RA and Achilles Tendon Pain

Hi,

I haven't written in a while. I had a flare a few months back and wound up on prednisone pills that just gave me insomnia and made matters worse. I got a shot and within two weeks I was okay again.

I think I have a couple of related questions.

Does anyone here live in hotter states? Do you think the heat helps or hurts your RA?
We live in both Delaware and in Florida. I think my RA is much worse down here in Florida. Naturally, I cannot convince my husband of this, and he plans on us moving down here in three years, and I am dreading it.

Do any of you have achilles tendon pain? I tore my left one running years ago. This morning, I woke up with very strong pain in my right leg. I just did a search, and RA can indeed cause pain in that tendon.
If you have had this problem, what works?

Has anyone had severe shin splints or leg cramps?. Mine have been awful, but only at night. It feels as though the bone in my leg is going to raise up out of my skin!!! My foot and toes also cramp. A friend with RA suggested I take a magnesium supplement. Has anyone else had this problem?

That's it; I've whined enough for the day.

Hi and yes I used to get intense pain in my achilles but for me it was due to the synovial sheath that surrounds the tendon tearing away from the tendon. It looked like a sock that had fallen down around my achilles (like they will bunch up around your ankle) when it had torn all the way off and was still very painfull afterward as well.

I had it surgically removed and it has been much much better ever since. My Rheumy told me that this can happen with RA and that it can affect the surrounding connective tissues as well as joints. I have always had a lot of pain in the tendons and connective tissues as well with mine.

I have been to FL several time for business and what I noticed while there was that I had a lot of swelling each time. I take it because of the humidity and also due to the thundershowers that roll through most afternoons changing the barometer. I didn't take great care of myself back then though and traveling was tough on me especially with jetlag etc.

I find the humidity and frequent storms in florida make me flare but that's me.

Hi Patty,
I have only visited Florida once. I suffer badly fro hot flashes due to menopause and so heat other than hot tub is killer. I live on no cal coast where it's cool thank God. Do you take calcium sips? That is what my doc suggests for leg cramps. When all else fails I take a muscle relaxer.. only need that rarely when I way overdo on workout.
Beth