I’m dying to know if anyone else has experienced this symptom. This whole thing started for me when I had violent foot spasms in both feet that lasted for several minutes. From that point on, every time I walk further than a block or two, my right foot especially will spasm and feel like it locks up, so it’s too painful to walk any further. I went to a podiatrist, an orthopedist, and had a full neurology work up. No findings other than my ESR gradually going up along with my CRP. I also saw a hemotologist and nothing new was found.
Has anyone else had a similar symptom? As glad as I was to get a diagnosis and all my other symptoms fit PsA perfectly, I can’t help but wonder if it explains the muscle spasms. The spasms are what was initially so debilitating for the first 4 years. Any feedback would be appreciated.
I've had issues with muscles spasms. I would virtually guarantee that they are related to inflammation. I have PsA and Sjogren's. My best guess is that mine are neurological, and related to the Sjogren's. I've had a number of stretches of time where I've gotten muscle spasms regularly in different parts, mostly lower arms and legs. They have been at their worse when I was having other neurological problems (MS ruled out). They have also flared up again during the premenstrual part of my cycle, again, a time of greater inflammation.
I hope that some of this is helpful to you. I haven't done anything about them other than to ride it out.
I have been getting spasms in both my feet especially my toes for years, it was a big part of my pain for a long time. Two years ago I started to get the spasms in my lower legs (calves and shins) and more recently in both hands and fingers. I don't know what is causing it, I thought maybe I wasn't drinking enough water and increased my water intake but it didn't make any difference. What works for me is, icy cold wet towels on my feet and legs when they spasm and warm water running over my hands and fingers when they do the same.
I have cramping and spasms in odd places, like the top of my mid foot and the side of my ankle. I think it is related to enthesitis (inflammation where the tendons join the bone).
Keeping inflammation under control and applying Voltaren Gel has helped. I also walk in a heated therapy pool which helps me stretch the tendons when they are tight.
Stoney, that is helpful because for the longest time I thought it was neurological, all the while my inflammation was getting worse from no treatment. Easternlady, I’ve tried heat and cold which can be soothing after a spasm but hasn’t helped me walk any further.
I used to walk for miles and could wear real shoes, but these spasms have limited my mobility and quality of life so much. Traveling is very difficult, as well as going to a museum or large event, as I always have to worry how much walking there will be. Sorry for whining, but if my starting treatment on Humira gives me back the gift of walking, I would be so thrilled. I hope you guys are right and once the inflammation is under control, the spasms will be as well.
Walking has been painful for my feet. One thing that has helped me is wearing Croc shoes whenever I can. The backless style helps keep my heels from becoming inflamed, and they are great for sore ankles and knees too.
I get these too. They are so not fun! I have started stretching every day. Nothing fancy, just simple leg stretches. When the spasms happen, I drink tonic water. The quinine in it helps to alleviate the spasm. It works, but make sure it’s okay with your doc or pharmacist. I have no idea if there are any interactions with our medications, but it works, so I use it.
I have also found that the are better if I have really good shoes on. They were much worse before I ditched higher heels. My new heels are about an inch and a half - MAX. I wear Clarks, Birkis, Dankso, Sofft, AeroSoles, or good walking shoes. I am also keeping up with how long I’ve had each shoe for and what condition the foot-beds are in. It’s expensive, but I’ve spent the last year or so changing all of my shoes over to these brands. But, my cramps aren’t as frequent or bad as they used to be and that makes it worth it to me.
I take a potassium supplement each day. For me, these cramps are due to electrolyte imbalance. So better shoes and the supplement helped me almost get rid of spasms.
Oooh,good point, Snooty. Potassium imbalance could also be a cause. If you are on a biologic or DMARD, that lab is drawn with your 3 month labs, so the doc should be aware. If the cramps began since your last labs were drawn, it might be a good idea to have them drawn early.
Grumpy, it sounds like we wear the same shoes! True that they are expensive but it has cut down on my spasms…when I wear “regular” shoes the spasms come almost instantly! Tonic water is good too…especially if you put a bit of vodka and lime in it not taking methotrexate so once in awhile is ok.
I’m also thinking of trying to increase my potassium a bit and take a magnesium supplement. Anything that helps me walk would be a godsend!
GrumpyCat said:
I get these too. They are so not fun! I have started stretching every day. Nothing fancy, just simple leg stretches. When the spasms happen, I drink tonic water. The quinine in it helps to alleviate the spasm. It works, but make sure it's okay with your doc or pharmacist. I have no idea if there are any interactions with our medications, but it works, so I use it.
I have also found that the are better if I have really good shoes on. They were much worse before I ditched higher heels. My new heels are about an inch and a half - MAX. I wear Clarks, Birkis, Dankso, Sofft, AeroSoles, or good walking shoes. I am also keeping up with how long I've had each shoe for and what condition the foot-beds are in. It's expensive, but I've spent the last year or so changing all of my shoes over to these brands. But, my cramps aren't as frequent or bad as they used to be and that makes it worth it to me.
Hopefully, that combo: PsA meds, good shoes, supplements, increasing your h2o intake, stretching and the tonic water (minus the vodka!) will keep the cramps at bay. Mine are much better, but I still get them occasionally.
On another note, I have found that I love the challenge of shoe shopping for cute AND comfortable shoes. I’ve gotten some great pairs, and it’s been fun to hunt for them. You might look into custom orthotics for the “regular” shoes. Less costly than replacing everything, and some styles are hard to find. I haven’t done this, but I’m sure it would be helpful. I have gotten some of the gel insoles for boots since they have almost no support. I always got cramps when I wore them without- I haven’t found many good brands that a) aren’t heavy or b) that I like enough to spend hundreds of dollars for. The gel insoles really solve that issue for me.
Jillybean said:
Grumpy, it sounds like we wear the same shoes! True that they are expensive but it has cut down on my spasms…when I wear “regular” shoes the spasms come almost instantly! Tonic water is good too…especially if you put a bit of vodka and lime in it not taking methotrexate so once in awhile is ok.
I’m also thinking of trying to increase my potassium a bit and take a magnesium supplement. Anything that helps me walk would be a godsend!
GrumpyCat said:
I get these too. They are so not fun! I have started stretching every day. Nothing fancy, just simple leg stretches. When the spasms happen, I drink tonic water. The quinine in it helps to alleviate the spasm. It works, but make sure it’s okay with your doc or pharmacist. I have no idea if there are any interactions with our medications, but it works, so I use it.
I have also found that the are better if I have really good shoes on. They were much worse before I ditched higher heels. My new heels are about an inch and a half - MAX. I wear Clarks, Birkis, Dankso, Sofft, AeroSoles, or good walking shoes. I am also keeping up with how long I’ve had each shoe for and what condition the foot-beds are in. It’s expensive, but I’ve spent the last year or so changing all of my shoes over to these brands. But, my cramps aren’t as frequent or bad as they used to be and that makes it worth it to me.
How interesting. Before I was diagnosed I had a terribble time with cramping in my legs at night. The charleyhorsess would wake me up. A hefty daily hit of potassium helped a lot. Since starting PsA meds, I tapered the K off, and haven’t had any problems with it. So strange.
I had to start wearing… Crocs. Ughhhhh!!! Lol!!! But- they have lots of cute styles and look on Brads Deals and you can sign up for the news letter and get them sooo cheap. I have adorable flats that even my college-age daughters are jealous of and cute as pie sandals. You can’t even tell they are crocs. I also have a pair of what I call Smurf crocs- te big ones - in Clemson orange My girls groan when I bust those out. They are so amazingly comfortable for my arthritis feet and ankles which are my trouble spot. I don’t have spasms like you, though. I have terrible swelling in my ankles and feet an arches if Ido any walking or standing, even just in my house. I have wanted to try Birks but I am too poor (two kids in college…)
I have the muscle spasms in my feet on and off. Thought is was plantar fasciitis, but wonder now if it is from the PsA. I feel like I have cinder blocks attached to my feet. My sister has the same feelings too. These are from flares? Doc can't really seem to give me any answers.
not taking methotrexate so once in awhile is ok.