So i've had this disease for 21 months that may be auto-immune induced due to ana positivity 1:640 and rf at 22/20. Yet I don't have the classic rheumatism symptoms, no joint swelling etc. BUT I do have a lot of muscle spasticity and tightening which is more large nerve fibre related. I also have tendininosis my in my shoulders and some tendonitis elsewhere, that may be from the pressure of the tight muscles But yea idk. I've tried mtx for 2 weeks and i couldn't tolerate it, it aggravated my symptoms heavily and I'm currently on plaquenil and it's yet to do anything for my symptoms (3 months so far).
Initially, I didn't know what was wrong with me so I tried curcumin supplements/black seed oil which really made a difference in my symptoms. It took 7 months to get diagnosed and I still refused the meds cause thing felt kinda stable. I have tried gabapentin 300mg for 2 weeks and again its yet to do anything (currently on it). refused to try cymbalta/tryptizol cause of the supposed side effects but I might try one of them if gaba fails for 2 more weeks.
The main issues that I have are muscles tightness/spasticity. Right now, I actually can't sit when my knees are not level with my glutes/knees. my calfs nerves start to burn like crazy due to compression. emg/ncs both came back fine. I've been forced to lay back in the car with a driver cuz of how uncomfortable sitting is. this been going for like.. 6 months now, hardly any improvements. baclofen/sirdalud improved symptoms by 20% at best. exercising haven't been life changing. but i probably didn't do enough. cold sprays calm the pain down after a flare. I obviously can't drive regularly either. i try to adjust the seating position but still, i can do it maybe once or twice a week. 20 mins tops before the burn starts to kick in. the 2nd issue is that my feet starts to burn 30 mins into a walk due to reduced sweating I assume, which is considered autonomic dysfunction or whatever. I have to place my feet on top of Ice packs when i come home for like 3 mins to calm the burn down. also, the sensation i feel when my feet burns is like.. those lines maybe its the nerve idk.
And no I don't have ms. antibodies negative, both brain/spine mris were fine.
Note: i also take ala/b vitamins. I've yet to try a legitimate med like an snri. doctor warned me of ivig due to heavy sideeffects.
So, what can I do to manage the spasticity and burning in my feet/reduced sweating? What worked for you if any of you have similar symptoms ?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!