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Strange joint seize ups

Posted , 3 users are following.

Guest
Guest

New member, please forgive this long post. I'm in ridiculous (temporary) pain. I want to know if anyone has experienced this, and what I should call it. I've had RA for five years, I take the medicines diligently and symptoms are well under control. But over that five years I've occasonally experienced an odd thing that my rheumatologist doesn't recognise. If I hold part of my body in an awkward way, instead of just being stiff for an hour or whatever, it seems to get progressively more frozen, until the entire limb seizes up and is in pain. Right now I should not be typing...my right hand is in agony. I did some typing on the laptop when it was on the kitchen bench two days ago. Not a good ergonomic practice, but you wouldn't expect an extreme reacton. All day yesterday my hand was hurting, last night the pain started pulsating up and down my arm and I couldn't sleep. Prednisone 5mg for a few days, and then tapering, fixes it. But I just want to know if anyone else experiences this? It's happened in my jaw, my shoulder, my ankle, my back. Just an incredibly exaggerated reaction to temporary bad posture or asymmetrical posture. My rheumatologist doesn't recognise this symptom. My inflammation levels are actually normal, measured by the blood tests, and these events aren't preceded by what I'd call a flare. Does anyone know what I mean? Thank you.

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 Guest

    Posted

    Sounds as though you have pinched a nerve in you neck or back. How old are you, I have learnt that as we get older our backs develop stenosis or narrowing of the spaces for nerves in our spine, I have it, as well as a form of psorasis arthirits, RA negative.

    I have ruptured S1 L5, and L5 L4 is bulging and also pinching nerves, I am lucky that I have been able to work out what helps me, exercise in a heated pool, treading water supported by noodles/water logs to stretch me out and take the pressure off being upright.

    • Guest
      Guest lyn1951

      Posted

      Hi Lyn - thanks for this. Yes, I'm 57, so definitely in the zone. However, it keeps happening in different places. For the last few days it's been my hand. But there have been lots of different places - shoulder, back, jaw. And it clears up within a week of taking prednisone. It's more like an over-reaction to a very slight tissue strain. I assume it's a result of chronic systemic inflammation, but so far none of my tests ESR, Creatine, etc, have shown up inflammation. All in the normal range. Whatever the inflammation is, it's caused by something they're not measuring. So I was wondering if anyone had these random over-reaction events. However, I have certainly been thinking of doing some kind of calming exercise, so many thanks, I must follow your advice about aquarobics. I do hope things stay enjoyable for you. (Enjoyment being sometimes in short supply with these conditions!)

  • mina61676
    mina61676 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Ekai,

    I experience something very similar for example even if I sleep in an awkward position I tend to have very bad shoulder pains, back elbows etc. I've had RA since I was 21, 7 years now and I guess the only thing that does help is exercise. I practised Bikram yoga for a while and that helped me regain some movements in joints I never thought it would be possible. I have also started taking curcumin supplements (bioceuticals brand) past 4months and that has helped dramatically. Cutting all the night shade veggies is another way I have kept my RA under control. My flares are minimal as I am on medication too. (Methotrexate)

    Hope your pain eases up take care

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