Hello, my medical history is long but to keep it short as possible I am concerned with tingling sensations which started in my feet, mainly in the evening (also noticed heat and redness at times but not recently), but the tingling has got worse over the last month or so and is spreading up as far as my stomach area. No pain involved.
I assume it's related to my rheumatoid arthritis or med's that I am taking, but would like some advice/more information regards this. Had an isolated case of RA about 12 years ago (middle toe of left foot) which gave me pain and discomfort walking for many years. Strangly the erosion left wasn't on the joint area (?). Taking sulphasalazine eventually cleared the inflamation and enabled me to run and compete again. Sport (especialy running and cycling) has been my passion for many years when not depressed. This has stopped since RA has kicked in as I don't have the energy or ability now (eg hands/wrists not able to control handlebars of bike and too painful going over small bumps etc)
17 months ago I had a swolen finger for some time which eventually developed into sudden carpal tunnel syndrome (12 months ago) and since then I have had permanent inflammation in my left wrist/fingers and right knuckle/wrist/fingers. Note sulphasalazine has helped to stop the pain but never got rid of the inflammation/continuing bone damage.
Meds I'm presently on:
Sulphasalazine (4 tabs - 2000mg per day) for last year. Also started methotrexate 7 weeks ago and just increased it to 15mg this week from 10mg for six weeks (taken once per week) I have aso been taking 5mg of folic acid on the days I don't take methotrexate as I have also been suffering with ongoing hair loss for over a year or so, possibly due to a low (untreated) ferittin level of 12 when diagnosed with arthritis last June 2012 (taking ferrous fumerate tabs for last 5 months and level now 55).
I also suffer with depression (have been on and off various meds for over 20 years now and been unable to work for last 5 years due to the long depression phases: 5-7 months then recover for 3-4 aprox...) and was on Phenelzine up to 45mg per day from Feb 2012 to december 2012. Was effective at first but had to stop it due to bad/unusual side effects (high blood presure, feeling edgy etc). I also wonder if this med had something to do with the hair loss and may have contributed to an arthritis trigger. I also had unexplained weight loss and very little energy when diagnosed with CTS. I also want to note CTS started 12 days afer I had a bad fall when doing a tough fell running race. Surface cuts and bruises sustained and was given a Tetanas booster injection (also wonder if this could have been an arthritis trigger of some sort).
As you can see a long complecated history which doesn't make things easy.
I'm 47 and have had no children but I'm still having regular periods approx every 3 weeks. I mention this as I'm no doubt in my pre menopause phase and this may have an influence on health matters. Note: Depression and RA gets worse during the week before period.
Any advice on the tingling would be appreciated, and possible RA treatment to consider if methotrexate doesn't help.
Thanks,
Hazel
Based Edinburgh, Scotland