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Muscle involvement?

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Posted 7/12/2008 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
After getting cortisone injections on 6/24, my sister got about thirteen days of decent relief from her awful knee pain.  Well, actually, I guess that is still much better...but Tuesday evening she sat down on her sofa and immediately something didn't feel right in her leg.  She was soon having MORE pain, but this time in her thigh muscle.  She did not turn, twist, strain...nothing...just sat down.  She saw someone in her G.P,'s office who thinks she pulled the muscle.  She is back on pain medicine and a muscle relaxant.  Doctor is saying it's not related to all her other problems.  She spoke with her rheumy on the phone late yesterday.  Same opinion (not related).  She is getting fearful of moving for any reason at all after all of these repercussions.  No wonder!  Looking for feedback as to whether anyone else has had muscle involvement like this?  Thanks.  sad
Posted 7/12/2008 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sister, I don't remember if the docs have checked your sister for myositis or polymyositis. I hope they have checked and found no positive blood work. That is one thing that comes to mind. Another thought is . . . when you favor one muscle or group of muscles because of pain . . . you really put a lot of stress on the muscles that take over for that job. This might be what has happened. Whenever we get pain in a muscle, our body automatically uses alternative muscles to help do the injured muscle's job. I wonder if this is what has caused the problem?? It is common in sports injuries. I hope she feels better with some rest. Does she take anti-inflammatories???? This would relieve the swelling that causes some of the pain. Blessings!
Posted 7/13/2008 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sister,

   I remember several years ago one of my thighs would feel like someone had taken a bat to it. It would hurt for about a week at a time and stop. I never got an explaination for the cause of the pain either.

   I hope your sister gets some answers and relief soon. Please keep us updated and take care. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                Babs

Posted 7/13/2008 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sister:

I haven't had the exact thing happen to me. However, I have a serious problem with my muscles and them being tight and feeling like they are burning. Rosie gave you good advice about the other diseases that are related to lupus. Fibromyalgia comes to mind, it's common to have muscle pain with it. Has her Rheumy checked her for fibro? There are 16 tender (pressure) points that the doctor can press on and it hurts. Maybe you could look up where the spots are and you could compare them to your sister. I'm by no means suggesting that you DX your sister on your own, but it doesn't hurt to be knowledgeable about fibro, for when she shes/talks to her Rheumy that maybe he'd test her.

I hope she begins to feel better, and has more and more pain free days, or barely there kinda of pain. Wishing you the best and I hope they get things figured out and begin treating her so that she can enjoy life. She'll be in my prayers that she has less and less pain.

Take care,
Barbara
Posted 7/13/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
My Internet Explorer has been goofy (wouldn't you know?) and I'm just now able to read your replies today. I will pass along your suggestions for her consideration. The initial pain was such that if she moved the wrong way, it made her want to cry out (scream, as she put it). I think that has eased up a little, but is far from being gone. This is a really exasperating ordeal......especially all the long waits between doctors' visits....next one not until sometime next month. It doesn't seem to me they really get the picture....or maybe even care so much. It's good knowing you're here to offer advice and moral support 24/7...although I wish none of you had to be here either, you know? Thanks for all the input.
Posted 7/14/2008 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
If the disease were polymyositis or dermatomyositis the weakness would be pronounced and affect the proximal muscles.  Those muscles around both the hip and shoulder girdles and it would most likely be symmetrical.  It would not involve the type of sharp pain described.

As a lifelong athlete I have had numerous muscle, tendon and ligament injuries and some of them have had excruciating pain.  A muscle tear is very painful and sometimes slow to heal.  Most people do not realize that such an injury can often happen from a simple and normal movement.  The injury does not have to be caused by something dramatic as you see in professional sports on TV. 

If she is out of shape or over weight an injury can happen easily.

If the pain is localized then ice it down and rest. 

Bill

Posted 7/14/2008 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Bill.  I had wondered about the lack-of-use issue playing into this episode due to the other chronic and debilitating pain of the last several months.  I had also thought this almost sounded more like a tear than a pull due to the sharp pain.  Your response makes a lot of sense on all counts.  On a more personal note, I'm somehow especially saddened to see a lifelong athlete dealing with the medical issues you have noted in your signature...but also encouraged by the positive quotes you have chosen to post as well.  Best regards, "Sister" 

Posted 7/14/2008 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Sister,

None of us have a say in how life will turn out but we do have a say in how we deal with it.  I lost 40 lbs of muscle mass from polymyositis in just a week 3 years ago and it left me a quadriplegic who could not swallow.  With a lot of help I was able to become functional again and have returned to some of my activities like golf, skiing, hiking.  I will never be 100% due to the muscle damage but hope to continue to improve by working out 4-5 times a week.  None of the doctors initially thought I would ever walk or swallow again so I have already beaten the best advice.

Every day is a gift and a second chance and it does not matter that I am not normal whatever that is.  I was willing to accept what happened to me but I was also willing to try to get better and it worked.

Life is good.

Bill

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