Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Hi everyone! I wanted input on Carpal Tunnel and if anyone else noticed that their Carpal Tunnel only shows up during their Lupus flares? And finds if a treatment is working, their Carpal Tunnel fades? I feel like this, and my doctor says my Carpal tunnel is seperate from my Lupus but it does not feel this way at all. Any input? I could be wrong, but I keep reading they are related, or at least Lupus can cause it? And I figure that maybe if my Lupus calms down, then the Carpal tunnel will calm down.

Nate:

I have had Cubital Tunnel which is basically the same thing, it just affects a different nerve in the arm. Without a doubt, it was worse when I had a flare and by that, I mean that my labs were elevated at the time. I saw two neurologists because the neuropathy in my legs was also acting up, and they both agreed that Cubital/Carpal Tunnel can be a result of inflammation. The neuropathy was too.

My Rheumatologist disagreed and said neuropathy and Cubital Tunnel were not Lupus-related at all. She told me I probably had MS and walked out the door. That was the last time I saw her...she was fired.

"Pressure on the central nerve in the wrist causes a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. It is characterized by tingling, numbness, and pain in the fingers, which sometimes affects the entire hand. A number of medical conditions, including lupus, can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. When carpal tunnel occurs with lupus, it is usually because inflammation in your wrist is putting pressure on the nerves."

www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnaffects.aspx?articleid=2322&zoneid=526

So THAT is the answer to your question. I found that sleeping with my arms straight out (not bent at the elbows) helped the nerve entrapment. There are also exercises you can do to help it.

Tell your Rheumatologist to read the link from the Lupus Foundation and put it in his pipe and smoke it.

Exactly! Thank you. I even asked my rheuma about the redness in my knuckles and said that doesn't seem related to normal carpal tunnel. And he kind of avoided all my points, it really irritates me he is so stuck to not be proven wrong by a patient (or maybe because I'm a nurse). I just printed that out, because I think he needs to pay attention to my other symptoms besides just my fevers. They are just as consistent since 2007. Oye. But I have always gotten my way in the end, we just have to take the scenic route and satisfy his ego. I told him back in 2007 I needed Rituxan to help with my Lupus. When we finally got there like 2 years later, all my labs improved and I tolerated a lower prednisone dose. And he said he said it helped me but how he doesn't understand, and NOW he says "No, no it helped you a minute amount and we aren't giving it again." Which I think is BS, I think I need to receive it again, as it has been over a year since I got it and it helped. I get tired of making him see past his own brain sometimes.

From all of my research, I have found that anything and everything can be Lupus-related. I once found a list of things on a web site and it scared the bejabbers out of me. I wish I still had the site, because the list was so long and unbelievable, but it was reputable.

It said that people with Lupus have an increased risk of Guillain Barre, Transverse myelitis, you name it, it was on the list. I recently had Achilles Tendinitis from an antibiotic and found that people with Lupus are more susceptible to that side effect. My problem is that all of my doctors look at my problems and blame Lupus instead of actually looking for a possible other cause. The thinking is, oh well, that's Lupus, you can't do anything about it. It's frustrating. Sometimes I do find a way to treat a problem and while it might be indirectly caused by Lupus, it is something that was simple to treat.