Is anyone else out there have a lot of muscle weakness in there legs and arms. And if u did how long did it last, and what helped u?

[Daisie4654]

[Hidden]

Hello

Yes I have weakness in spine, legs and arms caused by my condition. The weakness is caused by my condition.

Gentle exercise can help although the muscles are now weak with the condition I suffer from, gentle excercise can help although nuro pain is a real problem

BOB

[LesleyH]

I have had muscle weakness in my legs for around two years, I find it increasingly difficult to go up stairs or even get up from the floor. All the specialists say it's part of the condition

[oldtimer]

The weakness is due to the effect of lack of use - because of the pain in the joints prevents us from doing as much, also, muscle wasting occurs with steroids, which many of us have to have, and from the effect of the disease which affects muscles as well as joints (and just about everything else).

As soon as you can after the immediate flare has subsided, exercise. Even it it hurts. I've found that is the only way to keep as much muscle strength as possible. I go to the pool, walk, dance (gently), do the housework (slowly and in stages) and the gardening likewise.

[dbestdeb]

Yes, it is part of the disease. I had it before I had pain and was diagnosed. I would try to exercise as I did daily and would have to struggle through like I never had before. Then later the weakness is more pronounced from lack of use. This is the part of RA that hit me the hardest and changed my life forever. The pain I can deal with, the weakness and fatigue I cannot.

[Beaches2]

Hi Daisie

Muscle wastage occurs mainly because of lack of use due to pain/inflammation and swelling around the joint. It can happen quickly but the good news is it can also be built up again with exercise.

What you can do depends on where you are starting from. If you are in pain with swelling, start slowly , perhaps with static contractions using an exercise band ( theraband). Perhaps have a look online at static muscle exercises.

My arms have lost a lot of muscle so I use my theraband .

You also need to keep as much range of movement in the joint as you can so I gently move my shoulder joints by leaning forward and allowing them to just swing forward and back and side to side,leaning forward helps so gravity does most of the work.

I am hopeful of starting some cycling in the summer so intend to buy one of those sets of static pedals ( with resistance settings) I will use them for both my arms and legs until I am a bit stronger.

I also have a wii fit which is great for balance and core strength.

If you are mobile enough, then walking is great too. I put extra shock absorbing insoles into my shoes and am trying to walk a little further each day......remembering to swing my arms as I go

Hope this helps a little. Xxx

[Neonkitty59]

Hi Daisie, Any chance you can get the hospital/rheumatology physio to let you do hydrotherapy classes or at least some strengthening exercises with one to one physio sessions? These have got joints moving for me which haven 't had a hope for months or even years in some cases, due to the stiffness and immobility caused by flares. It takes patience and time but with small regular sessions at home too (most exercises the physio gives me are to be done laying on the bed so they aren't hard to replicate at home) they will make a difference. Neonkitty xx

[earthwitch]

If the weakness has come on fairly suddenly, then you do need to go and talk to your GP about it and ask whether you need a neurological check. Don't assume that everything is RA.

[Neonkitty59]

That is true ... not everything can be blamed on RA but it does cause muscle weakness.

[Daisie4654]

Thanks, this has shed a new light on it. Pain with nerve end is not helping at all. Will try to get some kind of exercise program going as walking is hard to do for me,