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What Causes Burning Sensation And Pain In Hands During Night?
Posted on
Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Answered on
Thu, 19 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My 93 year old mother is suffering from burning pain in her hands primarily during the night. She does have arthritis in her fingers, but the burning pain has become pretty intense. She saw an orthopaedist today for shoulder pain that is also radiating down her arm, again primarily at night. He gave her a cortisone shot and thinks her problem is shoulder impingement. We asked about the burning hands and he thought it was more likely a medical problem rather than orthopaedic, perhaps a drug side effect. Any thoughts where to start?
She is taking the following meds: Pradaxa, Ramipril, Levothyroxin, Diltiazem, Simvistatin, Hydrocholorothorazide, Prilosec and Doxycycline.
She is taking the following meds: Pradaxa, Ramipril, Levothyroxin, Diltiazem, Simvistatin, Hydrocholorothorazide, Prilosec and Doxycycline.
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Burning discomfort is most often related to neuralgia or nerve related pain.
This is due peripheral neuropathy which is damage to the nerves due to abnormal structure or function of these nerves. It can cause various symptoms including neuralgia (nerve pain).
Nerve related complications of medications mentioned: (1)pradax- risk of bleeding, not known to cause burning pain
(2)ramipril- in 0.1% to 1% of persons can cause abnormal sensation, rare side effect that is not usually seen
(3)simvastatin- very rarely can also cause abnormal sensations but the exact frequency of this effect is not known
(4)hydrochlorothiazide- rare side effect , may be related to electrolyte loss
(5)levothyroxine- not a known side effect
(6)diltiazem-abnormal sensations can occur in less than 2% of persons using this medication
(7)prilosec- again, this medication is a possible cause of neuropathy
(8)doxycycline can cause abnormal sensations in areas of the skin exposed to sunlight
In addition to possibly related to medication the other causes of neuralgia are
: (1)vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(2)diabetes
(3)trauma to the nerves
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)exposure to toxins
(6)neurological diseases such as stroke, ms
(7)idiopathic -cause not known
It would be best to see a neurologist. He or she would be able to conduct tests of the nerves to determine/confirm a problem with the nerves.
There are tests (not invasive) that can be done to check the conduction of the impulses in the nerves to see if they are working as they should.
Would also be able to determine the cause and start treatment which may or may not include change in some of the medications
Summary: (1)possible related to some of the meds mentioned
(2)need to assess for other causes
(3)best to see a neurologist
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Burning discomfort is most often related to neuralgia or nerve related pain.
This is due peripheral neuropathy which is damage to the nerves due to abnormal structure or function of these nerves. It can cause various symptoms including neuralgia (nerve pain).
Nerve related complications of medications mentioned: (1)pradax- risk of bleeding, not known to cause burning pain
(2)ramipril- in 0.1% to 1% of persons can cause abnormal sensation, rare side effect that is not usually seen
(3)simvastatin- very rarely can also cause abnormal sensations but the exact frequency of this effect is not known
(4)hydrochlorothiazide- rare side effect , may be related to electrolyte loss
(5)levothyroxine- not a known side effect
(6)diltiazem-abnormal sensations can occur in less than 2% of persons using this medication
(7)prilosec- again, this medication is a possible cause of neuropathy
(8)doxycycline can cause abnormal sensations in areas of the skin exposed to sunlight
In addition to possibly related to medication the other causes of neuralgia are
: (1)vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(2)diabetes
(3)trauma to the nerves
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)exposure to toxins
(6)neurological diseases such as stroke, ms
(7)idiopathic -cause not known
It would be best to see a neurologist. He or she would be able to conduct tests of the nerves to determine/confirm a problem with the nerves.
There are tests (not invasive) that can be done to check the conduction of the impulses in the nerves to see if they are working as they should.
Would also be able to determine the cause and start treatment which may or may not include change in some of the medications
Summary: (1)possible related to some of the meds mentioned
(2)need to assess for other causes
(3)best to see a neurologist
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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