just so crazy and I can't understand why I am getting this now?? I mean I never had it before? The pain, hurting. Can it do anything to relate to the RSD? He said there is a possiability, but how?? I have RSD in my right wrist, it then spread to my arm, shoulder, left foot, ankle.. but both hands hurting like this is really a puzzle! thank you again, Mike! ~Love, Desi

Hi Desi,

You poor thing. This is still going on? I haven't been around much lately because of my sacro pain but my mother-in -law had a problem with her hand that turned out to be cellulitis. Just wanted to pass that on to you so maybe you could ask about it. Hope you get help soon.

Linmarie

Desi,

My hands often curl up.. I often wake up with my hands looking like what you have described yours to be doing. My hands also do this when I am stressed and sometimes for unknown reason.

My doc checked for arthritis.. none found. He said that it has to be the RSD. My right foot has been curled under for about 3 yrs now. Left foot has been curled for about a year.

Just thought I'd let you know you are not alone.


Abbie

Hi Desi,
I have read that some people have dystonia associated with their RSD. Maybe if you google that, it might provide some info.
Good luck,
Jeanne

Hi Desi - it's not arthritis, it's dystonia. Horribly painful. It is important to pry your hands open no matter how hard it is, because your hands could get stuck that way permanently. Maybe wearing some hand braces at night could help? sorry you're getting this symptom too

Hi Desi...

I'm so sorry it has taken me a long time to get back to you... I somehow missed the thread.

My hands still curl quite frequently.... they cramp up so tight---it's very painful. I do everything I can to straighten them out. I often hold a soft rubber ball in my hands so that they don't curl too tightly.---I have even held the ball and had someone place a soft sock over my hand and the ball before I lay down to sleep.

As far as my feet... as painful as it is... I wear slip on shoes as much as possible--I wear the fuzzy lined crocs. It helps to keep my toes from trying to touch my heal.

I wish I knew of someway to make this completely quit happening but I have not found anything.


Abbie