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Finger Joint Pain

KCG91

By KCG91
in Related Issues & Disorders

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KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted

On and off over the years my right index finger has been a bit painful in the 'top' joint (nearest the nail). Over the last few months I've noticed it 'spreading' to the other joints in that finger and now into my wrist and middle finger. My wrist is just achy but the finger joints are a throbbing pain at times and a little stiff but not really hot or swollen that I can see. Tonight it feels like I've slammed my fingers in a car door :( not helped by three hours dialling phones at work. I feel stupid going to the doctor with a sore finger - any ideas here? In itself it isn't a particular problem but it's the spread in the painful area that's alarmed me a bit. 

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IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

You may have osteoarthritis. I do. Sometimes, my fingers, and all my joints (esp, hips)  hurt quite a bit and sometimes, I do not notice them hurting at all. It depends on the weather, repetitive use, if I got glutened, that sort of thing.

 

I had OA develop long before my C D diagnosis,  but I am pretty sure C D came first. OA is a tag-along with celiac sometimes.

 

I take fish oil caps and collagen caps and off gluten, they feel a lot less ouchy. In fact, the OA is not that bad when managed and when I keep moving, "keep the joints lubed", so to speak. ^_^

 

Sorry you are hurting, but you may want to have a rheumatologist check you out. 

 

it's not as painful as RA, so i am told, but it is degenerative and I have had some disc degeneration. if I walk or swim daily, I can keep it under control. Just a suggestion, I may be wrong. 

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

In my experience, When my immune system goes nuts my arthritic joints will flare (especially that coffee cup finger).  For me that means anything that surpresses the immune system: a cold virus, gluten, infection, allergies etc. will start a cascading effect of AI issues.  With me, my immune system is not very strong because of cancer and removed lymph nodes so any of those triggers will affect me for a good month.  If another trigger hits in that month I will continue with all of my symptoms.  Remember, if your immune system is attacking, you may experience any number of issues.  My list includes: joint, muscle and skin pain, sore throat, swollen neck and accompanying nodes, dry itchy eyes, migraines, constipation, mouth sores, dry red areas around my mouth, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, increase in lymphedema, increased sun sensitivity, increased thirst, mystery rashes and basically just feeling crappy...lol.

 

Hang in there and note that everything may not be a gluten hit but a different immune triggers.  I have only been glutened three times in the past 2 some years but have felt ill for much of that time due to other immune triggers.

 

Colleen

KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for the replies, guys. It's nice to have somewhere where 'oh no, my fingers hurts!' doesn't get totally side eyed ;) It's all still sore so I think I will get it checked. I also wondered about carpal tunnel syndrome as I do a lot of pole fitness, yoga, aerial acrobatics which puts stress on my wrist (but I can't spot a specific injury so hey who knows). 

That's an interesting point about the whole immune system effectively going on the attack as well... My doctor noticed that I always get thrush after a cold (TMI sorry!) which is the weirdest thing, but at least I'm prepared now. 
Irish you are so right about keeping moving. I've been doing a 20 day Bikram yoga challenge and even today when I just wanted to roll up in my mat and snooze through the rest of class it was worth it for how much better I felt afterwards! 

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

 

Irish you are so right about keeping moving. I've been doing a 20 day Bikram yoga challenge and even today when I just wanted to roll up in my mat and snooze through the rest of class it was worth it for how much better I felt afterwards! 

 

Oh honey.. you're sweet.... but your "keep moving" and my "keep moving" are totally different. ^_^

 

I do yoga poses, not a Bikram challenge, I suspect  you are much younger and have never had a surgery yet. 

 

While my spirit is willing and I am flexible, my damaged body has different ideas.  :D

 

Don't kill yourself if you are still in healing mode. 

across Contributor
across
Posted

I also have had osteoarthritis in my finger joint. Going off gluten has made a world of difference in that, but so has fish oil. When I'm not taking it, the swelling and pain start back up.

Celiacandme Apprentice
Celiacandme
Posted

I'm late to this thread. Let us know what the doctor says! Good luck!

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KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted
  • Author

Oh honey.. you're sweet.... but your "keep moving" and my "keep moving" are totally different. ^_^

 

I do yoga poses, not a Bikram challenge, I suspect  you are much younger and have never had a surgery yet. 

 

While my spirit is willing and I am flexible, my damaged body has different ideas.  :D

 

Don't kill yourself if you are still in healing mode. 

 

Haha! Yeah just after I got diagnosed I spent three months resting to recover. During this period my uncle admitted he was kind of intimidated about what I'd be like when I was 'more energetic'. I'm just grateful to have a body that works pretty well now and enjoy using it :)

I'll report back. I've had a few crazy weeks recently - I'm about to move home to England from Scotland so I've been, erm, making the most of my university city! Too much action, not enough sleep and I've just had to rush home from a street party with a thrush flare. So painful :( I will have to re-register with a new doctor at home and I'm really hoping that they just accept my blood tests/falling antibodies and aren't difficult about my non-biopsy diagnosis  - I can't stand a challenge but I have come to rely on my prescription basics. 

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

Thank you for the replies, guys. It's nice to have somewhere where 'oh no, my fingers hurts!' doesn't get totally side eyed ;) It's all still sore so I think I will get it checked. I also wondered about carpal tunnel syndrome as I do a lot of pole fitness, yoga, aerial acrobatics which puts stress on my wrist (but I can't spot a specific injury so hey who knows). 

That's an interesting point about the whole immune system effectively going on the attack as well... My doctor noticed that I always get thrush after a cold (TMI sorry!) which is the weirdest thing, but at least I'm prepared now. 

Irish you are so right about keeping moving. I've been doing a 20 day Bikram yoga challenge and even today when I just wanted to roll up in my mat and snooze through the rest of class it was worth it for how much better I felt afterwards! 

 

Oldest son had gotten thrush with cold bugs his entire life -- pre gluten removal -- now it is very rare -- can't remember the last time it happened to him...this month is his five year anniversary :)

 

In my experience -- no matter which decade I was living -- when joints are in pain it is time to take it easy on exercise...that doesn't mean stop...just meant I skied half day instead of whole (ok fuzzy math there...more like 6 hours instead of 8)...and rode my bike shorter distances...walked a little slower...you get the picture. 

 

Hang in there :)

KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted
  • Author

GottaSki that's interesting that he had the same problem! Since March (when the doc made the link) I actually haven't had a problem (which is the longest break in ages). 

 

I think you may be in league with my knees...those tight runner's quads which sometimes cause knee pain have flared up so I'm taking the hint and scaling it back a bit :) My (wonderful!) new GP couldn't check for carpal tunnel symptoms as the pain is now gone but she's re-running all the usual coeliac bloods, including rheumatoid (not sure exactly what test) which should shed a bit more light. 

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