Not sure if i have CF, have a question about my hands

[AshleyPooh]

Hi all, i'm new here. I am not diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, but I am worried that i do have it. First let me give a run down on my health issues:

Hashimoto's hypothyroidism
Allergies and Chronic sinusitis (nonstop post nasal drip)
Digestive issues ( constipation, bloating, acid reflux)
Muscle and nerve aches and pains


Now, on to my real question. The reason why i ran across cystic fibrosis is this : For a while now, I've had a weird issue with my hands. When I'm doing dishes, or taking a shower, or just handling water for an extended period of time, my hands wrinkle. But not like normal pruning, they REALLY wrinkle, and bumps start forming on my palms. The bumps don't hurt, they aren't red or itchy, they are just raised bumps on my palms. What is uncomfortable though, is the extreme dryness that my hands feel, like moving wrong could rip the skin, you know? Being my techy nerd self, looked up the problem on google. What I came across is called ' Aquagenic Wrinkling of the Hands' . AKA Hand in Bucket ' sign. My hands look exactly like this. The thing is, the internet says that most people who have this have Cystic Fibrosis or are a carrier of it. Either one is terrifying, but i really need to know if anyone has this? It takes about 10-15 minutes of my hands drying out for the wrinkles and bumps to fade like they were never there. I don't know what it is! If it's this, i need to talk to a doctor about it, but with all my other health problems, i'm afraid if i tell the doctor i found a possible answer online, she's going to call me a hypochondriac! I would just order a test for it myself if i knew what to order and if there is even anything a lab can do without my doctor. I have no insurance so i have to be very frugal about what i do order. If anyone has any answers or advice i would appreciate it.

 

[rmotion]

Hi all, i'm new here. I am not diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, but I am worried that i do have it. First let me give a run down on my health issues:

Hashimoto's hypothyroidism
Allergies and Chronic sinusitis (nonstop post nasal drip)
Digestive issues ( constipation, bloating, acid reflux)
Muscle and nerve aches and pains


Now, on to my real question. The reason why i ran across cystic fibrosis is this : For a while now, I've had a weird issue with my hands. When I'm doing dishes, or taking a shower, or just handling water for an extended period of time, my hands wrinkle. But not like normal pruning, they REALLY wrinkle, and bumps start forming on my palms. The bumps don't hurt, they aren't red or itchy, they are just raised bumps on my palms. What is uncomfortable though, is the extreme dryness that my hands feel, like moving wrong could rip the skin, you know? Being my techy nerd self, looked up the problem on google. What I came across is called ' Aquagenic Wrinkling of the Hands' . AKA Hand in Bucket ' sign. My hands look exactly like this. The thing is, the internet says that most people who have this have Cystic Fibrosis or are a carrier of it. Either one is terrifying, but i really need to know if anyone has this? It takes about 10-15 minutes of my hands drying out for the wrinkles and bumps to fade like they were never there. I don't know what it is! If it's this, i need to talk to a doctor about it, but with all my other health problems, i'm afraid if i tell the doctor i found a possible answer online, she's going to call me a hypochondriac! I would just order a test for it myself if i knew what to order and if there is even anything a lab can do without my doctor. I have no insurance so i have to be very frugal about what i do order. If anyone has any answers or advice i would appreciate it.

For CF you need a sweat test or genetic test.
The hands issue is somewhat common for CF's but not all have that problem. You have alot going on healthwise and just from that basis who knows what could be causing it. There are over 1500 different cf mutations.
I would get tested nonetheless.

 

[JustaCFmom]

I understand your nervousness. I have 3 kids newly diagnosed with CF and when I started reading about it, I learned about CFTR Related Metabolic Syndrome. I asked the doctor and he ordered a sweat test for me. I got 74 (which is normally positive) but with the follow up, it was really false. I also have hypothyroidism which can impact the results.
I believe in putting your mind at ease. That is worth something. Obviously, I am a carrier, but that is only an issue for having kids. No reason to be nervous from that. Today, potential mates can check out if they are carriers and decide what they want to do from there. I don't know what all this would cost you. A sweat test is quite simple and painless. If you do have CF, medicine has come a long way and most people have found that they feel better with the treatment. My daughter was coughing for a year until her diagnosis and now she looks and feels great.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[AshleyPooh]

Thanks to both of you for replying. I hope to be starting a new doctor's office soon, and maybe then i will ask about the tests. With the sweat test i kinda worry, as i really just don't sweat lol. I don't know if that's a hypothyroidism thing or what, but yeah. The genetic test sounds interesting, i will possibly check that out. My family has a bad history of illness, so it's hard to pick out symptoms and stuff from that. My mom has COPD along with heart disease and other health issues. My dad has heart disease, my brother has heart disease from a heart defect they just caught two years ago when it put him in the hospital. So if i sound paranoid lol, i'm sorry. i'm just constantly trying to keep myself healthy and it never seems to work out. I've had chronic sinus infections for long long it's becoming normal. I know i need sinus surgery, at least for the deviated septum, but without insurance i just have to deal. I'm sorry JustaCFmom, that you found out about being a carrier that way, I hope your children are doing well.
If i find out any more about my hands, and if it's related to CF, i will let everyone know. Thanks again for replying

 

[4hats]

My sister who was diagnosed with CF had all the symptoms you described: the hands, digestive issues, allergies, post-nasal. She even had Hashimoto's and a number of other things. I had the hand thing when I was younger as well when I would stay in the water long. I would recommend a sweat test. It's the cheapest alternative for you. They can test you in the morning and give you results in the evening. Sorry you've got a lot going on. I hope you get some relief.

 

[AshleyPooh]

thank you 4hats. I do hate the feeling that i'm kinda bumbling around for answers on the internet, but without insurance that's kinda what i have to do. But then i search things and cystic fibrosis pops up which is rather scary. i will look up the sweat test and see what kind of prices they are asking for on that. With the hand thing, i remember pruning a lot faster in the water than other kids, my hands would get super wrinkly. But i just assumed that was a weird me thing. Now though, I KNOW it's not right, b/c the bumps that appear now along with excruciating dryness. But thanks i will look up the sweat test, i just hope i have enough sweat for them to work with :/

 

[Noobie1]

I'm new, learning, and awaiting further testing . . . but is it possible to have constipation and not ever have diarrhea?