Health Do you have a problem youd like answered? If so, write to us at: Inspire magazine, 1 Cambridge Technopark, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8PB or email inspire@versusarthritis.org Ask the doctor ISTOCK.COM / YODIYIM Whether its a health niggle or emotional problem, Inspires DR SARAH JARVIS gets straight to the point Q I originally had joint pains in my knees, but I now have a stiff neck, shoulders, painful hands and feet, hips, lower back and elbows. My muscles are often tender, I am woken at night, and experience dead hands. What could this be? Audrey Freeman FIND OUT MORE Read more about carpal tunnel and fibromyalgia at versusarthritis.org/ carpal-tunnel-syndrome and versusarthritis.org/ fibromyalgia Dr Sarah Jarvis answers: Stiff and painful joints are common, and there are multiple causes. However, in osteoarthritis, its usual to have pain in just one or two large joints (such as the hips or knees), or joints of the hands or spine. Stiffness is also common in osteoarthritis, but hot, red, inflamed joints are not and you dont usually feel unwell. Several types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis do often lead to inflamed, tender joints, and you can also feel tenderness in the surrounding muscles. However, fibromyalgia, which is a common cause of muscle tenderness, especially in women can also lead to pain in tendons, ligaments and muscles. It can also lead to numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. If a patient of mine comes in with dead hands at night, I always assume its carpal tunnel syndrome until proved otherwise. The symptoms are largely due to compression of the median nerve, which supplies power and sensation to the muscles and skin of your thumb and the fingers next to it. Symptoms tend to be worse at night, and are often made better by hanging your hand down over the side of the bed. They include pain in the hand and wrist, numbness and tingling and, in severe cases, muscle weakness and wasting. Theres often no obvious reason for carpal tunnel syndrome, but rheumatoid arthritis coupled with pregnancy, underactive thyroid, being overweight and a genetic tendency can be to blame. Given your combination of symptoms, I would suggest seeing your doctor for blood tests to exclude an inflammatory arthritis. There is no single test to confirm or exclude fibromyalgia, but the combination of symptoms and presence of tender trigger points in your muscles often means you can get a diagnosis. Ask the expert GUY BRAIN is a Helpline Advisor for Versus Arthritis Q My mother is in her early 80s and is badly affected by osteoarthritis. Im getting somewhat stiff and sore myself, with creaky knees. I am a reasonable weight for my height. Whats your advice about supplements? David, 53 Guy Brain answers: Its good to hear that you are watching your weight, although we still encourage plenty of gentle exercise, however much you weigh. There isnt much evidence that supplements and herbal remedies can improve arthritis or its symptoms, but many people feel they benefit from taking them. Versus Arthritis has published a complementary medicines report, where a range of supplements were tested in randomised controlled trials. These included ginger, rosehip, turmeric and willow bark. If youd like to know more, you can read the report at versusarthritis.org/ media/1337/complementaryand-alternative-medicinesreport.pdf, or call our Helpline. To find out more, call the free Arthritis Helpline on 0800 5200 520. Were open weekdays, from 9am to 8pm. You can also call us if youd like a chat with one of our helpline advisers, whether its about your condition or something else.