Changing hand strength

[Lizzardly]

I'm sure you all know this beginning - 'I'm not sure if this is Lupus or not...' but I thought I'd see if it's familiar to anyone.

I've had a bit of a flare for the past couple of months, nothing too bad, just that draining mental and physical tiredness, various aches and the usual raft of headaches. But on what I hope is the back end of it I'm starting to notice my hands don't feel as strong. I play the guitar a little and after 10 minutes my left hand just doesn't want to keep pressing the strings. I'm also dropping things that I thought I had hold of.

I have a phone consult with the rheumatologist in a month (provided it's not cancelled or changed, as usual) but I thought I'd ask here to see if it rings any bells with anyone.

Thanks in advance

[Hidden]

Idk if it’s Lupus or the same thing as what you are going through, but I have definitely noticed a sudden drop in the strength in my hands. Just using a writing tool is too much after a minute or two. No strength, just scribbles at the point, and hand will hurt terribly. Maybe the arthritis has gotten to it? Idk.

[ShannonB in reply to Hidden]

I have the same

[Joni2011]

This happens to me quite a lot. I assumed it's because of the arthritis in my thumbs and wrists. Things just fall out of my hand sometimes and I break loads of stuff!

[Lizzardly]

Thanks, both. Joni2011, do you find it comes and goes or is it there pretty well all the time?

[Joni2011 in reply to Lizzardly]

All my symptoms come and go. I think this is why I drop so many things. I'm expecting my hands to work and sometimes they do, but sometimes they don't.

[ShannonB]

Mine is worst in the morning but there all the time

[Krazykat26]

Yes I have definitely got weakened hands since diagnosed in 2017..with years of symptoms before..n my left side is affected more than my right!!

Getting tops off of things n trying to get pills out of packets is at times impossible!!

Used to play guitar too but now I just have to settle with gentle taps on a hand drum!! 😔😽😽Xx

[Joni2011 in reply to Krazykat26]

I also can't get tops off, can't squeeze shampoo from bottles, on the worst days I struggle with quite a lot of clothing - poppers, tights...

[Krazykat26 in reply to Joni2011]

Yeah same here Joni..I only wear clothing with elasticated waistbands now..no zips or buttons for me!! I dare to think what kind of a mess I would make with a pair of tights!!! 😹😹Xx

[Hamptons]

Yes, I have it. Some mornings are worse than others. Think it’s to do with the inflammation in my tendons. Either way it’s annoying. Had to get access for work to assessment for specialist keyboards etc.

[Lizzardly]

Thank you all. I now have my fingers (gently) crossed that what I'm feeling isn't the beginning of something worse. Socially distant hugs to all of you who have it worse.

[lowraind]

Yes to the weakness. I was sent to occupational therapy and the exercises did help.

[Joni2011]

I went to Occ Therapy as well and they gave me some useful tips. The best was using a small plastic jug to fill the kettle and saucepans. I was becoming very scared of dropping a kettle, especially when hot. This jug has made the biggest difference - it's just a habit now. And use rubber mats to open things and also to put under things to keep them steady. There are little handles you can attach to plugs as well. Sometimes it's impossible for me to pull a plug out. Tights - I only wear skirts on good days! Other things with coats that I've learnt is to do up every other popper or button rather than all of them. There are often two or three key ones you actually need to use.

There are lots of different kitchen tools designed for arthritis. The therapist told me to look on Amazon - they have a lot and you could try a few designed for the things you find hardest.

[Joni2011]

I forgot something! I was told to decant bottles into small bowls so you can scoop out stuff rather than squeeze. Fairy liquid is hard for me as it's big and heavy. And hold it with your whole hands when you squeeze it into a bowl.

[Lizzardly in reply to Joni2011]

Great ideas, thanks but hopefully for the future. It's just starting, you know that feeling when you know something isn't right but it's not yet very wrong. I'm hoping it'll stay like that or go away altogether but if it does get bad you've got some really useful tips I'll remember.

[Joni2011 in reply to Lizzardly]

You're welcome. Hope it doesn't get worse. x

[MEGS53]

I have it too. If I use my hands too much (I love upcycling old furniture), my hands just stop working for a while. They are generally weak - and painful - and hubby has to open tins, jars etc etc. Good to know it's not just me, if you get what I mean!

[Lizzardly in reply to MEGS53]

I absolutely get what you mean! No one would wish lupus on anyone but it's good to know you're not alone.

[saffroncrocus]

Hi Lizzardly, I have the same problem which I started to first notice two years ago. It started with only seemed to be a bit slow in packing up things at cashier at supermarkets. It gradually got worst that I started to drop things, and noticeably my fingers struggle to grip or no grip. I used to be able to pack up loads of stuff as soon as the cashier has scanned the last item, but now I'm always far behind and need multiple time to grab a bag of potatoes and position it into the shopping bag, sometimes I silently laugh at myself in that situation as I picture myself with a pair of clumsy hands the harder I try the clumsier they become, quite under pressure every time shopping as concerned I hold the queue up. I didn't think it was to do with Lupus initially so went to see the doctor, she got me to see a neurologist and got me tested on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which was ruled out as my nerves was very responsive. I went to see my rheumatologist and he never confirmed with me that it is or it is not to do with Lupus. But he did a blood test one me that showed I'm Vit D deficiency. But I now believe it is do to with Lupus and the Vit D deficiency doesn't help either as it can cause muscle weakness as well. My right arm is worse than left one, I struggle to put the spoon in my mouth just the last inch I feel a great loss of strength, and when I wash my face my right palm has no usual strength I have to use my left hand. But I noticed in the last month or so my right hand has got a bit improvement, I don't know if it's to do with that I've been taking the high strength Vit D. I hope it is as there is a hope to get better. I don't know if you had your blood test done, as sometimes some vit deficiency can cause it, even long term on Hydroxycloroquine can cause it as a side effect. All the very best