Sudden finger and toe pain

[NPlesky65]

I've had pain in my left hand most of this week, I thought I may have hurt it somehow even though I couldn't remember doing so. It started in my little finger, like a bone pain. It's now also in my thumb, and has started on the little finger of my other hand and is really painful. I can close my fist but it feels quite swollen.

I've also been waking at night with toe pain when the bedsheet has been tight against them. I have had chilblains on them on and off for a few years. It's not been cold lately but I assumed my new running shoes were maybe too tight.

But now I am quite worried 😪have I suddenly developed arthritis at age 40? Or something worse. I really don't know what's going on...

Have you any redness? Sounds like it could possibly be gout?

Do you feel well otherwise? I've had a flu-type bug all week and keep getting bone pain in my hands (especially thumbs) and feet.

Pains in what felt like the bones of my fingers and toes was the start of rheumatoid arthritis for me. Diagnosed within a couple of months after the pains started.

Low vitamin D?

I was wondering about B12, I have pernicious anemia and small joint pain is how it presents for me

Thanks all, no redness. No illness either
@CottageGate

@AllyC how does it get diagnosed? Is it manageable?

I do have a blood test next week so let's see if it picks something up. I have extremey low iron and have been on supplements, so it is to see if there has been any improvement.

With the toes I thought it could be circulation issues from the low iron but the hand pain feels like something else entirely.

I had a number of blood tests. They treated me for gout first but medication did nothing. I think they specifically tested for rheumatoid arthritis then and bloods came back as positive. There are certain markers they look for.

I find it very manageable really. I think an early diagnosis makes a real difference. I am on methotrexate 20mls once a week and a biologic every second week Amgevita 50ml. Flare ups do happen especially if cold and damp (I live in Ireland 🙈). The fatigue for me is the most annoying thing. Honestly the medication manages the pain very well. It’s not as bad as it sounds, well for me anyway. I’m an avid walker and do Pilates which I think helps too. I’m not thrilled I have it but it’s manageable.

When you don’t know what’s causing the pain it’s horrible. I hope you get to the bottom of it quickly 🙂

I always know when my Vitamin D is low as my fingers and toes start to ache

That sounds really uncomfortable, and I can understand why you're worried, especially with it coming on so suddenly. A relative of mine had something similar and assumed it was arthritis, but it turned out to be something quite different after they were properly assessed. I'd definitely get it checked by your GP rather than trying to guess the cause. They also found Leafease helpful later on for managing ongoing pain alongside their medical care. I hope you get some answers soon.

Could it be perimenopause? One of my first symptoms was pain in the joints of my feet/toes. It went away with HRT. (Though I do now get a bit occasionally in my hands).

As a PP said I often get pain in my fingers as a first sign of a flu/cold/covid. Seems these joints are sensitive to general inflammation.