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...

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has anyone got ulnar neuropathy

maxnkeith
maxnkeith
i started off being told i had carpal tunnel in the left wrist, then i was told it was ulnar neuropathy and a strong possibility i have RA......i dont understand !!!!
Angelpuss
Angelpuss
I thought I had carpal tunnel and a pinched ulnar nerve in my left hand. Then I was sure a reaction to the Swine Flu vaccination was causing migratory pain and swelling. When I first saw the Rheumatologist and he had more blood tests done, I was diagnosed with RA. I guess RA can mimic some other problems such as carpal tunnel. I'm still getting my head around RA.
deleted_user
deleted_user
The story sounds familiar. I was diagnosed first with carpal tunnel when I was 20, then with ulnar neuropathy when I was 28, then with RA at 34 (I actually had RA the whole time). They'll take blood tests to help ferret out if you have RA, but hand problems are paramount in this disease for a lot of people (feet problems too). Try not to worry until you actually get the diagnosis of RA though....no point in worrying yourself silly if you really only have neuropathy in your hands. Good luck to you...
KiddoGal
KiddoGal
Yep, my first major symptom was thinking I had carpel tunnel, wore the wrist braces and all! Actually got some relief from wearing them too. but then it got worse and i went to an orthopaedic doctor who did a few simple tests while examining me. He told me to go see an RA doctor, definitely not carpel tunnel. And.....yep! I did have RA.
disneyfan
disneyfan
What is ulnar neuropathy?
Angelpuss
Angelpuss
Hi Disneyfan,
Ulnar neuropathy is an inflammation or compression of the ulnar nerve, resulting in paresthesia (numbness, tingling, and pain) in the outer side of the arm and hand near the little finger.
I've still got all the above but now it's part of RA which can also compress the nerve. LOL I don't think you win either way.
CharlieBaxter
CharlieBaxter
Description

The ulnar nerve transmits impulses to muscles in the forearm and hand. The nerve is responsible for the proper sensing of touch, texture, and temperature throughout the fourth and fifth digits of the hand, the palm, and the underside of the forearm. Ulnar neuropathy arises most commonly because of damage to the nerve as it passes through the wrist. The elbow is also a frequent site of nerve damage. Ulnar neuropathy is variously known as bicycler's neuropathy, cubital tunnel syndrome, Guyon or Guyon's canal syndrome, and tardy ulnar palsy.