RA (any inflamatory arthritis) can cause numbness due to swelling cutting off circulation or swelling pressing on a nerve. It is unlikely however that it would cause general numbness like you talk about.

It sounds more like a pinched nerve in your neck. For years I had a pinched nerve in my neck that caused migrains that meant trips to the ER (predates the arthritis). Xrays, MRIs, etc. found nothing. It turned out, I could turn my head a certain way, pinch the nerve temporarily, and start the headaches and tingling - diagnosed by a good chiropractor. Once I started seeing a chiropractor on a semi regular basis, no more headaches.

With RA, it becomes even more important to make sure that all your bones/joints are aligned properly - chiropractics really do not aggrivate your arthritis and often help with the symptoms. Just find a good one and be very honest about your condition and symptoms.

I WOULD SEE A NERVER DOCTOR FOR THE NUMBNESS. I HAD SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT TURN OUT TO BE BELPAUSY NOT GOD BUT I RECOVER FROM IT THANK GOD. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME ANY NEW SYMPTON TO CALL HER SO IF YOU THINK IS SOMETHING WRONG THE GO TO THE DOC TOR THAT WILL HAVE A ANSWER FOR WHAT YOUR FEELING.

I also experience what feels like numbness in the toes of both feet.  However I DO have feeling in my toes and can move them just fine.  I was diagnosed with RM this past May 09.  I was in terrible pain in about every joint of my body except my elbows.  When chiropractic treatment was not working, my chiro doctor sent me to a rheumatologist and that's when I was diagnosed.  He put me on prednisone for a bit and then gave me a prescription for Methotrexate.  I decided to see a medical/alternative doctor I had been told about.  He said he could help me.  He changed my meciation to hydrocortisone.  It is a natural hormone based steroid that is MUCH easier on the body than the mainstream medications normally used.  I have no more pain.  My doctor suspected that I am gluten intollerant.  After testing that it proved to be true.  So I am now on a gluten free diet which is really very appealing to me.  You can go to www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info to learn more about that.  You can get the book "Breaking The Vicious Cycle" from your library and read how an unhealthy intestine can lead to RM.  I have had constipation problems for many years.  That's a BIG indiction of an unhealty intestine.  He also found that my thyroide was not working properly.  Hindsight tells me that it has not been working right for years!  That is now being treated.  I have much more energy.  I am pain free.  I am now taking half the medication I needed at the beginning. 

I do have very mild joint symptoms that feels like a burning sensation in some of my joints.  I do have some swelling in my right knee.  However, it's the numb feeling in my toes that has me curious.  (This is when I went to the internet, asked a question along this line and found all of you!) Also my toes can tend to cramp somewhat easily when I bend them the "wrong" way.  Yet, that kind of cramping happens less now.

I share all this with the hope that others of you will look for alternative ways to treat your RM.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MANAGE IT.  Don't take that for granted.  If I didn't take the hydrocortisone, my joints would be very stiff and achey...and perhaps the pain would eventually return.  I would then be totally incapacited.  Unable to funtion. 

I have also resumed regular exercise.  VERY IMPORTANT!

I mentioned diet.  The point of the diet is to bring healing to my "gut" or intestinal tract.  I understand that this is where autoimmune problems can start.  An unhealthy intestinal tract that is not properly digesting to supply the body with the nutrients food is supposed to give it is a serious problem and can lead to many other kinds of diseases.  I highly suggest that you look into if you have any food allergies as I found I do (allergic to gluten).  I am also daily ingesting a probiotic called Kefir.  You can find this on the internet.  It helps to supply good bacteria to the intestinal tract...with the goal of overwhelming the bad bacteria to get rid of mucus or mucus-like substance that inhibits proper digestion.  And the right kind of diet (food intake) helps the intestinal tract to then digest properly.

I will be conversing with my doctor again next week to ask his opinion if what I am doing is helping to curtail the advancement of RM.  Honestly, I really don't know.  However, I do know this:  I am doing really well on this regime.  I am fully functional.  I have my life back!  I must also mention that my doctor encouraged me to read "Safe Uses of Cortisol", the medication I'm on.  I encourage you to get the read too.  I got it thru my local library.  Though it's technical in nature, it is quite understandable to for the layman read.  Hydrocortisone is a safe drug when used properly at low physiological doses.  And that's what I'm on.  Praise the Lord for how He has led me thus far!!!!

I do hope this helps somebody!

andybean

2/ 1/10 9:06pm

Jan, can you say who your doctor is and where he practices? It's rare that a doctor today recommends Safe Uses of Cortisol (a great book). He sounds like a good doctor.

Jan

2/ 1/10 11:04pm

My medical/alternative doctor is Dr. Geoffrey Bouc.

Bouc Family Wellness Ctr

Beloit, WI

608-365-7200