QuestionI am a nurse with 11 years experience. Over the past 2 years I have experienced intermittant pain in my hands. It has been so bad that I couldn't write or drive at times. I never made a big deal about it because it happened very seldom and lasted only a few hours at a time. Over the past two weeks, I have experienced the pain constantly, 24 hours a day, in both hands and both feet. It keeps me awake, but it doesn't get any worse when I walk, write, etc. Also nothing makes it any better. I have tried NSADs, pain rubs, heat tx, etc. So I went to see an NP. Basically, I was hysterical, having experienced constant pain for a long period of time. She ran several tests. I am negative for RA, strep, and gout. Another nurse friend of mine did a sort of "ice" test that she said was most likely negative for Raynaud's. The NP gave me Bextra, which I have taken religiously, and makes the severe pain a constant dull ache. But, she essentially has told me that she thought I was in search of pain meds. This is ridiculous. I am a nurse working 60 hours a week. I don't have time to be stoned on Vicoden. Besides, such meds are now readily available on the net. THE PAIN IS REAL! I am tired of hurting all the time. It often feels like my wrists and ankles are made of ice. I have gone so far as running my hairdryer over them and running the heat in my car despite 80 degree temps. Also, they occasionally go numb, which is irritating, and I constantly try to "wake them up." I am trying to obtain a neurology consult, since neuropathy is my next guess, but first someone must believe me. I desperately need help. What do you think? Thank you so much for your time. Carrie Woody
AnswerHi Carrie,
First, It sounds irresponsible to make a charge of hysteria and drug seeking BEFORE a thorough evaluation. I wouldn't go back there. You may be on the right track with a Neuropathy. The question now is from what cause. A neurology appointment is a logical next step. A negative RA only tells you about a point in time. A repeat test in a few months would be advisable. You should have had an ANA done as well. With the problem being intermittent and involving BOTH hands and feet, this is probably a systemic issue versus a localized mono-neuropathy.
Neuropathy can be caused from smoking, Vitamin B12/Folic Acid deficiency, Diabetes, connective tissue disease, Paraneoplastic syndromes etc.
In many cases a cause is never found.
In any event, find a Neurologist that you have trust in and get a thorough exam and stay AWAY from that NP.
