Originally Posted by Synnove

hi, my neuropathy was digagnosed about 1 year ago. A little time, a few months, before that I was diagnosed with autoimmune leukocytoclastic vasculitis. I have been treated for this autoimmune condition with Plaquinil at first, then Methatrexate. I have had some treatment with Prednisone for periods of times for flare ups.
The small fiber neuropathy started to get much worse 1 year ago and I have been treated for those symptoms with Lyrica and Amitripthyline.
My rheumathologist have been testing me for all different autoimmune diseases in addition to the small vessel vasculitis. All of them have come out negative.
But I have started to have more joint pain now , with some swelling etc. I had some Ex rays done.
My rheumatologist said she thinks perhaps I have rheumatoid arthritis. I know the RH factor blood test and ESR was negative.
My rheumatologist said that perhaps I got the neuropathy, and more of the arthritis are showing up now. I have migratory joint pain in wrists, fingers, shoulder knees and feet/ankles.

The neuropathy is a burning pain all over. Some times when the neuropathy flares up, I have PARESTHESIA IN ARMS WITH PIN AND NEEDLES, and the musles feels like MUSLE SPASM. aT THEESE TIMES, i ALSO FEEL AS IF THERE IS PULLING IN MY MUSLES FROM MY NECK AND ALL DOWN ALONG THE SCAPULA. I DEFIND THESE SYMPTOMS AS MUSLE SPASM, and I think it is due to the neuropathy.
So I was thinking, you asked if any one else had theese symptoms. Yes, I do have inflamatory issues, and neuropathy
The pulling and spasm often requires massage for relief.

Originally Posted by Synnove

Hi N1
What is your underlying disease that is causing the cramping and pulling of muscles?
You mentioned joint pains too. A lot of autoimmune diseases causes jointpains.

The Plaquinil did not help much. ( the plaquinil takes months to take effect. I was on it for 6 months when we switched to Methatrexate. I think the Methatrexate has been helping some. During flare ups, the Prednisone helped me.
But the Lyrica helpes as a pain reliever only, and makes the burning pain less.
I will be seeing a new neurologist en 2 weeks, that a lical support group recomended. I think he will be a little more aggresive as far as the neuropathy symptoms goes. This doctor is a NEUROMUSCULAR SPECIALIST, so I am thinking this make sense as far as the cramping of muscles.
I hope you get answers to your symptoms soon

Originally Posted by tourwick

Have you had your HLA-B27 tested? That genetic marker is positive in a lot of people with seronegative spondyloarthropathies (my brain hurts from spelling that) and can help diagnose either Ankylosing Spondlytitis, Psoriatic Arthritis or Undifferentiated Spondylitis. They are a collection of autoimmune arthritis-es that have symptoms that flare in the spine.

I have Psoriatic Arthritis that is symmetrical (both sides, small joints in the fingers and toes, wrists and ankles) AS WELL AS in my spine. Specifically my neck will 'pop' and all of a sudden I can't move it for several days and take high doses of muscle relaxers to calm it down. The inflammation between the spine joints (gah - what are they called?) shows up on films and accounts for that symptom according to my rheumatologist.

I had read somewhere in my search for why I would have neuropathy with Psoriatic Arthritis (so far I've got nothing) I did come across something that said there was a strong association between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Neuropathy - but I can't recall where I saw that. Don't trust me - google search it and see what you can come up with.

Also - even though you don't have psoriasis now, it doesn't mean you don't have Psoriatic Arthritis. Sometimes the arthritis shows up first. Clues to it being PsA would be inflammation in the joints closer to the fingertips rather than the knuckles which is more common in RA.