RA and cramping

[mickeysmom34472]

I was diagnosed 4 months ago with RA and am taking 15mg of methotrexate once a week. It seems of late I have experienced cramping in my feet and thighs. Anyone know about this?

[PsA-artist]

I've had cramping in my feet and thighs (everywhere actually) for at least a couple of years before my diagnoses. I'm RA negative, which lead to the diagnoses of Psoriatic Arthritis, and the confirmation of the cramping and foot pain went with enthesis, which is said to only happen in PsA. I don't think it corresponds with taking methotrexate, but because I felt really thirsty and dehydrated all the time on methotrexate, I think it led to salt loss which cramps you up anyway (and headaches). So, it could just be inflammation in those sites pinching nerves or even bone damage. I think we go so long putting up with chronic pain before diagnoses, we kind of fob it off as something we may have done or try and block it out some other way. I never wanted to face the fact that there was something wrong with me!!! Oh, I just dug the garden, or did something a little more strenuous the other day, so that is what the pain must be. Once diagnosed, I was suddenly aware of all these things that had been hurting in my body and I could finally admit to myself, OK, there was something wrong after all. I don't know if I have an answer for you, just my experience. Now I'm on Enbrel, the cramping hasn't been so bad.

[Downtime in reply to PsA-artist]

I was diagnosed negative R A 18 months ago . I've been on methotrexate since. i suffered a lot of back, hip and knee pain together with foot and thigh cramps. Really painful ! Since, I have a possible diagnosis of Psa and I'm on only 10mg MXT and now take daily anti inflammatories . The cramps have stopped and I feel almost 'normal' . Drinking enough is important though as I find I sweat more since I've had this disease.

[Ruffles13]

I have been on 3 different meds for RA. I have had really bad body cramps which is frightening. When you tell the Rhumatoid staff they dismiss it. If you get any joy with your Rhumatoid people I would love to know

[bobbibass in reply to Ruffles13]

I am the same way. I was diagnosed with RA a couple of years ago and I am taking methotrexate. I told my RA doc about the cramps and all he said was that it was not from the RA. I started taking requip for RLS and since I have been taking that I have had no cramps. I have talked to a lot of people with RA and all of them experience the cramps and all their RA docs tell them it is not from the RA. Seems like the RA is causing something in all of us that causes the cramps.

[teresa2711]

I drink tonic water as the quinine in it helps with cramp

[andyswarbs]

Quinine is worth a shot. Plenty of water, daily, and also ensure you are getting plenty of magnesium. Here's one link on magnesium ancient-minerals.com/magnes... but there are plenty if you google.

Imo, essentially arthritis (& drugs) drains the body of nutrients so check what you are eating & drinking is a must.

[Hidden]

I get severe cramps. Usually at night in feet and legs, usually after about 3am. They are agonising. I had a period of a year or so without the cramps & yet nothing had changed in terms of medication or the severity of my PsA.

Dehydration is meant to make the cramps worse and it is important to drink a lot of water whilst on Mtx anyway. I tend to think I drink enough water .... but when the cramps are particularly bad I drink that bit more, more regularly and that does seem to help. Tea, coffee, squash etc. doesn't cut it, has to be plain old H2O.

[Macelott2]

Hi

I get cramps in my feet. I find having a good glass of water every night is a great help,it seems to work for me,try it. Best wishes.

[lawra]

Hi,

I was getting bad cramps in my feet. At the same time the sodium levels in my bloods were decreasing. I was eating a better diet (less processed foods, less salt) and not adding salt to my food and drinking lots of water (can wash salt out of your body). I think this actually lowered my sodium levels too much. I have been taking 'electrolyte' drinks (making my own, basically, fresh lemon, sea salt and sparkling water). The sodium in my bloods has raised and my cramps have stopped. Definitely consult your bloods and Dr before doing this, I think most people get too much salt rather than too little, but I just wanted to let you know my experience of cramps. x

[pdp1134]

Wow, I'm so glad to see these replies! I've had PSA and cramps for years and thought they were unrelated.