Monday, October 05, 2009 Rodney asks

Q: Is muscle and tendon pain a result from Rheumatoid Arthritis?

I have severe joint pain which feels like a beast that roams my body giving me pain which comes and goes all the time. My muscles and the areas behind my knees {the backside of my legs} and elbows also hurt and ache most all of the time and I experence very tight muscles mostly in my lower body and chest area.

At first I thought this was restless leg syndrome so I have been increasing my calcium intake and take leg cramp pills which don't seem to help. About the only thing that does help me is pain reliever and my heating pad set on high and placed on my muscles.

are the cramps a result from RA?

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Answers (2)

Brad, Health Guide

10/ 6/09 1:40am

Hi Rodney,

I read your sharepost as well, so I know you are waiting on your first Rheumatologist appt. Make sure you tell him all of this! RA can only be dx'd by a thorough exam and bloodwork. I also have very tight muscles in my legs from my feet to my thighs. I have RA, PA and Sjogrens. You may have more than one type of auto immune arthritis. The more you can tell your Rhuemy the better. RA GENERALLY affects both hands, both feet, both knees etc, but it follows no real rules. For instance I know I have RA in my feet, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and hands. I also know PA affects my feet and knees due to tendon inflammation and Sjogrens kicks in here there and everywhere! Everyone is a bit different, and that makes the dx difficult. REST helps, just don't rest too much as then you can stiffen up! (aint life grand!) I am sure the Rhuemy can help you out more, just be very open with them! Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Brad

Rodney

10/ 6/09 8:24am

Thank you both for the replies,

Yes I have symptoms in both sides of my body as things are flaring up as its called.

It is more noticable in my left hand due to being left handed but both hands, wrists, knees and other body parts are being affected. I have been waiting for the pain and stiffness to go away like it has in the past, I could work through it and get on with work and life, but not so much this time around. This year and the last few months have been really difficult for me.

I am {have been} a real active person, I build and ride old {and newer} Harleys, drag race cars and street rods for a hobby for myself, freinds and customers. www.rodgregg.com I got my license to race under 10 seconds this year in the NHRA in a door car which I did for the first part of the season until my knees gave out and I had to have surgery. When driving the race car and riding my Harley is when I noticed that I wasn't myself as far as muscle strength and corrdination along with the pain.

I now do understand what is going on with my body and it explains a lot about my energy loss and fatigue and over all aches and pains.

After reviewing my family history with my mom who has arthritis in her hands real bad also in our family on both sides we are blessed with MS, RA bi polar and a few years ago my sis was sick for months with Guillain-Barré. I'll take all of this information with me to the Dr next month.

Thanks :)

West Australian

10/ 6/09 1:14am

Hi Rodney, I had very tight muscles and my tendons would hurt if I tried to extend them.. I thought I had a pinched nerve but it turned out I had RA. Have you been diagnosed? If you have then I would say that it definately is a symptom of RA - I had it anyway...medications are making more of a human out of me, get to a good specialist if you can! And I know that it doesnt always seem like it, but exercise really does help.

All the Best!

Q: Is muscle and tendon pain a result from Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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