Peculiar electrical experience

[43tripandskip]

My Rheumy put me onto Leflunomide instead of Prednisolone a few years ago. During Lock-down I had a sudden recurrence of PMR symptoms but couldn't obtain help from my Rheumy. Then the symptoms started to disappear and a most peculiar thing happened. I was sitting at the computer when I experienced an electric experience - almost like I had an electric cord inside me. As I sat, I felt this surge of electricity move along the path of a cord from below my navel and slowly up my body until it reached somewhere between my top ribs. The sensation completely disappeared and I quietly sat, waiting for something to happen - such as the PMR pains to return. But nothing happened. I knew that the PMR had gone and I have never had any symptoms of it since.

I have never mentioned it to my Rheumy as he is not the most personable character and I didn't want to be characterised as a hysterical/weird patient. In fact, I've never mentioned it to anyone as I'm sure this is unusual and I wouldn't want anyone to think that you have to experience a shot of electricity to show that you don't have PMR anymore.

[SnazzyD]

No idea but I have seen this description crop up on long Covid groups which appears to have some sort of relationship with autoimmune conditions.

[43tripandskip in reply to SnazzyD]

That's really interesting Snazzy. Thanks for replying

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you still on leflunomide?

I'd welcome that sort of experience if it meant PMR was gone - but I have had short sharp electrical shocks over the years. But how strange ...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

So would I. 👵🏻

[43tripandskip in reply to Constance13]

I've never had anything like it before or since, so I can't predict how it came about. Yes, I agree, it would be a good way of ending PMR. It would be quite a fanfare of an event if that happened.

[43tripandskip in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I'm still on Leflunomide and likely to stop in March at my next Rheumy appointment. The feeling of electricity wasn't sharp but steady. It was most weird.

[SheffieldJane]

It sounds like a lovely miracle to me. I wish I could have one. ✨

[43tripandskip in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes, I agree. I really thought it would be a sign of PMR coming back with a vengeance. So I sat still and waited..and waited...and nothing happened. It was all very strange

[Viv54]

So strange mine was a different feeling , i was sitting reading and out of the blue had what can only be described as an electric shock through my elbow ! I jumped and shouted out !! Think my OH thought id lost the plot ! Then they kept coming in short sharp shocks , allover my body in my joints .Horrible feeling . Put up with it for 2 days then went to the DR.That was the start of My PMR journey. It was 3 years ago lm happy to say they did not come back. But i did take ages to believe they had gone , because it was a horrible sensation .

[43tripandskip in reply to Viv54]

That's truly extraordinary! Your experience sounds most unpleasant. Thank you for sharing your symptoms. Who knows, one day scientists might find a reason for these strange happenings.

[Skysey]

I have never heard of that experience heralding the end of PMR or GCA. I had a strange feeling whilst on higher doses of pred and methotrexate. It felt like I had been plugged into a socket at the back of my head. I had a fizzy, electrical current sensation from my head to my feet! I am no longer on Methotrexate but like you, I am on leflumonide. Thankfully I no longer have these sensations. So glad to hear you are free of PMR. Keep well and Happy New Year.

[43tripandskip in reply to Skysey]

Wow! What an extraordinary experience! Thanks for replying

[Alchemy8]

Fascinating. Well we are electro-magnetic beings! And too much electricity needs to be balanced by earthing and grounding. That is one of the reasons we are encouraged to walk barefoot and get into nature. In fact "earthing" is recommended for reducing auto-immune conditions. We spend far too much time around electricity - computers/cars etc. so maybe you had a big discharge! I have had an electrical charge that crops up on my right scapula from time to time. Of course the nervous system is very much involved here too and links into the energetic approach of the Chinese and Indian healing systems.

[43tripandskip in reply to Alchemy8]

You have some interesting ideas and there certainly seem to be links with electricity around us. Thank you for replying

[winfong]

I have had zaps before - a sudden, electric-like jolt, usually located around my spine, but causing my whole to jump a little. I always just associated it with meds or my many conditions. It was never reason enough to bring it up with any medical personnel though.

[43tripandskip in reply to winfong]

You seem to have a lot of experience with electric jolts. This - as far as I can remember - is a first for me.

[winfong in reply to 43tripandskip]

Yeah, to be honest, I'm kinda used to it by now. Googling it doesn't seem to bring up much (mostly about anxiety). Might want to mention it to your medical provider. If nothing else, they can probably set your mind at ease.

[43tripandskip in reply to winfong]

To be honest, I'm so glad to be rid of PMR that it doesn't bother me. It's just nice to be able to share experiences with one another. Thanks for replying,

[43tripandskip]

Thank you for sharing this experience. I hope everything starts to go well for you from now on.