yup, been there. I usually get it on my upper arms and next to my wrists and around my feet/ankles - usually precedes a flare.

Check your vitamin B12 levels. It might be low.

{{{hugs}}}

mmztcass is right. A potent nerve and blood vessel toxin found in RA called homocysteine will rise in direct proportion to reduced levels of B12. This symptom is also found in Fabry disease, a genetic disorder where the the person is deficient in the pancreatic enzyme needed to metabolize lipids (fats). If you are missing proteases (the pancreatic enzymes that break down proteins) you will not be able to release B12. B12 is only found in dietary proteins. Our group,(Curing Autoimmune and Mimics) is focused on the restoration of these missing enzymes. You can just type it in the upper search to find it. This same symptom (burning hands) is what led to the discovery of missing pancreatic enzymes in lupus, fibro etc. Here is a link to a study in Science Daily discussing the missing pancreatic enzyme in lupus and stating it is a "causitive factor in the development of lupus" The enzyme is DNase 1. It is made in the pancreas. Pay special attention to the last paragraph where is discusses this missing enzyme.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100503161423.htm

JC...have you ever had shingles? When I got shingles I had burning and tingling on my scalp and a few days later had the shingles come out. They were not even bad..just 2 little bumps. I went to the DR right away and was treated immediately and they never even spread. I would definitely call your Dr about your symptoms though! Feel better soon!

Could this bean antibody reaction to the Humira? I recently had itchy bumps preceding a flare. Dr says I have developed antibodies which cause this side reaction and makes my Remicade less effective. He increased the dosage and added MTX and I am getting better.

B12 levels okay or at least I think so. My doctor gave me a B12 shot then check took blood after the shot to check my B12... came back at like 1999.

Dermatologist said no shingles since I do not have any rash of any kind and was told that is the only way shingles is diagnosed (via rash).

I not sure what is going on but still having painful burning sensation on arms, legs, face, feet... no rash, no redness.... feels like fire is coming from my eyes.

Off all meds at this time and seeing another RA doc at the end of the month. Thank you all for your input!!

JC

Now that I think of it, I have had that feeling around my ankles. It is so not a good feeling. Hope you are feeling better soon. You should give your Rheumatologist a call and let him or her know how you are feeling.

I have that burning sensation on my back in a few different places. It comes and goes and like you there is no rash. It is painful. I have not found a solution to stopping the pain. It eventually goes away by itself only to return a few days later.
Good luck! Keep us posted.

B12 in supplement form would not be absorbed into your cells. There is only one place in your body where B12 can be absorbed properly-your lower intestine. Your body needs something called intrinsic factor also. They are like little pac-men that your body makes for one reason-to capture and escort B12 to its destination in the lower intestine. B12 is that important to your body. It is essential for every cell to function properly. Intrinsic factor is made from amino acids that are derived from the break down of dietary proteins.

A high serum level (blood level) can be very deceiving. It is the cellular level that matters. Study after study shows lack of B12 plays a central role in autoimmune disease. For instance, pernicious anemia is 20 TIMES MORE COMMON IN HYPOTHYROIDISM. Pernicious anemia is caused by a B12 deficiency.

Yes! Yes! Yes!! I have an unbelievable burning sensation, usually on tops of my hands and on my feet. It is like fire in my skin and even hot to the touch...there is no rash or mark to indicate something is wrong. Just last night, both of my feet felt like they had been dipped in acid. I take B-12 shots weekly and have never shown a low B-12 level. I have found that if I take a Zyrtec or any antihistimine or a Zanax, it tends to go away. Several years ago, I started having hives that would not respond to antihisitimines or even steriod shots. That was the reason for checking my Rheumatoid Factor...it was slightly elevated at that point. It has since more than tripled, and the inflammation set it and the rest is history. Sometimes, if I can stand to keep ice on it long enough to make the burning go numb, I can get some relief. It is awful and I feel your pain!! I have had that sensation from head to toe over the last few years. More recently it has been isolated to hands and feet. If it is truly indicative of an oncoming flare, I must stay in never ending cycle as it happens all the time. Good luck!! It has been my experience that a hot shower will ease it for a short time, but it seems to come back with a vengance. If you are ever given a valid explanation for it, please let me know! Have a good night!

The Burning Hands syndrome I have this. I don't have the Burning Tongue Syndrome. I first began learning about the latter back around 2005 or so when someone mentioned it at a Graves' Disease I participated at.

I never would put two and two together until I began reading bits and pieces here and there to try to understand this. Then, of course, I got the final piece of the puzzle about the B12 deficiency in the last six weeks.

{{{hugs}}}