InstantForum.NET v4.1.4Arthritis Foundation Forumhttp://community.arthritis.org/forums/sitehelp@arthritis.orgWed, 10 Mar 2010 23:12:05 GMT20http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxwhy do I always think I am the only one. I too have muscle pain. even though all of my blood work is negative ( you would think that would make me happy but it drives me insane) ive been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. For the last month in a half, I feel as though i have the flu and i feel very weak, my muscles..i could barely get up and down the stairs at my daughters graduation (i was too proud to take the elevator, yeah i havent quite gotten over that either)...Sat, 23 May 2009 08:33:12 GMTKelly3http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxI am into my third year of RA, and thought I'd post after I read this. I too suffer from muscle ache. This has always been my biggest problem, because it wears me down and makes me feel like I have the flu. It was so bad today, I pushed myself through from the second I got up. It does not happen every day, but it seems to affect my arm muscles the most. I can see by the other posts...we are not alone.Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:06:10 GMTjoan in AZhttp://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxHi,<br><br>Many people do not realize just how much of your body is affected by RA. Muscle fatigue is a natural side effect of arthritis due to the extra strain put on the muscles. Given the fact that your joint is not working the way it is supposed too, it is up to your poor overworked muscles to pick up the slack. They are going to be sore and you may experience muscle spasms when you try to rest from the extra work the muscles had to perform. There are medications that your doc can prescribe, but most of them tend to make you drousy. Ask your doctor if there are any type of low impact strength exercises you can do to help your muscles gain the power to perform the extra duty. Diet is a big factor as well, try to stay away from red meat and coffee as they tend to greatly aggravate RA in some people. Talk to a dietician and your doctor for more possibilities. A nice hot shower at the begining and end of the day usually supplies a couple of hours of muscle relief but if you can soak in a tub the effect may last longer. Good luckFri, 26 Aug 2005 15:52:00 GMTTina24http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxHi I have had RA for 30 years. Sometimes my leg muscles hurt a lot. I especially notice it when I go to bed. The doc gave me neurotin, it helped but I quit taking cause it made me so groggy the next day. The percocet that I take for my spine helps my leg pain as well.Thu, 11 Aug 2005 19:54:00 GMTLila140http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxHi Maureen190. I have Fibro and also have leg pain-everything from muscle spasms to burning sensations. I had some releif from a drug called Neurontin which is an anti-seizure med sometimes given for pain. I had to stop taking it because of elevations in blood pressure. I'm now on a combination of Amitriptline to help me sleep and Flexeril, which is a strong narcotic but does'nt have the effects on the stomach of many of the anti-flammatories. Unfortunately with the Fibro, you kind of have to try things for a while to get stable. I find that the heat also helps a lot and some of the gentle yoga stretches can be tolerated without me feeling like I've been beaten up the next day. Hope you're feeling better.Tue, 26 Jul 2005 17:37:00 GMTBeverly182http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxHi, Mary16 and everyone else out there. Has your doctor done any blood test to rule out RA? Whereas there are no blood tests for Fibro there are tests that could possibly rule out the RA. If you have not seen a rheumatologist you might want to consider it. They will do a physical exam to look for tender points associated with the Fibromyalgia and lad tests for other forms of arthritis. Hope you're all feeling better today.Tue, 26 Jul 2005 17:26:00 GMTBeverly182http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxI was diagnosed with Fibro and RA about 4 years ago when I had just turned 40! Can't wait for 50! Anyway, the pain is alot different now. I too have terrible pains in my legs. Sometimes I just wake up with it, or my legs could be feeling fine and then it hits me like a bolt of lightning. In the beginning I used to panic and get upset. I have learned that if I just focus and relax I can get through it. I am unable to take the medications because my stomach is sensitive to pretty much EVERYTHING. I do find that stretching and warm showers do relieve the discomfort somewhat. I then go lay down and hope the pain takes it course quickly, and I'll get some relief soon. Keep a good record of all the aches and pains, and keep your doctor informed. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon.Sun, 19 Jun 2005 01:53:00 GMTMaureen190http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxI also have horrid muscle pain. I also ask the doctor about fibro and she said it would be hard to tell if it is fibro or the RA. My muscles hurt all over my body and some time very bad in the legs. I hope you get some relief. I am starting some new drugs so I am hoping they help. Good luck to you and prayers to all of you out there suffering.Fri, 17 Jun 2005 00:31:00 GMTMary16http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxThanks for the reply Susan. I just get scared that this isn't RA and god i don't even want to think of the other possibilities..having this be so new? It's hard enough.. I will continue to tell my rheumtologist when i see her next month.. cause i've been telling her.. that my legs just don't feel right.. Errrrrr.Thu, 09 Jun 2005 16:43:00 GMTprettyred79http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxYou are not alone. It is the muscles around my hips and elbows that hurt. I ask the rheumy about it, whether it was fibro and he said let's not go there right now. All I can do is take pain meds and something to make me sleep.Thu, 09 Jun 2005 16:03:00 GMTSusanCoxhttp://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4091805-1814-1.aspxI was diagnosed with RA last year. Being treated with Enbrel 50mgs weekly and Methotrexate. My frustration is muscle fatigue.. especially around my joints.. why does this happen? Sometimes my legs just ache/throb. Anyone? Please?Thu, 09 Jun 2005 11:20:13 GMTprettyred79