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Severe muscle twitching / limbs jumping

Posted , 7 users are following.

Charlieschoc
Charlieschoc

Hi all. I am struggling just now. I had been feeling a bit better and my bloods have been showing reduced levels of esr and crp. Since being on 15mg of pred. I am now supposed to do my dead slow drop to 14mg but these last few days I have been experiencing something new and it's very scary and extremely painful.

I have been getting excessive tightness in my muscles (arms, legs, neck....& a lesser tightness around the back of my ribs... Not sure if that from holding myself a bit tight in panic/stress though) from the tightness comes a build up of intense pain then at the peak of the pain my muscle will jerk. The tightness is leaving my muscles sore, like after a severe cramp. Also at the peak of the pain before my muscles twitch or even jerk? my muscles seem to be in spasm my hands want to curl up etc.

My question to you all is this... Is this PMR or down to the drugs I am taking?

I am on the pred. plus 50micrograms of fentynl in patch form. I have also started Azathiapine 3 weeks ago (but have had these symptoms in a lesser scale a few weeks prior to starting Aza)

Please advise. Feeling scared. But not sure to go to seek medical help in case they just say it's your PMR go away stop bothering us lol.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz Charlieschoc

    Posted

    How long are you on the fentanyl patch? And for what? Fentanyl can cause muscular stiffness.( I am a retired anesthetist and we see this if administered quickly). If and when you need this med stopped then slow decreasing is mandatory to avoid withdrawal symptoms. If you have PMR the pred should eliminate the need for fentanyl if at the right dose.
    • Charlieschoc
      Charlieschoc karenjaninaz

      Posted

      Hi I was originally on the pain patch for a ruptured disc at S4/5. I also have spinal degeneration. Then when PMR started they said to carry on with it. I still experience a lot of pain in all my muscles even though I am taking 15mg of pred. I recently increased the patch from 25 to 50 as my daily pain can get so bad. I am constantly tired. I guess that could be the patch too and not pmr as I once thought? Mmmm good for thought. X

      Thank you for your reply

  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz Charlieschoc

    Posted

    Please check with your doctor and pharmacist. Myalgia is a frequent side effect from the azothio. With preg you are taking two immunosuppressants at the same time. With each additional med one takes the more chance of drug interactions and undesired symptoms. 
  • EileenH
    EileenH Charlieschoc

    Posted

    Do check with your doctor - just in case! Karenjaninaz has covered it all. 

    However - I'd suggest you need your bloods checked, especially electrolytes (potassium) and calcium and magnesium. In the meantime - try eating bananas, beans, dark leafy greens, potatoes, squash, yogurt, fish, avocados, mushrooms. And possibly try a magnesium supplement in the meantime - it being the weekend and all! You are taking a calcium supplement aren't you? Pred makes you lose all those things (potassium, magnesium and calcium) and low levels of one or all will lead to cramps. If it gets really bad before Monday don't worry about calling 111, explaining and asking for a doctor's advice - they might be able to help. In a sense it probably is just the pred - but it is something that can be nasty.

    • Charlieschoc
      Charlieschoc EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen. I am taking Acrete calcium and vit d. But did read today on One of your posts that you are best to take it 3 hrs after pred. I didn't know that and up until now have been taking them together. With my stomachs medicines as well. So I need to re arrange my pill popping. I have often said I didn't need breakfast with the amount of pills I took in the morning lol. I will form a new plan for that.

      I had full bloods taken yesterday morning to see how the Aza is affecting me so hopefully if there is anything there I can get it sorted. I do know whatever it is it's very scary. I am quite a toughie but this has had me close to tears. xx

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