New to THIS GROUP

[Alloagirl]

Hi , I have been diagnosed with arthritis. I have been having pains in both legs similar to sciactica . I saw a physio and after a few exercises she said it was nothing to do with nerve pain or spine. Apparently the muscles around the bones are weak and I have exercises to do every day for 6 weeks . If this does not work to return for further investigations. My question is , is it normal to get pain in both legs and not something specific like knees or hips. In fact pain that impedes walking. Also until it started about 5/6 weeks ago I had no pain in any joint or part of my legs. It came on suddenly. Would like to know if anyone had arthritis start like this. Thanks for any comments.

[piglette]

It really depends what type of arthritis with which you have been diagnosed. There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. If you have rheumatoid arthritis that is an autoimmune disease, while osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, in which the tissues in the joint break down over time. Osteo is probably the most common of the types of arthritis.

[Alloagirl in reply to piglette]

Thankyou for your reply. She did not specify a type. The pain in my legs came on suddenly and do not seem to be in joints.

[DorsetLady]

As piglette says there are many kinds of arthritis - so maybe have a look at this and see what fits your symptoms…although have to say it doesn’t sound typically osteoarthritis-

versusarthritis.org/about-a...

[Alloagirl in reply to DorsetLady]

Thankyou. Must admit the pains seem more in the muscles like thighs and back/side of legs. Will look at the link.

[Runrig01]

You need further investigations to see which arthritis you do have, if it is arthritis. The GP should order blood tests to see if there is anything inflammatory going on. It sounds similar to polymyositis, which affects the muscles rather than the joints. You need answers, as it may be you require meds that only a specialist can prescribe.

[sueshepy]

Hi Alloagirl, I have OA in both hips and knees. I had the same feelings as you describe and after X-ray I have bursitis too.

The bursa is a fluid sac and are between every joint and can become inflamed and painful just like you have described the pain in your legs. I have had cortisone jabs to bring the inflammation down. The pain still rears up so I use ice packs to relieve the pain. Speak to your gp to check this out. Hope this is of help.

[katieoxo60]

Hello Alloagirl, welcome to the world of Arthritis. As most have said there are many types all with different symptoms and different treatments. As well as looking on Versus Arthritis as suggested look on the website of Arthritis Action. Also there are many illnesses that can cause sudden muscle pain. Its usual to take a laid back approach as it may be a short term illness causing leg pain not necessarily true arthritis. It is also possible to have more than one arthritis. In early days you may just be experiencing a flare that will pass in a few weeks. Relax and try to control any pain, but if it gets worse seek help as it may not be arthritis. I have two types of Arthritis and have had it since I was in my thirties, some people are born with it or inherit it. As also mentioned Bursars can get inflamed and as they support the joints it can be quite painful. Tendonitis is also very painful as is nerve pain in the legs. It does need investigating to establish some sort of diagnosis to work with. Good luck and hopefully it is something more treatable than arthritis. Take care and best wishes

[Batty1]

What type of Arthritis do you have? Do you have psoriasis or family history of them? I have psoriatic arthritis (Enteritis) which attacks my tendons which affects my muscles and can be extremely painful to move around.

[Alloagirl]

Thankyou everyone for your comments. I have not been diagnosed with a type of arthritis. My GP made an appt with the surgery physio. She did some exercises with me and said I have weak muscles and it was arthritis not sciatica or spinal problems. So I have a series of exercises to do over 6 weeks. If no improvement to come back for further tests. Seeing I had to wait 4 weeks for this appt it will be more like 10 weeks. Personally I think an appt should have been made to check on my progress. After a week of exercises there seems some improvement but still painful to walk. So I take a couple of paracetamol if I am going out. There is no history of arthritis in my family.

[DorsetLady in reply to Alloagirl]

Not sure the physio can just say ‘it’s arthritis’ - maybe ‘I think it might be arthritis , but suggest the doctor does more tests…but in the meantime we’ll try these exercises’.

It’s fair enough to try physio as first port of call, but but more input from GP is probably required. Just see how it goes…but don’t be fobbed off.

[readandcraft]

My old gp once told me that if he put 100 people with arthritis in a room, their experience/symptoms would all be different! I suggest uou see your gp and ask for blood test to make sure there's no inflammation, to rule out rheumatoid arthritis. You could even push for referral to consultant.