Sunshine

[Bowred]

Hi can anyone give me sum Advice both my arms feel weak is this all part of PMR

[PMRpro Ambassador]

This is what I wrote where you asked the question on the other thread so I'll put it first and add to it:

The sensation of "weak arms" is something many people mention - and doctors don't "get". I've tried to explain it as more a lack of control - arms and legs won't do what you want them to! I was recently introduced to a paper about myofascial pain syndrome which seems to account for the problem - working on getting rheumies to register it!

It is mentioned in guidelines that appropriate physio programmes are advisable - don't over do the weights if that is what you choose to use and don't do too many reps. Start with very light (even no weights, using a water bottle and adding water as you get "trained" is good) and make sure you aren't developing DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) by resting the next day and assessing. That applies for all exercise programmes you decide to try - you MUST build up slowly. VERY, what may seem ridiculously slowly!

I'll add - be careful with lifting shopping bags or other weighty things. If I lift a heavy bag, even just taking it out of the car, I can feel it in my upper arms afterwards. I don't carry them, I have a small sack trolley to bring them up to the flat from the garage. I often put stuff into several small bags - then put them one by one into a big bag to put on the trolley so each thing to lift is lighter.