Muscle pain

[Gottarelax]

Hello, I'm now on a 2 week countdown to my consultation with a rheumatologist to confirm (or otherwise) that I have RA. I'm anti-CCP low pos (28) and Rh neg. I just have a query about RA pain. I get a mix of stiffness, pain in joints (which can be stabbing if I move wrongly) but I also get muscle pain in arms and legs. Is muscle pain normal for RA? - I also get shooting nerve pains like sciatica.

[bpeal1]

No muscle pain isn’t usual for RA. However, it does occasionally affect tendons. Also it is possible that the muscle pain is as a consequence of moving unnaturally due to the joint pain.

Sciatica is unusual but can happen if inflammation in a joint is pressing on the nerve.

Good luck with your appointment. Hopefully the rheumatologist can piece it all together, but don’t be surprised if you don’t get a definitive answer straight away.

[Gottarelax in reply to bpeal1]

Thank you for your reply. That’s helpful to know. To be honest my symptoms don’t seem typical of RA. I will have to be patient I guess and see what the rheumatologist thinks. I do have concern that if it is more complex it will be difficult to hit on the appropriate treatment.

[Jackie1947]

Fibromyalgia maybe? Seems to be a secondary condition with RA

[Gottarelax in reply to Jackie1947]

That’s my worry Jackie!

[Jackie1947 in reply to Gottarelax]

It's manageable and it only affects me if I have a RA flare up but not severely. Were all different so try not to worry.

[Leics]

It’s very possible that they will add fibromyalgia to the mix. I would perhaps start the conversation off with the pain and stiffness in the joints and then add the other stuff into the consultation. If you can maybe just stick to all the things that you think are pertinent to getting a diagnosis. They will probably do a full medical history anyway so stick with the facts if you can. I have to send you good luck wishes because I know that walking out with a diagnosis isn’t going to happen. There will probably be lots of further tests an examination and loads of questions. Take someone with you if it’s allowed as two people taking in the information is very helpful. Also ask questions yourself if you can and perhaps make a list so you don’t forget and then kick yourself afterwards. I’m pretty certain there will be very good information on NRAS website about preparing for a consultation. Let us know how you get on.

[Gottarelax in reply to Leics]

Thank you for your advice Leics. I will hop over to the NRAS website as I want to make the most of my consultation. Will definitely let you know how it goes.

[Garnacha]

When I went private to see a rheumatologist in January 2020 as I had severe pain in my left elbow, couldn't straighten it fully & so painful to pick things up, my right arm so painful, hurt to drive, open doors etc & felt like it was the muscle as if I'd been doing weight training & my left hamstring, couldn't sit on that part of my derrier 🤣 he said it sounded like inflammatory tendinitis, he said the pain I felt in my right arm muscle was coming from my shoulder, had steroid injections in all areas over 2 months which eased all but my derrier & prescribed etoricoxib.

Fast forward to November after already having hydroxychloroquine added & saw the consultant again, he diagnosed psoriatic arthritis & started me on methotrexate.

Psoriatic arthritis affects mainly the tendons that connect the muscles to the bones, hope you don't have RA or PSA but good luck with your appointment

[Gottarelax in reply to Garnacha]

Thanks Garnacha, the sort of pain you describe is similar to mine. I would have said that in the early days it felt that I'd done a full body workout with weights that were way too heavy. Sitting down is painful. I find that difficult as I can't be long on my feet either so I work from my bed. Just hoping that I get the right diagnosis even if it takes a few consultations as I don't seem to fit any one condition perfectly .