Ankylosis spondylitis and muscle spasms

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Does anyone suffering with AS also suffer with muscle spasms, I have not yet had a diagnosis but waiting for tests and MRI results but iv suffered with muscle spasms in my shoulders and neck for years now but this past year there almost constant, at one time id get a spasm in my shoulder blade or neck that would last 3-4 days then settle mainly due to diazapam then not re occur for a few weeks but now there lasting weeks with maybe a day where it settles then starts again, also the diazapam is not working now and I dont like to take it more than 4 days because of how addictive it is, thanks in advance 😊

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8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello Caroline 

    One of my conditions with MY PsA  is Ankylosis Spondylitis. My Psoriatic Arthritis causes me problems in tendon shieves  and nerve damage. Like most of us I also suffer small joint Arthritis and shoulder, knees, my hips are a problem and I suffer Sciatica in both legs. I would not be to bad, although the Sciatic can flare and last for upwards for 6 months or longer. I was told when I became 60 my condition would go into remission

    Sorry you are having problems, my medications for Psoriatic Arthritis are Celebrex, NSIDs and Tramadol , with Citalpram and Amytryptalene, both are ADs. The latter controls Nerve Pain.

    Also I use a TENS Machine as a nerve block.

    I have had my PsA since early 1983, so now I am sixty six years old and still around, still in pain, constant pain is not as bad, although still very painful.

    There are alternative medications you could try, it took them two years to find a medication that suits.

    What gets me is I am unable to take DMARD medications, that problem causes me the problem where a Specialist cannot give me Biologics

    BOB

    • Posted

      Ah that's a shame you can't get the biologics bob,

      I'm suffering with neck and shoulder muscle spasms which is causing so much grief at the mo, as if the spinal pain and joint pain isn't enough my body wants to inflict a little more, never mind I suppose it's just part of this awful condition,

      I'm on Celebrex which is doing well with stiffness but hopefully once diagnosed I can get something to help with the inflammation, thanks bob 😊

    • Posted

      Caroline

      Always here for a chat, have you tried PAPAA, it is a charity  that concentrates on Psoriatic Arthritis.

      Have a look, it may help you

      BOB

  • Posted

    I have AS and was diagnosed 2 years ago. I have severe muscle spasms and twitches in my lower back, neck, and right shoulder. They are painful and last days.
  • Posted

    Hi Caroline

    I've been having AS symptoms for years. And really started very strong symptoms in 2013 which was mainly nerve pain and muscle spasms and some inflammation because of that, diagnosed with AS in 2014.

    I started with mainly having issues in my sacrum, lower back and legs. And in the last 6 months the spasms and inflammation in my neck and shoulders.

    This week I've been in a lower back/ sacral spasm again, so much that it's tightening my muscles and I can barely get them to stop spasming.

    I am on Naltrexone, an alternative medication that treats AS, I still have some Humira that's in my fridge, took one injection last Wednesday to stop the inflammation. I also use a TENS unit to help calm the nerves and release the muscle spasms.

    I use Bacoflen muscle relaxant which really helps. It's been the best one. I also have a muscle massager and that helps relieve the pain. Motion is lotion, the right kind of motion.

  • Posted

    Hi there, I just got muscle spasms recently in my lower back. But they aren't relayed to the joint pains of AS. I went to an osteopath who treated me with dry needles today, it has loosened up. I believe the osteopath is on the right track for me. But if your pain is related to inflammation, try seeing a naturopath as that has really helped me with my inflammation. I am taking fish oils, turmeric pills, probiotics and my pain has been much better managed. Suggest watching your diet and eating more anti inflammatory foods. Hope this helps, would be keen to hear your experience !

    • Posted

      Hi lerunner and thanks for the info something I will definitely look into. Since I posted Iv had a really bad year spending most of it laid up in bed, all my test came back fine for AS but I discovered I have a failed fusion (15years of pain and only diagnosed now) they also think I might have sacrialic joint dysfunction and this could be brought on by the fusion or it could be a result of having the wrong diagnosis in the first place as I suffered SPD during pregnancy 23 yrs ago. So this morning I have just been fitted with a back brace for 3 weeks and hopefully this will determine which joint needs to be fused. 

      My neck also went into spasm before I even got out of bed so good start to the day especially as Iv had an hour round drive to get sorted with the brace, I'm definitely finding suppport with it so fingers crossed.

      I'm suffering round the clock with shoulder spasms and it is mentally challenging along with off the scale sciatica down both legs, struggle to stand, sit or walk so not much fun right no.

      Back to see surgeon on 25th with the possibility of having an SI joint fusion or revision fusion surgery on l4-5, not sure what scares me the most but life is not good right now and can only hope there are some better times ahead.

      I have wandered if I still do have AS but not shown up yet as I have chronic SIJD, shoulder, thoracic, neck pain and stiffness so I am going to ask for a scan just to rule it out, sorry for blabbering on just hope anyone with lower back pain reads this and looks into SIJD as it can be so overlooked but can be up to 30% of people's lower back problems and sometimes surgery is given on the lumbar spine and why so many people suffer afterwards because the wrong area was missed, good luck to everyone 😊

  • Posted

    Hi Caroline. I have muscle spasms, severe at times. i was misdiagnosed for over 20 years, and at times had muscle spasms in my back and neck that were so bad that I couldn't even walk sometimes. As my AS has progressed, I get them all over in varying degrees, especially during a flare. My most recent development is Charlie Horses in both legs at the same time. I'm no wimp to pain, but this is especially brutal. I have baclofen as a muscle relaxer. I find that it works very well, especially in conjunction with a tens unit and an anti-inflammatory. I am.on prednisone daily for inflammation because my liver enzymes were going up on nsaids. I am also on Simponi biologic injection once a month until I can get a program to cover my coinsurance of 600 dollars for the Remicade infusion that my doctor feels would be the best treatment for me. In addition I take 17.5mg of methotrexate per week, which helps with my back, hands and feet. Exercise (I learned to swim) goes a long way toward managing symptoms including muscle spasms. Stretching daily helps too. Learn as much as you can about this disease and learn to manage it. No 2 of us are exactly the same, so don't be afraid to try different exercises or treatments. ALWAYS discuss everything with your doctor first.

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