RA or fibromyalgia

[Tealblue2]

I’ve good pain in the muscles in one leg. It’s weak and my hip is painful as is my knee and ankle. I’ve been on methotrexate for 4 months. Diagnosed 6 months ago. But I now think I have had RA for 4-5 years.

My leg was the same 3 years ago and I have used a stick to help. But the hospital has said that muscle pain isn’t linked to RA and that is means I have fibromyalgia as well. I have huge fatigue problems that have been particularly bad in the last 2 months. But what I’ve read says that fibromyalgia is all over your body and I just have an issue with one leg and pains in my feet. Has anyone else found this?

[J1707-]

I have both too it’s quite common. Fibro isn’t text book neither is RA . For me fibro tends to be major fatigue/ weakness all over / legs heavy can’t walk far and itchy skin with paresthesia big time often temperature control crazy and intense pain in one spot on my leg. weather really effects me mainly wet and windy weather.

I find if my RA is effecting a particular joint then I get tendon pain which has a knock on effect with the whole limb.

One sets the the other off . I get stiffness and swelling of the joint with sweats with my RA. It took me 2 years to work out which is which and some days I haven’t a clue.

Keep a diary and try to connect the dots. You know your body and if you think this wrong then don’t be bullied.

[wilbertjellyfish]

If your joints are sore and not working effectively this will put additional strain on the muscles of that limb and cause more pain. At times my muscles aren't great and nearly always with the joints in that leg.RA can cause fatigue also.

[cyberbarn]

Fibro has a specific criteria which includes widespread pain that is not mild, and also includes waking unrefreshed and cognitive symptoms such as depression as well as fatigue.

Too many clinicians use fibro to dismiss pain that they can't be bothered to find the cause for.

I had a clinical that tried to diagnose me with fibro. But x-rays showed spondylolisthesis which was likely causing the pain in my hip and upper leg. During a very bad flare I found I couldn't lift my leg, the brain was willing, the muscles weren't firing! They took it as my muscles were weak in that leg and all I needed to do was exercise more!

If you don't think you have fibro, don't accept the diagnosis. If it is in just one leg and hip like that then it is more likely to be something to do with your spine or hip.

[pammi2]

HI, did you see my reply seems to have been removed ?

[Tealblue2 in reply to pammi2]

no I’m afraid I didn’t see it

[pammi2]

that is very strange, i typed up a reply to you yesterday, i am going to check again

[pammi2]

Hello, can I recomend something for the pain which is the inflamation which is something that I have been trying for some days now, and seems to me a success at the moment. Boil 1 litre of water, add about 2 inch crushed ginger (inc skin, mash ginger with morter and pestel if you can). Boil in water for 5 mins. Drain out the ginger. Have one cut as hot ginger tea, let the rest cool and drink through out the day. Let me know if you do it and if it works...