Muscle Spasms?

[cheshcat]

Hello All,

I am new. I'm still waiting for my first rheumatologist appointment, it's not until August 23rd. I am on a cancellation list though.

I honestly wasn't expecting Rheumatoid, I thought for sure I had MS or Lupus but my hands flared badly and the doctor said they were classic Rheumatoid hands and my blood work points to Rheumatoid.

My question though (I have many! But this one for now 😉) is muscle spasms. It's been a few busy weeks and I'm getting really tired, which always means more symptoms. My muscle spasms are getting worse again. Mostly it's my calves, although my toes spasms/cramp and I have a weird spasm under my chin (absolutely no clue but think it's related to my face pain).

Does Rheumatoid cause muscle spasms? My mom has had RA for 30 years, she's had toe spasms/cramping (her toes are one big ball now on both feet) but she's never had muscle spasms like me. She's still walking! I do have some vascular problems and I don't know if that's related or not. I've seen a vascular surgeon because I've had 3 blood clots in my left leg (surface) in the last year.

I have so many questions for my rheumatologist!

Thank you all for sharing your own stories.

[sylvi]

Before you go to see your rheumy darling write a list of your questions and any problems your suffering eg; your muscle spasms. My legs spasm when i am in bed before i go to sleep. I have had RA for 14yrs now and i have got used to the spasms and a few other things. My fingers cramp sometimes as well. Hugs.xxxxx

[Downtime]

I've found that since I developed RA I get muscle spasms in my toes, calves and worst of all down the backs of my legs from thigh to calf. It's agony as it happens usually when I'm sitting down at a table for a meal. I move my leg and get the spasm and sit there pretending nothing is happening when I really want to get up screaming! Luckily it doesn't last long. The joys of this disease.

[LyndaKenny]

I was having them and I took magnesium before bed and I haven't had them since

[Fruitandnutcase]

Ive got sero negative inflammatory arthritis and last time I saw my endo he wrote to my GP saying he thought I was developing Sjorgens. I get awful leg cramps these days. They can vary from my groin / inner thigh to my ankle - both of those spots are new and feel really weird - and pretty much anywhere in between. I used to only get them in my calf and could stretch my leg while in bed and get rid of them but now I have no option but to stand up and wait until my foot can go flat on the floor.

I've tried magnesium in the bath, tried drinking tonic water and all the things people suggest, nothing really works p, I can't figure out why they happen and also what Ive changed when I don't have them for ages. It's one of life's mysteries for me, painful and annoying but still a mystery. Hope you can find a solution.

Great advice from Sylvia, always go armed with a list of questions ( assuming you have things you want to ask that is) and also a list of any symptoms you have. I bought a cheap old page-a-day diary and I jot down any symptoms, onlybullet points not a long description,if I. Don't do that when I get to my appointment and I'm asked how I feel I usually say 'Fine' then after I get out I realise all the things I forgot to say

[brightangel]

Hi,

I found magnesium has helped but the thing that makes it go quicker for me is just completely relaxing. Sounds tricky but I seem to have the knack now. It seems to dissipate once I stop cringing and panicking, it loses its power lol.

Best of luck with all your appointments and though you are familiar with the disease it doesn't make it any easier unfortunately. At least being here gives you access to the best advice from those who have experienced it all and know.

[Hidden]

I also was getting leg cramps starting taking magnesium and it certainly has helped a great deal

[helenlw7]

Good luck with your first appointment- I hope you get a cancellation.

I get muscular spasms too, mostly in my calves, but also in my feet, hands and thighs. I have been taking quinine for about 6 years which has reduced the frequency of the spasms but still get them several times a week. The thigh spasms are excruciating!

[Bandido]

All of the "muscle spasms" you mention are common to my experience. I have also had it in the neck (which is frightening) my jaw sometime partially dislocates (painful teeth missing each other) plus lots mild ones. There is no fun about RA but better to laugh it off than cry. After all it doesn't kill you.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Cheshcat & welcome. I'm sorry to hear you're bloods lean towards joining us here on the creaky joints boat. I hope you do get a cancellation too, I was fortunate recently with Neurology, having to cancel my original appointment I also asked to be put on the cancellation list & it came through just a week later, a week before my original appointment so it can work!

As Sylvi has said write a list of all the questions you want to ask your Rheumy, try to keep it to a bullet point list, my experience has been that my Rheumy asks me if she can go through it so the clearer & more succinct the questions the easier it is to rifle through them. Also is it possible for you to take someone who you're close to with you, not only for support but it also helps when discussing what was said, two heads & all that. Something my GP recommended was stopping the pain relief & NSAID she prescribed a few days before my diagnostic appointment, so if you're taking anything for pain or inflammation it will help if you do the same, it allows you to be examined & diagnosed as you are so to speak with your inflammation & pain at it's best (or worst!).

Muscle spasm or cramp could well be related to poor circulation & can be helped by gentle stretches, worth getting your magnesium & potassium levels checked too. You probably know this but keeping well hydrated is a must. Have you tried bathing in Epsom Salts? Worth trying, can't do any harm.

I do hope you get a cancellation, keep us updated. If you've any other questions we're a wealth of information between us! 😊

[Whatsnext]

The steroids cause me to cramp and involuntary twitching. I take magnesium citrate and potassium to help. It does not take care of it all, but helps some.

[Damaged]

The muscle spasm are likely from Fibromialgia. This is often associated to RD(RA). Wow I cannot understand why they would have you wait until August23rd. Here in Canada when you are diagnosed the referral to Rheumatologist is marked as urgent. In addition MSP(medical services plan). Provides GP with a protocol for meds. Mine ignored that, of course, but I did not fail to point that out to him. MSP has physicians guide to treatment on all major health issues. I strongly recommend Canadians look it up. It is a great guideline for your treatment. Best to know what minimal expectations are.

[Damaged]

I would avoid processed foods as much as possible. My sister says she avoids all sugar. That is not always realistic but try to avoid as much as you can. The blood work should clarify everything but not always as many are seronegative. I was diagnosed in July 2015. Since that date I have seen twelve specialists and have undergone so many tests it is crazy. It is an autoimmune disease. This means no two individuals are affected in quite the same way. The drugs are a challenge. It takes time to find a combination that works for you. Buckle up, it can be a rough ride but you are not alone. This site will soon become your lifeline. Or has become mine , at least lol many members with years of experience to provide the best counsel. I sincerely hope there is an opening soon. Best of luck.

[cheshcat]

Thank you all SO much. You have put my mind at ease. It's hard waiting so long for the rheumatologist. I think I am Seropositive? (if it's this test: Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies).

I've been to neurologists for the last year. They thought my weakness, numbness, and spasms were related to something neurological.

I didn't know until a few weeks ago they didn't run all the Rheumatoid tests, which I find really annoying as my mother has had Rheumatoid for 30 years and they knew that.

Thank you very much for the advice to stop taking my anti-inflammatory a few days before, which will be hard, as you all know, but I do need them to "see". I'm taking Mobic daily. I also do take a muscle relaxer (Flexeril) right now as it helps me sleep and helps my spasms, that can wake me up. I have a lot of bladder pain and it seems to help that too. I'm hoping the Rheumatologist will have a better medication to take, long term. I'm just trying to get by until I see them.

I do take magnesium. It's not always before bed. Some of my worst calf spasms (in both calves) is if I point my toe, so I can control it sometimes with pulling my toes up. I have compression sleeves for my calf that helps a lot and I also have a prescription compression from the vascular surgeon for the blood clots (thrombophlebitis). I'll have one of my veins (burned?) sometime in the next few months (great saphenous vein).

It is not fun when your body stops playing by the rules!!!

Thank you all again, for the warm welcome, and all the help ❤️😊