I have arthritis and scleroderma. My calves are really painful when I walk and when I wake up in the morning my feet are also bright red

[joanne2]

I have scleroderma and arthritis. My lower legs are very painful when walking for 10 minutes. Also painful when I wake up . I get tingling feelings throughout my lower body and my feet are bright red when I first get out of bed. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[KittyJ]

Have you seen/spoken to your doctor about this? If not I’d consult them as we can’t tell you what it might be, take photos in the morning so you can show them what’s happening ( if you haven’t already 😊) I hope you get some relief soon.

[joanne2 in reply to KittyJ]

Thank you

[MadBunny]

Interesting to read your post- for the last few months I've been getting pain in my lower legs, I wake up with it in the night, and like you, I can only walk for about 10 mins before it starts. It sometimes gets to the point where I can barely walk. I haven't had the redness though. Thankfully I have a f2f with a GP on Monday for my RA review so I will mention it.

[OldTed60]

hi there. Have you posted this on SRUK HealthUnlocked community as I’m sure people there would tell you, as I can, that this is same or similar to what many experience with systemic sclerosis?

Red burning feet sounds like a rare neuro vascular condition I have as well - Erythromelalgia - which can be secondary to rheumatic autoimmune diseases.

I have scleroderma and sjogrens with severe bulging disc arthritis in my spine. I have very tight hard calves and burning red soles and same with hands and arms - especially when I wake in the early hours or when it’s hot/ humid. I also have Raynaud’s so get both extremes. Speak to your rheumatologist or else rheumatology nurse if you have one - physiotherapy and pain medications might help. A few days ago the podiatrist told me I need to do stretches before and after walking and if seated for long periods to try to soften/ rekax the muscles in my calves. She said get latex band or scarf put round my foot and pull toe part towards me trying to relax the calf muscles so that radiating pain eases up in my knees. I think this might be the polymyositis side of scleroderma which some of us are prone to.

[OldTed60]

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I have rheumatoid, limited scleroderma and hashimoto's. Have you tried an anti-inflammation diet? You can use that alongside any meds that you take. I haven't taken any meds yet because diet and exercise is working for me. A plant centered diet -no sugar, no dairy, no gluten helps to address your overall health and of course that helps your immune system function better