Painful Joints in Hand

[Lilu323]

Hi Everyone,
I have a question. Recently my hands are really starting to hurt more. My joints in my hand when rubbed hurt and are a slight swollen. I asked my nephrologist and he just laughed and said he didn't know why. I feel like sometimes these doctors just blame it that you are on dialysis and there is nothing that can be done for it. Anyway they also started cracking a lot and a night I wake up with the pain because they got so stiff. Massaging seems to be the best for it. Anyideas what it could be. I'm 31. Thanks guys!

[peleroja]

Sounds like plain old arthritis to me.  Heat is usually helpful.  Wearing gloves might help.  Even better is that kit they sell (not exactly cheap) that melts wax and you then immerse your hand in the wax which coats it and keeps it warm.  Anyone else have other ideas?

[jbeany]

Check your calcium levels, too.  That can build up in your joints if it's too high for too long.

It may also be "trigger finger", where the tendons are irritated, making the joints lock into place.  That's common in diabetics and dialysis patients, too.  The most common treatment for that is simply letting it heal on its own, but they can give steroid shots for it if it persists.

[RightSide]

It could be renal osteodystrophy--abnormal development of the bones due to the disorders of calcium, phosphorus, and PTH in us ESRD patients.

In fact, that's how my ESRD was originally diagnosed.  I went to my PCP for bone pains, thinking all I had was the beginning of arthritis.  The X-rays showed bone swelling, just like arthritis.  But just to be on the safe side, they gave me a full blood test workup to see if anything else might be amiss.

And the rest is history.

[Quickfeet]

How is your uric acid. it could be gout. though it usually starts in the feet.

[Brightsky69]

I am on PD and wake up every morning stiff especially in my hands. But usually once I get moving I am ok. But then if I sit for long periods I can get stiff again. I don't get swelling.

I don't know what it is. Wish i could help.