Muscle pain ?

[nellysgran]

Hi everyone for the last two days I have had muscle pain in the back of my left leg, and found it very hard to sleep last night, it is like before you get cramp, has anyone else had this ?

[earthwitch]

If its just on one side, and in one area, then I think I'd be concerned about it not being anything to do with RA but the possibility of a blood clot. Thats something that really needs to be checked out by a doctor a.s.a.p - because of the danger of it moving to lungs or somewhere else.

[Josie2]

Since i upped my leflunomide dose to 20mg i was having same thing in upper and lower legs and some in my arms. Rheumy nurse said it was side effects and it has eased off over last week.

Have you changed or upped your meds?

[nellysgran in reply to Josie2]

Hi yes I upped my MXT to 15mg on Wednesday, so maybe thats why, I have no red or hot places on my leg, but not sure that it isnt to do with my spine again.

[helixhelix]

I think you've had bouts of sciatica and back pain? So may well just be another variation of the problems you have with your spine. I find that I sit too much, or sleep awkwardly I can put end up with odd pains here and there. A few weeks ago I had several days of a burning pain down by my ankle, which did eventually fade, but I never worked out why. So could be something of that sort, but do check that you haven't got a hot or red patch as earthwitch says. Polly

[marmaduke]

I get that most nights, and it does sometimes lead on to cramp, though not a very severe cramp. I got a lot of cramp in my toes before the RA showed itself in them - told the rheumy but she didn't pick up on it at all. They don't cramp so much now, so if that was connected, I'm half expecting the RA to appear in my ankles very soon. Just started on MTX and HCQ last week, so hopefully that will kick-in before it happens. I find stretching does help a bit, but thick fluffy bedsocks are best!!

Regards

Helen

[nellysgran]

Hi Thanks everyone, I have taken a couple of paracetamol and that seems to have worked last night, so I wil see how today goes....I do find that if i sit too long it gets worse.;-(

Regards Wendy

[Paula-C]

I've been told by my RA nurse that your muscles can get inflamed. Also the tendons/ligaments get a bit loose, like a piece of over stretched elastic and the muscles have to work harder than normal. I've also read that our muscles because of RA cannot store the same amount of energy so they get tired quicker than normal, which will result in them aching more.

Paula x

[Hidden]

Hi Nellysgran

It sounds like you've had some very sensible suggestions already. As Paula-C mentioned, if a joint is very inflammed and swollen, this can push on and affect the surrounding soft tissue. But we would always suggest speaking to a healthcare professional about any new symptoms.

Kind regards

Sarah Kate

NRAS