Pain in shins - is it related to RA or fibromalgia?

[muffin]

Have had RA for 8 years and fibromyalgia for 6 years. Take Enbrel and hydroxicloriquin. Fairly frequently get sharp pains in both shins, particularly when lying down. No one seems to be able to tell me why, but have noticed other questions here about shin pain. Anyone got any ideas if this is linked to RA or not?

[Hidden]

Hi muffin,

Sorry I've no idea, I get this pain also but too be honest I really do struggle to know what pain is from fibro and what is the ra.

I know my leg / shin pains were always worse when in bed but now I've had some medication changes it seems to have helped.

What medication do you take for your fibro?

Julie x

[muffin in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I have been on Enbrel for 7 years, tried methotraxate both orally and by injection but turned me into a monster for three days afterwards, I would be in such discomfort I was just horrible to everyone but I knew I was but couldn't stop myself. Anyway I also take hydroxicloroqin, the usual hopeless paracetamol and oromorph when I cannot stand the muscle aches. My RA is under control my inflamation level is 8 so think it is either fibromalgya and something unrelated.

Any views are very welcome.

Thanks. Muffin.

[muffin in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, forget to mention I also take tramadol.

Thanks.

Muffin

[Hidden in reply to muffin]

Hi muffin,

I know fibro can't be treated as such and there is no cure, but I take medication to help ease my symptoms and I know sylvi takes medication for hers also. I am wondering if something like that would help your pain. I take amtriptyine at night which eases all the muscle spasms And leg cramps, and I also take gabapentin which is a nerve drug I believe a little like a pain killer but it works only on the nervous system.

I have found better control off what I now believe to have bin my fibro pain with these. I also used to take a combination off tramadol. Paracetamol and oramorph but wasn't getting good enough pain control for long enough so my gp switched me to mst morphine which works for a whole twelve hours then you take the next dose I personally have felt in better control off my aches and pains you would need to have a word with your doctor sometimes it takes you suggesting something for them to consider it.

I hope you can get some ease in your pain soon.

Take care

Julie x

[sylvi]

morning Muffin, like you i've got both and i found it hard to disquindish (sorry about spelling) between which pain is which. I've had ra for nearly as long as you,but only just been diagnosed with fibro,so any info you can send me would be grateful. I find that when i'm in bed my ankle is painful and it feels very irritated. I would say its fibro as i didn't have the pain until just recently. Ask your ra nurse she should be able to advise you. Its thanks to my ra nurse that i got told i've got ra.

Take care

Sylvia. xx

[muffin in reply to sylvi]

Thanks for your ideas. My RA nurse is no so good but my Consultant is wonderful but don't see her until March. Have asked GP but no one seems to be able to give me a definite answer.

Take Care.

Muffin.

[sylvi in reply to muffin]

keep ringing the secetaries(sorry about spelling) then you might get a result you want. i think they got fed up with me. Someone finally listened to me.Its sad that your nurse is no good, ring your consultant and speak to them.keep pestering them thats the only way your going to get a result.

Best of luck.

Sylvia. xx

[Zena]

Hi Muffin

I've not been told categorically that I have RA yet but Palindromic Rheumatism - excrutiatingly painful and severe attacks which are now under control with Hydroxychloroquin - so far.

I too, especially during attacks had cramps and pain in my shins like Chinese torture. I asked my Rheumy team (the GP specifically on the team) and he said that there are no tendons in the shins so its not inflammation of tendons but is due to the arches of the feet?!

I am seeing the Consultant in November so will ask him what he thinks, but I'm glad it seems under control at the moment.

I can sympathise as it was simply awful. Perhaps ask your Rheumies about the arches of the feet to see what they think?

All the best

Z x

[Zena]

ps. Looked for the other questions on shin pain but it is not listed in the Tags?

[Hidden]

Hello,

I had Fybromyalgia 8 years before RA and can honestly say that the pain you describe for me anyhow came with RA and not FMS. I personally feel I can tell the difference between which is which now, the FMS I have under control mostly. I think the FMS pain comes on quickly, almost spreading through muscles sensation. Does that makes sense to anyone? or is that just me?

[CathySmith]

IDK? But went to bed today just because of this very thing.I just posted a question about this a few mins ago too..I get that pain in both legs and its completely down the front of my shins,,pretty painful:(...Good luck,

[tone13]

I have only just been diagnosed with R/A, June this year, but about 6 years ago, I had a really swollen knee , I put it down to a knock at work( I am a postman),and limped about for a couple of months, doctor sent me for x-rays ,said I had O/A of left knee, took about a year to feel better but I do remember getting terrible pains in Shin bones of both legs like someones twisting them from inside, Ironically the same pain is now felt in my forearms but I know now its R/A, Maybe I had it back then, I just wonder how I managed to do my rounds as being a postie is very hard work, and at present I am not working because of the R/A, hopefully I be back after christmas if the drugs work.

[Troygirl]

Finally found someone else who this is happening too! I hate it. Very scary & very painful. Hands and feet have been cramping & having spasms too! They are nothing compared to the shin thing.

Dr did all blood work for deficiency in calcium, potassium, magnesium, etc, etc. All came back NORMAL! What the heck is happening to me?

I have to sleep sitting up now or else forget about getting any sleep at all! Today, woke up and left pinky & ring finger limp and no strength.

Been on 6 methotrexate for 10 weeks, was on Humira for 9 & taken off (no results) started Xeljanz last Saturday & been on 20 mg of prednisone to fight a flare that will not quit. (reduced down to 15 last week)! Was on Enbrel for 2017 & 2018 & was working just fine, then stopped working Dec 2018! When this nightmare started!!!

Dr. thinks I am crazy, when I tell him about this shin pain since all deficiency tests are NORMAL!

[Saiz7]

me to got pain in both shins ☹️