BURNING PAIN IN THIGHS

[Robinre]

Has anyone had burning pain in both thighs (front part) that keeps you up at night? Lately I have noticed in my arms as well.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had thigh claudication pain in the front of my thighs - but that is specifically during exercise and improves when you stop. I can't see pain that keeps you awake at night being that,

I think it is something to take to the doctor - is there anything else besides the bicep pain? I had that too but only when using my arms, like holding a phone to my ear.

[Robinre in reply to PMRpro]

The pain is only at night and will wake me up. Not exasperated by exercise of any type, even walking during the day. Seems so strange that all limbs are affected. If only one leg I would think sciatica because it seems like that is what that would feel like (from friend's descriptions). Not a stabbing pain, just burning all over. I think I need to go back on Prednisone. Need to find another doctor.

[Noosat in reply to Robinre]

Exactly like mine. It seems I remember researching the symptoms of PMR and this thigh burning at night was high on the list - never feel it in day time, just heavy rusty robot legs

[scats]

I used to be woken up in the early hours with aching legs and I solved it by taking my pred in the evening rather than when I got up. Perhaps it would help if you split your dose, 2/3 in the morning, 1/3 at night. It's worth experimenting to see if this helps you.

[Hidden]

I had a period of my thighs burning and feeling hot to the touch when I flared and had to go up to 14-15mg again. Thigh claudication still happens on inclines and stairs. But the burning pain ot claudication never happened at night specifically. Neuropathy and might cover it up though! That goes from my back to the tips of my toes and is various sensations ranging from feeling like spiders are crawling up and down my legs to electric shocks which go out of my toes.

[Janstr]

My PMR started with pains in my thighs that I described as like lactic acid after a long hike, that never went away.

[Hidden in reply to Janstr]

Yes mine felt like lactic too...cycling for me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janstr]

Yup - perfect description.

[Noosat]

This burning pain in thighs is what kept me awake for three nights and drove me to the doctor, who diagnosed PMR, my SED rate was confirmation. I started on 20mg of prednisone which was heavenly relief. After almost 7 months I am at 6mg. I am hoping this will be enough to keep me reasonably active. Meaning I can look after myself in my own house, do errands, take the dog to park and do some volunteer work. It is not easy. I have "rusty robot legs" often, sometimes wake with a leg cramp and do become very fatigued in afternoon. I'm hoping adrenals are slowly waking up. I know I have to be very careful in tapering, perhaps I am going to fast. If so, my body will tell me and I will have to increase medication. Hope my experience is of help to you

[Robinre in reply to Noosat]

My doctor told me that my burning pain was not caused by PMR. However, every time I taper off the Prednisone the burning pain comes back. I guess I need to change doctors who will give me t he Prednisone again. Thanks.

[Christophene47 in reply to Robinre]

Since your doctor is not experiencing what you are experiencing, he /she doesn't know much. Yes, find another Dr., hopefully one who will let you think for yourself and prescribe you enough prednisone so you can adjust your dose as necessary.

[Trevgrrl]

My thighs have been hurting so much it hurts to put weight on them to walk with my walker. So I lean and my arms start hurting, too. Dr. says front thigh pain is arthritis in the hips, but the xray doesn't show bad arthritis. I take 25-30m of pred. I don't know what I have, really, and the drs seem stumped.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Trevgrrl]

Have they considered it might be trochanteric or iliopsoas bursitis? Both of which are very common in PMR and which don't respond terribly well to oral pred. Injections though do an excellent job - into the area over the hip bone that hurts most when pressed, not into the joint itself.

[Trevgrrl in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for that info. I'm emailing my dr about it.

[Robinre in reply to PMRpro]

No, I did have hip bursitis years ago and yes Prednisone did not help that. This is all limb pain. Not just one hip. Thanks for your ideas.

[Christophene47 in reply to Trevgrrl]

It doesn't seem quite right that you are taking 25-30mg prednisone without you or the doctor knowing what you have. If you are not getting relief on that high a dose, other diagnoses and diagnostics should be undertaken. Something doesn't quite fit in that picture.

[Christophene47]

I had excruciating bicep pain during the night before I was diagnosed. That is the main symptom that took me to a rheumatologist. I could not roll over and remembering wimpering in bed. I have had quadricep pain and weakness, with exertion, but not usually when they are stretched out.