Muscle stiffness becoming a regular problem now.

[Shepard1]

Since mid last year I have developed stiffness in my muscles/tendons after I have rested or after waking up in the morning.    I lead a very active lifestyle that also include stretching when exercising.  I walk 4-5 km 6 days a week with plenty of hill walking.   So by rights I should be quite fit and with stretches quite supple.

On standing it takes me a while to stand upright and moving forward I remain stooped for a step or two.  It is just not my lower back, my hips, knees ankles and Achilles tendons are stiff too.  Although it has been bothersome once moving the stiffness improves. 

I have as most of you, I ignored and moved on.  I tend to get fleeting new issues that come and go.   Recently I have experience neuropathy like symptoms where I get cold water sensation run down my back, splattered drops of water on my arms or legs.  EMG came back normal 2 years ago.

I had a scare last week after doing some work that required me to kneel a couple of times, it wasn't hard kneeling.  After about the tenth time I developed significant pain and weakness in both my quads muscles.   Both my quad muscles could not control my ability to control me to sit down,  I went plop.    I had to rock myself up or pull myself up from the chair.   When I went down some steps I was able to lock my knees quickly before they gave way.   This happen twice and terrified me.  Falling down steps does not appeal to me.   I did check my own

It took a couple of days for my quads to settle down, I needed to massage and stretch them.  I thought that over use of my quad's may have been the problem, but I have never in my all my years ever experienced such.  I did my own deep tendon reflex test all normal. 

I wondered if anyone could cast light or had experience with stiffness, short term muscle weakness, pain and cold water sensations (neuropathy).   I am not sure if I should just leave these issues until some more significant arises. 

What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

[Pistol]

I am not sure if this issue is related to dysautonomia - have you checked with your doctor? And also - with no offense - could it be normal aging? I am not sure how old you are, I am 52 and have this stiffness every morning and if I kneel too long my legs hurt - and often I have trouble getting back up as well. In my case I am attributing it to the aging process. I would get checked by your doctor. 

[Guest KiminOrlando]

Have them do a full Rheumatology panel for bloodwork.  See if your ANA is positive.  This happened to me and eventually I was positive for lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis. They call it Mixed Connective Tissue disease in me. Doesn't mean that is what you have, but it might be worth ruling out.

[Shepard1]

I did have a full rheumatology panel many years ago that was NAD.  Something was high but another test it was back normal.  

[Guest KiminOrlando]

It may need to be retested.... likely annually. Mine was negative the first couple of times, well, 'inconclusive'. Autoimmune and dysautonomia go together like peanutbutter and jelly. 

I hope there is a better explanation for your troubles though. 

[Pistol]

@Shepard1 - I agree with @KiminOrlando: if you had a rheuma panel a few years ago it is no longer accurate. I would ask your PCP to get rechecked. 

[Shepard1]

Thanks @KiminOrlando , I will get the panels retested when I next see my doctor.    I am not sure that they will be happy for ongoing testing when negative.     Age could be a factor @Pistol, but Mum does not feel I should be stiff when I am so active.   She feels that I should be fit and mobile at my age especially with the amount of activity I do.

This stiffness came on about 8 months after diagnosis.