Leg pain with RA
Hello! I was diagnosed with RA almost 1 year ago. Prior - I had pain involvement in my legs and chalked it up to charley horse at night. Fast forward - I’ve been on methotrexate for about 8 months. Also have L4L5 back issue going. Wondering if leg pain is common for RA. I know my joints ache and more so during a flare - but don’t notice any swelling or redness per se. My legs are my biggest issue - top of thighs especially - makes the notion of walking any distance very daunting. Sleep is crazy difficult as well. Any thought or input would be greatly appreciated! (Leg pain could be attributable to back I realize - but I’ve been dealing with leg pain long before any back issue appeared). Thank you
I think there are so many other potential factors it is difficult to know if RA or other issues might be casing the pain. For instance I have terrible pain in my left leg. That is a vascular issue not tied to RA. Still of course all joints are subject to RA damage.
I think your best approach is to talk to your rheumatologist. That person will help nail it down.
Hi
. I really want to echo about many potential causes for the leg pain you are experiencing. Muscle pains can be related to RA (see this article from our contributor Michael: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/aches-and-aches) and comorbid conditions, such as mixed connective tissue disease can cause muscle pain (see: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/mixed-connective-tissue-disease). Of course, as Rick noted, something else entirely could be at play. I don't have RA (my wife, Kelly Mack, does and is a contributor here), but I have had night time thigh pains similar to what you describe that may have been connected to back issues and an exercise regimen. I mention all these not to confuse the issue, but to illustrate that it is important, especially since this pain predates your diagnosis, to discuss this with your doctor and look at all possibilities. Hoping you get some answers and relief soon. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) I had Reynauds symptoms when I was 3. I have RA and my first symptoms were at 18-19 and my feet hurt as soon as they hit the floor and I could not even wear modest heels. and if I sit down for more than 15 min. and get back up they feel the same way. After 30 years of nursing in the ICU, I had to go out on disability because I could no longer be on my feet constantly for 12 hours, or even 8 hours. I found writing arduous as my hand cramped. Typing was just as bad because with Reynauds and Peripheral neuropathy, my hands go numb.
Muscle wise, I find Magnesium taken before bed helpful. I have restless leg syndrome, peripheral autoimmune neuropathy, and the occasional leg, hand, jaw cramps. A banana everyday helps to in case you have low potassium you may have lost when it is warm and you are sweating or exercising. I have some CBD cream, but I have not found it too helpful.
Keep going, keep sharing. I wish you relief.
I get cramps at night all the time with my RA, but when I had pain in my upper thighs it was actually due to the fact that my hips had worn out and it was jagged bone crunching on jagged bone. I eventually had to get both the hips replaced, but even just plain old RA alone can affect the hip joint and make it it inflamed and swollen and painful. You might want to check with your rheumatologist to see if that could be the case. Either way, though, remember, we are here to help however we can. Keep on keepin’ on, DPM
