Burning sensation

[mohikan22]

Hmm hot and sore thighs just above my knees....I get warm aching feet..the sweats and hot skin..but not burning thighs..I'm on mtx 24mg daily.folic acid daily.Etodolac daily.15mg Prednisolone daily. (Stepping down 2.5mg weekly)

[nomoreheels]

If this is different to normal inflammation type heat I'm unsure what could be causing it. I'm guessing your "mtx 24mg daily" is a typo, both the daily part & 24mg, an unusual dose I'm thinking, & I do hope you're not taking it daily!? You don't say what dose your NSAID is but maybe there's room for an increase after guidance that is? Only suggestions but anything should be put to your Rheumy or nurse, particularly the burning sensation if it isn't eased by cooling the points. Warm aching feet & sweats I can identify with, in my case it's definitely disease activity which I've recently had an increase of MTX to tackle but not sore thighs. Does it feel like bone pain or muscular?

The only other thing that would make me think possibly disease activity is if you've reduced the pred too quickly or nearing the end of tapering. I've had problems before getting below 3mg & flared when towards then end of tapering & why I remain on my steroid because of it.

Don't know if any of this helps but always best to report anything unusual just in case it's med related.

[mohikan22]

Yes mtx is 25mg weekly. Etodolac/ETOPAN XL 600mg daily. It feels muscular I guess. Difficult to tell as the front of my ankles burns and aches too. The "heat" wears off when I'm uncovered...the second I cover up..boom.. hot hot hot again...my pred drop off is regular weekly Step down as advised which I turn will bring on flares as my main meds leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine have been stopped by my rhuemy.

[nomoreheels in reply to mohikan22]

Phew! I thought it must have been a typo. If you're taking 600mg prolonged release there'll be no room to increase it so possibly if inflammation is the cause but this needs to be a question you put to your team. Personally I know my on & off sweats are related to how active my disease is but it can also be related to other things so not able to help there, again it's a question needing answered by your team.

What is your Rheumys longer term plan do you know, as he's taken you off LEF & HCQ & also reducing your steroids?

[mohikan22]

I believe he wishes to change my meds over. The doses I'm on (quite high apparently) have been in situ for 4 years. They want a scan...and fo from there...meanwhile....I'm in limbo until mid may when I see him Due to my gp upping my prednisolone.

[nomoreheels in reply to mohikan22]

Certainly the MTX dose is high as a DMARD & I was on 400mg HCQ which I would think was your dose. I've not had LEF so wouldn't know there but I do hope that the scan reveals just what's going on & you can get back on specific treatment which works for you. May seems a long way away but it's only next month so I hope things hold fast until then but if not do contact your team if you don't do so before to let them know about your sensations you're experiencing.