Diagnosis looming, tight muscles

[Geolewpop]

Hi ya

GP thought symptoms were RA, heading now towards Fibro, I have such tightness in my fingers, hands and legs, find myself tensing up not realising then force my muscles to relax, do people resinate with this as Fibro?

[Dizzytwo]

Hello and welcome, I personally would associate it with anxiety and the need to relax more. Rather than a fibro symptom to be honest. Hope this helps.

Momo

[Deeb1764]

I presume GP running bloods for RA as CRP will show if RA however if it’s not showing RA it can be still zero negative RA which is when battles to be diagnosed begin. I have RA and then fibro added to the mix a year later as I knew pain different to the RA. Tensing could be the uncertainty.

If bloods done you will know soon 🥰

[CheetieCat]

Yes I definitely do. If I don't keep moving and stretching everything gets really tight and painful. Magnesium oil or spray is worthwhile trying, doesn't help everyone though.

[Tilly1957]

I find i hold myself tense in anticipation of pain. However, I also know that by taking a few slow deep breaths and allowing myself to relax, it helps release the tension. My muscles are tight with fibro anyway, apart from this added tension. It feels like I am seizing up and losing elasticity and stretch. Going rusty 🤪

Also, it is important to stay hydrated, and I find diet is important to. Many of the foods that trigger my heart issue also aggravate the fibro.

A new heart medication I started a few months ago, flecainide, has the added bonus of one of the side effects is reducing immune triggered inflammation and pain - I know of at least one other person who has been prescribed this specifically for fibro as nothing else worked. I still get pain, tiredness etc, but this medication is inadvertently giving me some relief.

My hands are stiff, painful and often don’t work but that is due to osteoarthritis.

[Tilly1957]

and yes, I find magnesium helps too