Gosh, could be a pinched nerve in the neck. Sometimes the Prednisone helps some swelling that can happen with a pinched neck.
I think you need to know that even if you have MCTD, you can develop other problems that are not caused by or related to the disease.
That being said, all your joint pain sounds suspiciously like MCTD but the hand problem sounds like something else.
Ask the Dr if it could be a neck problem and if you need an x ray or specialist.
Good luck.
Mary Ann

Hi Grace,
I'm concerned by a number of things in your post!

From everything I've understood, a positive RNP means you have MCTD. However, as Mary Ann said, there are all kinds of secondary issues that occur with MCTD, and auto-immune diseases in general.

I experienced something similar to what you are having with your hand. Luckily not as severe. What you have sounds like "Cubital Tunnel Syndrome". Google it, it sounds exactly like what you are describing, including the elbow pain too.

I had very similar problems but with Carpal Tunnel, which is the opposite side of the hand but the same symptoms. Tingling, then numbness if I did not position my arm in a certain way. All of it due to inflammation and swelling on the median nerve. Prednisone alone did not get rid of this problem for me. I am on many other medications along with Prednisone but it has been the Methotrexate that has helped me the most with this specific problem, among others.

Out of all of these doctors you've gone to, have any of them been a Rheumatogist? Depending on your insurance, do your best to get an appointment with the best Rheumatologist you can find within driving distance.

I'm very concerned about you dropping from 60 to 40 mg of prednisone overnight. That sounds like a steep drop very suddenly. Whenever I have had to taper down on prednisone it is always in 5mg increments and even that causes me a lot of aches and pains. I worry you will be in a lot of pain within a day or so by dropping so much so fast.

I think if I've learned anything the past year or so with this disease, I've learned that finding a really good rheumatologist is one of the most important things you can do if possible.

I think you've come to the right place. The people here have been so helpful, knowledgeable and supportive. Keep us posted!

I agree that it's a pinched ulnar nerve - Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

I could go to a Rheumatologist - however, I live about 100 miles from the nearest metropolis. We have a few locally; but, they don't come recommended (as is often the case with small town docs).

My new family doc is awesome and willing to let me try whatever I ask - which is why I'm reading all the input here and on other blogs.

I am hoping the pinched nerve will go away as the long-term swelling in my elbows eases. Right now, I'm suppose to ask about Naltrexone.

I love all your great input. Keep sharing.

I have these same symptoms. I feel it is a constant battle with Carpel Tunnel. Due to swelling with UCTD I sleep with full finger braces. This helps allot. If I don't sleep with them I wake several times each night with numb fingers. Different ones at different times. My elbows used to lock or not fully extend. But now snap loudly often. But I now have full range.

I take kineret daily
Plaquenil twice daily. Feel free to ask me anything

i had carpal tunnel in both hands and would wake up aroung 2 am with both hands somehow both completely numb and yet also feeling like i was holding them in a fire... all i could do was get up and walk around the house until it eased, which sometimes took up to two hours. I got cortisone shots in each wrist and it cured it completely in the left hand. The right one took two shots, a few months apart. it's been over a year now with no problems.
I took the same approach this year with De Quervain's syndrome in my left arm. After six months of increasing pain and numbness, i asked for a shot. It took two, maybe because i'd waited so long, but it's fine now. I know the cortisone shots aren't great for you, but i'd rather one or two localised shots than taking an oral steroid that's going to, in my mind, affect all of my body, including places I'm not having problems with... just a thought.

I would just like to respond to Laraly's comment about MCTD and the RNP antibodies in case someone new is checking out this site and misunderstands. I know I learn so much from you all and I appreciate it so much. Sometimes the in posts it's hard to get everything in and we can be misunderstand.
Yes, you do need RNP antibodies to be diagnosed with MCTD. It is the only connective tissue disease that has specific antibodies as part of the criteria for diagnosis. But just having RNP antibodies alone does not mean that you have MCTD. No competent rheumatologist will diagnose you on antibodies alone, without symptoms. Some Rheumy's will want you to fulfill the ACR criteria, but many will diagnose you if you have at least a few of the common symptoms and the RNP antibodies. Having Raynaud's is a big indicator, most people with MCTD have Raynauds. Diagnosis is a combination of things not RNP antibodies alone. I just wanted to make that clear for any newbies or people that may wander on this site doing research. Sorry if I was stating he obvious and if my comment was unnecessary. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and thanks for all you taught me.

First of all - thank you ALL so much for your input. It is unbelievable the amount of knowledge you give. I take it, think it through, look things up on other blogs and google and try to understand what my next move will be.

I'm in so much pain right now, I can barely behave. I have spent the day crying because I feel my life is falling down around me.

My family doctor is treating me as best he can. He's been so supportive; but he realizes he's out of his league. When he put me on the Prednisone, the pain in my ankles went away within four days. I was so happy. We switched me to Plaquenil and the pain came back. Of course, I was only on it for a few days and as I understand it, it takes months for this to 'sink in.'

Dealing with the elbows and ankles has been an ongoing problem for 20 months now. After no medical help for so long, it was painful but I managed. Now that I have this impingement (yes, the doc says it is most definitely an ulnar nerve - thank you all for suggesting this), my right hand is almost useless.

The cold is here - 38 - and the pain is indescribable. I work in the woods - I am a salmon spawning ground surveyor, climbing in and out of river systems. There's steep hills, rugged terrain, water (of course), bushes, mud, trees, etc. The cold weather has settled in and my life has turned to hell. I work with a partner and I can't let her know how much pain I'm in.

You suggest I find a Rheumotologist. But, with this pinched ulnar nerve, maybe I need a Neurologist? Working in the woods - there is no cell signal. So, after a 12 hour day of busting thru the woods, I need to keep my thoughts straight and start finding MORE doctors? Also, after visiting 8 quacks, the idea of meeting and dealing with another doctor just turns me off. They don't care. They don't know what the hell they're doing. The ones I've gone to - Orthos, mostly, told me I was faking it; getting old; or, just shot my elbows up with steroids.

I am sorry to dump all this on everyone. I'm so lost. In so much pain. Single. Broke (cuz the health insurance won't pay cuz they say this is probably from a car wreck in 2011). And tired. Yes, I am just so tired.

Moorgrace,

So sorry to hear that you spent the first day of 2013 crying and in pain! I'm new to dealing with this crappy disease too and don't have any great advice to impart...just hope things improve for you.

I think everyone has covered most information pretty well. The prednisone can cause sleeplessness, so this could be contributing to some of your issues. Sleeping with braces on your wrist will help too. A combination of prednisone and plaquenil can help until things stabilized. Sometimes a pain med is required for awhile too. I hope things get better for you soon, it is a terrible thing to be in constant pain.......The hiking and tromping through the woods is not going to help you unfortunately. Sometimes acupuncture can help, if there is one close to you.....and the turmeric helps too....it is a natural anti inflammatory and one thing I recommend to anyone with a chronic illness is an adrenal supplement. The meds and the stress of the illness plays havoc with your adrenal glands. I have found that if I stop taking one I get tired and rundown which leads to feeling depressed and isolated........it's all cyclical.
Good luck and feel free to ask anything.
Beth

Hi you probably already know what I am about to say or maybe you did not mean you were having problems with insurance over you right armand hand issue I am unsure but you sound so miserable I feel like have to say something. Ask for a neuro referral get in find out if you can be treated need surgery or what the problem is for sure but as long as the car accident is not brought up this is a new problem and should not be confused with any other issues including mctd you put that on your history but don't bring it up keep everything geared to this this just happened this is new never had problem with thus before etc you, know this but I personally get going in a drs office before I can stop myself and sometimes it causes problems. If it is simple current problem the doc will be more than happy to fix au up if it becomes complicated they start wondering hat the real deal is and it just makes getting the simple stuff hard to take care of I don't know why and I think sometimes I would think if I didn't let say a neuralgia everything I might be losing an important chance for his input. You may need surgery and the sooner you get what u need the less likely permanent damage will occur. I understand about dealing with new doc and insurance issues and work issues so if you keep it simple u will get through it as best and quick as possible. I hope u understand what I am trying to say I just know I kept trying to fully answer questions and all I did was cause,myself issues after over 20 surgeries of different things I have,learned something get in get out and pray it fixes it. Tj

prednisone keeps me awake ,my eyeballs are bouncing around my head when I close my eyes. hate it but then love how it helps my pain !