Loss of strength

[Barbara N]

Has anyone had loss of strength in the legs or torso? My legs have been giving out and I am falling a lot and I don't have any strength in my arms or upper torso. This has never happened to me before, normally <i am a very strong person. I would love some feedback. Barbara

[Pete]

I have experienced loss of strength in my legs, arms, and torso. I haven't fallen as a result. When I first began exercising after release from hospital (when I was dxed) three years ago. Climbing the stairs to go to my bedroom left me short of breath. My level ground walking endurance was about 200 meters. I still can't lift much more than 20 kilos.

I've been walking to build cardio fitness since. I'm now comfortable walking about 5 km in about 50 minutes. I've just begun some light weight training (shoulder and chest press machines set at about 10 kilos) to rebuild the upper body strength. It's going to be a long haul. I hope it pays off in greater strength and a smaller waistline.

[windchime]

Hi Barbara, Yes I've had the loss of strength in my legs most noticeably. I haven't had them give out on me, but they feel weak. The latest episode was when I took a 30 minute walk before the holidays started. Wish I knew if it was caused by meds or the disease, I'll be checking with my Rheumy in Jan. Please share if you figure it out and I'll do the same.

[mishb]

Barbara,
I hope you get to your specialists very soon.

I don't wish to scare you but weakness, or loss of strength in your legs could mean some serious things, and thankfully some not so serious

Have you reduced your pred lately? Your adrenals may be shutting down.
My sister in law has Addisons Disease and with no adrenals, she had loss of strength in all parts of her body - going at different times.
First her legs, then her arms etc - until she started high doses of pred and all became good again.

It could also mean that your kidney function is so low that toxins are starting to cause the weakness.

Or; it could just mean that you are run down, or have done too much over a certain period of the day and your legs are just weak for a short time.

Please keep an eye on it :sad:


These are only my thoughts and as I am not in the medical field at all, I would suggest that if it continues, you seek professional assistance.

I will pray that things get back to normal by the time you read this and then you can laugh off Michelle's crazy thoughts :razz:

[drz]

Any period of being in bed causes muscle wasting and weakness. It took me several weeks after I came out of my drug induced coma to regain enough strength to even sit up or roll over and walking took much longer. Physical therapy was very helpful and essential to gaining some strength back in my legs. Lot of things can cause weakness in extremities. Damage to major organs like lungs and kidneys affect your endurance greatly.

I always thought much of my weakness in my legs was due to worsening of neuropathy which I have had for years as that often is progressive disorder. Many meds can cause feelings of weakness. It is good to get your strength formally tested in a rehab eval so they can monitor any such changes. It may require further evaluation or changes in you treatment program.

[Barbara N]

Barbara,
I hope you get to your specialists very soon.

I don't wish to scare you but weakness, or loss of strength in your legs could mean some serious things, and thankfully some not so serious

Have you reduced your pred lately? Your adrenals may be shutting down.
My sister in law has Addisons Disease and with no adrenals, she had loss of strength in all parts of her body - going at different times.
First her legs, then her arms etc - until she started high doses of pred and all became good again.

It could also mean that your kidney function is so low that toxins are starting to cause the weakness.

Or; it could just mean that you are run down, or have done too much over a certain period of the day and your legs are just weak for a short time.

Please keep an eye on it :sad:


These are only my thoughts and as I am not in the medical field at all, I would suggest that if it continues, you seek professional assistance.

I will pray that things get back to normal by the time you read this and then you can laugh off Michelle's crazy thoughts :razz:
I have just about all of the above. I am cutting down on pred. doctor's orders My kidneys are ready for dialysis and my adrenals aren't doing so well. It just came on suddenly. I have always been able to move a sack of grain or a bail of alfalfa by myself, now, all of the sudden I can barly carry one meal at a time and have a hard time sitting up in the morning. I'll ask my dr's when I see them next week.

[Alysia]

Dear Barbara.
I hope your docs can soon give you answers and best treatment, so you can be back on your horse with your full strength.
you are in my prayers. take care and update us how are you doing, and if you can't write, please ask your husband to write. because we care for you. good luck :hug2:

[Barbara N]

Barbara,
I hope you get to your specialists very soon.

I don't wish to scare you but weakness, or loss of strength in your legs could mean some serious things, and thankfully some not so serious

Have you reduced your pred lately? Your adrenals may be shutting down.
My sister in law has Addisons Disease and with no adrenals, she had loss of strength in all parts of her body - going at different times.
First her legs, then her arms etc - until she started high doses of pred and all became good again.

It could also mean that your kidney function is so low that toxins are starting to cause the weakness.

Or; it could just mean that you are run down, or have done too much over a certain period of the day and your legs are just weak for a short time.

Please keep an eye on it :sad:


These are only my thoughts and as I am not in the medical field at all, I would suggest that if it continues, you seek professional assistance.

I will pray that things get back to normal by the time you read this and then you can laugh off Michelle's crazy thoughts :razz:

Everything you said fits perfectly, I have been reducing my pred.my kidneys are practically not there anymore. I had my appt. with the nefrologo and she said I don't really even qualify for dialysis because my veins are shot and couldn't hold a tube in my vein for very long and if the go in through the belly there is a good chance that blood vessels will burst and I will get and infection in my stomach. I go to the hospital next week for a treatment to clear the potasium from my system I will be in the hospital for three days as they will be running other tests as well.I fell like I am in much better hands now, they are even going to check out RTX. They did an ANCA test the other day so I will get the results this coming week. I am still riding when I have the strength, it always makes me feel more energized after a good ride.

[mishb]

Barbara, I so sorry about the dialysis.

I didn't mean for my crazy thoughts to be correct, I was just trying to point out that loss of strength and falling could be due to other things.
- I didn't want them to be the reason though :crying:

I am very happy that you will be in the hospitals care and that RTX may be something they can check for you.

I will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers and hope that you will get more strength back, to ride free of pain, again.

[Alysia]

Hi Barbara,
I don't know what to say and if it will turn out to be good or bad that you can't do dyalysis.
maybe they should transplent you a kidney. I just heard yesterday about someone I know, with a kidney disease, that he went to China ! and did kidney transplent with good results.
anyway, I pray for you and send to you my love and lots of hugs. please continue to write. :hug2:

[Psyborg]

Sorry to hear you are having difficulties Barbara. I hope they'll find a way to help you recover the lost strength.

[Debbie C]

Barbara, I don't know if you are in the hosp yet or not but I pray they will find something that will help you and get you kidneys inproving.Just keep thiniking that your horse is home waiting for you and maybe that will bring you some joy when you are down:hug2:

[Barbara N]

Hi Barbara, Yes I've had the loss of strength in my legs most noticeably. I haven't had them give out on me, but they feel weak. The latest episode was when I took a 30 minute walk before the holidays started. Wish I knew if it was caused by meds or the disease, I'll be checking with my Rheumy in Jan. Please share if you figure it out and I'll do the same.

I have been lowering my dose of Pred5 mg a week. It was the day went from20 to 15 that I l,ost strength so the doctor put me back up to 20 and I feel great so I guess it was the pred.

[Barbara N]

Barbara, I don't know if you are in the hosp yet or not but I pray they will find something that will help you and get you kidneys inproving.Just keep thiniking that your horse is home waiting for you and maybe that will bring you some joy when you are down:hug2:

Thanks Debbie, they are going to put me in hospital for a few days and remove the potassium from my system then something to flush out the toxins, it is all they can do since my veins are in such bad shape. I can't have dialysis either. I hope I can get RTX and maybe go into remission. My horse keeps me going and exercising all, the time. I cant wait until it is light out so I can go feed and I try to ride or work her from the ground, every day. There is something so magic about that horse, I just love her so much, she really keeps me going. You take care, Barbara

[stephwest]

Has anyone had loss of strength in the legs or torso? My legs have been giving out and I am falling a lot and I don't have any strength in my arms or upper torso. This has never happened to me before, normally <i am a very strong person. I would love some feedback. Barbara

Hi - I was diag in July 2013 after 10 days in hospital I lost 1.5 stone and weak as a kitten - large amounts of Steroids over next few months weakened my muscles so now am having physiotherapy on back and legs (hamstrings) and doing gentle exercises (planks) and 2 kg dumbells for arms also core work for abs --- still very weak and cant lift much due to torn lower back muscles -- get lots of rest and eat lots of raw fruit and vegetables stay off meat and dairy both are inflammatory which enables you to reduce the steroids which damage your muscles (google side effects)
all best
Stephen

[windchime]

I have been lowering my dose of Pred5 mg a week. It was the day went from20 to 15 that I l,ost strength so the doctor put me back up to 20 and I feel great so I guess it was the pred.

Glad you're feeling better and it was the meds. Come to think of it mine happened about the same time I ended up in the ER becuz my lungs tightened up. Increasing pred helped me too. Mine happened going from 15 to 10. *sigh* Good luck with the hospital stay. Thinking about you.

[Barbara N]

Hi - I was diag in July 2013 after 10 days in hospital I lost 1.5 stone and weak as a kitten - large amounts of Steroids over next few months weakened my muscles so now am having physiotherapy on back and legs (hamstrings) and doing gentle exercises (planks) and 2 kg dumbells for arms also core work for abs --- still very weak and cant lift much due to torn lower back muscles -- get lots of rest and eat lots of raw fruit and vegetables stay off meat and dairy both are inflammatory which enables you to reduce the steroids which damage your muscles (google side effects)
all best
Stephen

That was very informative. I am a vegetarian but I didn't know about the dairy products.This came on suddenly and left just as fast so it had to be the change in Pred. I will google the side effects because I have so little kidney that is functioning, the more I can help it the better.Thank you for the advice. Barbara

[Barbara N]

I am feeling much better now. I was tapering my prednesone and when I went from 20 to 15 that is when I lost strength ,so I am back on 20 and I feel great. So I guess it was the steroids. I will keep an eye on it though. Thanks, Barbara

[Alysia]

Hi Barbara.
so nice to hear from you :hug2: I am glad you are feeling better and riding your horse.
I am glad that the pred is helping. pred is def one of our best friends.
good luck with you stay at the hospital. please update us.