All over weakening of muscles

[rendean]

Is a gradual (over a 3-4 month time frame) loss of over all muscle weakness common in MS? My PT gal was concerned but I wasn't, but she noticed for weeks so I guess the time frame may be 6-7 months.

I do have atrophy of my left forearm but no other atrophy to my knowledge. I have noticed my loss of strength just in everyday actions. I can't even pick -up our 15 pound dog any more. If I walk for any great distance, my arm tires out using my cane, before my legs do and the the cane is very lightweight.

I cannot sit up if I am laying on my back without rolling to my side first..this has never happened before. Doing the last of the PT exercises I was taught before my insurance ran out even tire my arms before I complete a set. The exercise is simply to pretend putting my right thumb in my left front pants pocket and form an arc with that arm to the other side and end with my thumb facing up.

I am on a lot of meds but they have been pretty stable in dosage and the only new med is Cymbalta.

Any ideas anyone?

Thanks!
Ren

[rendean]

You just painted a picture of disuse by me, just as you have of yourself. Everyone here wants to help and do everything for me and when I'm in pain or feeling really bad, I give in.
Guess I let this happen to myself.

So, I will muster up the energy and courage to start small and work my way back to the exercises I use to be able to do, or at least use that as my goal. Guess I need a poster board and some little gold stars...

Thank you for your answer.

Ren

[Quixotic1]

If your overall activity - all acitivities - is markedly less than it had been for most of your life, yes you can see a disuse wasting of the large muscle groups in a pretty symmetrical pattern.  I no longer can do most things I did with ease a few years ago.

Disuse weakness can be pretty insidious.  Think about whether you have gradually done less, lifted less, walked less far, gripped fewer heavy things, kept your arms raised over your head less long, etc.  In all instances I have to say yes to all categories of exertion.

How much can be brought back?  I would say, certainly some, but, real exertion now is so darned hard.

That may or may not be the answer, but it's what I think has happened to me.

Q

[rendean]

Oops, should have written, loss of over all muscle strength. Loss of  muscle weakness would be great =)