Have others experienced numbness in the forearms and hands?
Yes, numbness and tingling in the hands and forearms are experienced by people with RA. A myRAteam member shared they "lost all feeling in three fingers" before treatment. These symptoms can appear on both sides of the body and may affect the upper limbs.
The Show Full Answer
Have others experienced numbness in the forearms and hands?
Yes, numbness and tingling in the hands and forearms are experienced by people with RA. A myRAteam member shared they "lost all feeling in three fingers" before treatment. These symptoms can appear on both sides of the body and may affect the upper limbs.
The numbness can be caused by several RA-related issues:
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage from RA itself)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (inflammation putting pressure on the median nerve in the wrist)
- Certain RA medications like methotrexate
It's good that your rheumatologist is referring you to a neurologist to determine the specific cause, as this will guide the right treatment approach. What treatments can help restore feeling?
Treatment depends on what's causing the numbness:
For carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Carpal tunnel release surgery has helped many members regain feeling. One member shared that "after surgery, the feeling returned, and I haven't had a problem since."
For peripheral neuropathy from RA:
- Medications prescribed by your doctor to relieve symptoms
- Physical therapy
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Surgery in some cases
General supportive measures:
- Splints or wrist supports to reduce pressure
- Hand exercises to maintain mobility
- Occupational therapy for adaptive strategies
If methotrexate is causing the numbness, notify your healthcare provider immediately, as this can be a serious side effect that often improves with prompt treatment.
January 24
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