Thursday, February 18, 2010 Chris asks

Q: All over muscle pain and stiffness from RA

I am newly diagnosed with RA (since Oct. 2009). While I do get joint pain, mainly in my fingers and knees, I primarily have all over muscle pain through my entire body--no relief from Methotextrate either. Everything I read mentions joint pain, and very little about muscle pain. I would like to talk to anyone else who suffers from this.

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Answers (2)

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

3/18/10 10:52am

Two things come to mind when I read this. One is that muscles and tendons can also be affected by RA, so it's possible that you need a higher dose of methotrexate or perhaps to supplement with one of the other DMARDs. Secondly, some of the sounded as if you could possibly have fibromyalgia, as well - I would recommend if you look at fibromyalgia area of our Chronic Pain site to see if anything rings a bell. In either case, it would review good idea to have a conversation with your rheumatologist about your symptoms and the impact it has on your life.

portlandRA

2/19/10 12:51am

I know how you feel because I have been in that condition. When my illness started (about ten years ago) every muscle in my body hurt. My shoulders hurt so much, that I could not get confortable in bed. Even my jaw hurt when I chewed. However, my story may offer you some hope. At the beginning of my illness, I was given lots of prednisone. It helped, but it had lots of side effects. After about a year, the pain settled in my joints and the doctor said I had RA. Various medicines helped some, but over the years I have had flares, some so severe, that I was confined to bed – sometimes the flares where so bad that I could not dress myself. My story does have a good ending. About one year ago, after a bad flare, I started on one of the new biologic medicines, Orencia. It has completely eliminated my symptoms. I have no idea as to whether or not it will continue to give me relief. But for now life is worth living again. Hopefully one of the many new medicines that are available will help you.

Chris

2/20/10 2:19pm

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I mainly have the muscle pain, and it all over my entire body. My fingers will get stiff sometimes, but it is most muscle pain. My dr. says the RA can cause muscle pain, but they never really seem too sure. The Methotextrate has not helped at all ever 4 mos. The dr. will periodically give me the Prednisone which does help, but can't be given long term. Is that how RA starts, with the pain being in the muscles, and then moving into the joints? How do you get Orencia, through IV? Any side affects? I am afraid of the biologics because of the increased risk of infections. Dr. says they may want to start me on the biologics if other prescriptions don't work. Did you muscle pain and stiffness last all day? Mine does, and seems to be worse after laying down or stilling for long periods of time. Thanks again for answering my question, it helps to talk to others. Christine

portlandRA

2/20/10 10:37pm

Like you, my pain and stiffness was worse after being in bed or setting still for some time.

Frankly, life was not worth living when I felt that way.

One gets Orencia through an IV. I go in every four weeks for an infusion.

I have been on it for about one year and symptoms have completly gone.

Even if this shortens my life, for me, it is worth it.

I just could not live with the constant pain.

Maybe others are stonger than me, but I could just not deal with it.

I thank God for Orencia and I hope it keeps working.

Talk with you doctor -- maybe he can allay your fear of taking one of the biologics.

Chris

2/21/10 12:30am

Thank you so much for your response. Right now I am on the Methotextrate, I have just increased to 8 tablets per week. Waiting to see if that works, but I somehow don't think it will, I've already been on it for 4 months. I am just doing my own research now on different medications, and will probably be going for a second opinion before I even consider taking any biologics. I wish you well with this terrible disease, and am glad that Orenica is working for you. Sincerely, Christine

Q: All over muscle pain and stiffness from RA

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