Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

2,179 Members

16,355 Posts

0 Online

lretz 12/06/2013

Ok, I was at a rheumy appt today and asked about hands shaking even when at rest and kind of jerking. I woke up this morning and they were doing it. I thought it was just another typical side effect of RA but apparently not. In thinking back, it started when I started taking mtx. I only took it 1 month because it caused all kinds of bad side effects. I have been off of it and on other meds for the last 6 weeks, so I don't know. I'm curious if anybody else has this issue or has any ides what's going on. It drives me absolutely crazy when trying to type.

SecretSurvivor 12/06/2013

I don't know if it's an RA symptom or not but I have the "shaky" hands thing quite frequently. I usually get it when I get the " weak hands" thing. I can't make a fist or grip anything. it's also painful & hard to extend my fingers fully. at those times, if I hold my hands out, I can see them visibly shaking. the feeling is of pain & pure weakness. I don't know what causes it but I'm not on MTX yet & I had these symptoms before I was on my plaquenil.

lretz 12/06/2013

Oh yes, you're right. It is in accompaniment with hands being weak and stiff. I was kind of surprised when the doc said it wasn't normal and something we needed to watch.

bluedogs2 12/07/2013

Ole Bluedogs2 has the same "stuff" - shaky hands and no strength - can't open fully and extend fingers or close tightly into a fist -
Showed both the DO and rheumy last week and both said it could be auto immune related or a side effect of the umpteen pills I'm taking, so ...
I am skipping meds (a coupe a day for a week) to see if I can weed out a med. Frankly, I don't think a week is going to show me anything because some of this meds require a slow down period before all side effects are gone. But it makes me feel like I'm doing something and right now, that is important to my mental state.
Be well and Peace to all
Bluedogs2

lretz 12/07/2013

Thank you bd2. I'm sorry you're experiencing this too. Only meds I'm currently taking is Arava and prednisone. It started when I started mtx. Did that for 4 weeks, then did sulfasalazine for 2 weeks, now been on Arava for almost a month. I have taken prednisone for a good part of the time. Was supposed to start humira Friday, but I keep having shingles breakouts, so rheumy had me get the vaccine Friday, so now I have to wait another 2-4 weeks before I can start it. Ugh.

bluedogs2 12/07/2013

Sorry Iretz that you are juggling too. This "stuff" we deal with is just insidious as the dickens and a real bummer when something really needs to be done and I know I can't do it even before I start, but dang it, I try anyway. MBDs2 worries all the time watching me struggle. She knows I won't quit.
Stay with it. I do know what you are going through. Hang tough
Peace
Bluedogs2

annettearizona 12/08/2013

I know the feeling about the shaking-my hand(s) have done that ever since 1987-they figure i have nerve damage,but it can be pesty

deleted_user 12/08/2013

I too have the shaky hands thing. I've always thought it is from PAIN, as I have noticed that's when it's always the worse & noticeable. If I take a pain pill and go rest then it gets better. I don't know for sure, but that's my thinking on it. (!?)

Join the Conversation