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230625 tn?1216761064

Leg/arm weakness ~ muscle fatigue/shakiness

What type of leg/arm weakness do you experience?  

I have heard many experience more of a muscle fatigue where their leg or arm feels like it is weighed down with cement.

My weakness is more of a "shakiness" or where my legs feel like jello or wobbly.  They do not feel "heavy".  Actually, there are times where my whole body feels like it's shaking, but it's only visible in my hands.  

Is there different types of weakness in MS or do you experience different types?   Do you initially feel wobbly, then have muscle fatigue later?   Or, is it just the unpredictability of this disease in that everyone experiences something different?

Still un-Dx'd and looking for answers.....  Pat :)
45 Responses
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Avatar universal
I checked my wife into the hospital Friday here in Austin. She was so shaky she could not walk on her own. It came on over about a week.  
Her hands were shaky beginning about 4 weeks before that. Her muscles she described as having run a marathon.
She is diagnosed prelim today as advanced hyper thyroid. Brain scan came back normal.
I intend to have her tested for Lime Disease, MS, and other culprits including lupus etc..
We have 4 small children. She had a tummy tuck a few years back and they cut a main nerve in the process. wondering if that may have some compounding effects on this new emergency in our lives..
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Avatar universal
just reading in an old post...are you still at this email
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Avatar universal
sorry to hear that, its happening to me too just all of a sudden don't know what to do no insurance I'm scared as I'm only 32.  What would I say to check even if I went to ER its scaring the crap out of me
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5887915 tn?1383378780
Hi I'm the same as you. I have had arthritis since a child & just got dx'd with MS but have had the MS probably for 15+ years. I am guessing you went on one of the TNF inhibitors like Enbrel & Remicade. I also took both before I started on Rituximab which has been wonderful for me as it treats both conditions.

I knew the risks when I took the TNF inhibitors but I clearly had MS before these drugs came along but I didn't really know what MS was back then. They may have made my situation worse though. I don't think they are totally sure what the connection is with these drugs with people getting MS yet. I wish you the best. Take Care, Karry.
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Avatar universal
I constantly have fatigue in my upper leg muscles and cannot walk very far.  This started happening in May after I had Sepsis and still has not improved much. I am starting some PT next week.  I have to walk with a cane with a wide base or use a scooter. The cane helps, but walking any distance makes me feel weak and very unstable. I used to get tremors, but those have gone away with the use of a Sonix whole body vibration machine. It has not helped my legs.  I also have pain when putting on lotion, wearing socks or any gentle touching or touching at all of my legs. Wearing pants even hurts.  I wish this would go away, but mine has been the progressive type.  I have been diagnosed with RA and MS.  My RA meds brought about an increase in MS that has not stopped.  I only have two brain lessions, but they must not be in a very good place.  I also have RA and MS in my eyes. I had the experimental blood test that was positive. My spine was clear.  Life is good.  My heart goes out to all the young with this disease.  I was 52 when RA was diagnosed and 55 for MS.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I am new here. I am so confused and don't know what to think about the way I have been feeling. I started with numbness in my hands at night, it was so bad that it was waking me up. And then I was feeling extremely tired in late afternoons. I was also feeling numbness in my right foot while walking. The symptom that is also very weird to me was that when I am using my hands for stuff that requires precision like cutting meat with a fork and knife, or using a spray bottle, my hands would feel so week! I would feel like my heart was beating faster when I kept trying. I went to the Dr. and she did the finger to nose test and I failed :( she suspects MS. I had an MRI done but it came back normal. I don't know what is going on with me please help!! I am a 35 yr old with 2 young children. Thank you.

Janeth
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Avatar universal
Hi Just stumbled on this site as I was having a challenging day.
I am 45 and had been really active and engaged with life.
Its been a year since I had been diagnosed.
Awoke one morning paralysed on my right side.
Leg arm and face.
Initially they thought maybe a stroke but later diagnosed with MS.
Have since regained about 90% and improving slowly. Am not on any meds and seem to be doing ok
MRI shows no new lesions and it will monitor every year by Neuro.
I do however feel ongoing vertigo and weakness, especially in my right leg, (When the weather is warm or when I'm fatigued or overwork.
Its great to see some really positive posts as it gives me a reality check. I now take each day as a gift and have completely changed lifestyle and diet.
Best wishes to all.

Thanks for sharing.
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Avatar universal
You sound much like my wife. She was diagnosed in 1989 at age, 35. We have been chipping away at reducing symptoms through natural means since then. We have done well. Today her biggest problems are injuries from falls. She even had a small book about her MS experiences published called, "My MS Challenge". On the back cover, it says never give up, just like you said. I appreciate your positive attitude. I believe it's better medicine than anything doctors could have. If you want, maybe we could exchange ideas.
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Avatar universal
Trisha27 have you had any further diagnoses yet?  I'm 27  and experiencing the same issues. Just curious...thx Jill
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Avatar universal
I am diagnosed with MS and currently in PT for left side weakness. It's not nearly as bad as it was last year. Last year I couldn't even lift a one pound weight with my left leg and I had diminished control and use of my left hand. I had a very noticeable limp (Think: Igor). My muscles had started to atrophy and I was pretty shocked at how quickly this occurred.

Usually when I get up is when I have the wobbly thing going on. I think this is because I get spastic at night. By mid morning early afternoon I am usually pretty good, later afternoon is when I get the heavy leg thing going on and usually some pain too.

I am hoping to get normal strength and control back in my left leg and I am really not that far off so I think it's likely that I will. I'm sure I will still get weakness from fatigue or heat induced weakness, but I think I'll be pretty close to 100% soon.

My left hand is about 80-90% of what it should be. I have a lot of spasticity issues in my lower are and left hand, but I've been plateaued there for so long I think that's as good as it's gonna get, but it's still pretty good. I can pretty much still do almost everything I did before except play guitar like I did before and opening doors is sometimes tricky.   It definitely could be a lot worse.
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Avatar universal
I'm 26 yrs old and I got diagnosed with MS in January, 2012.  I know what it's like to not understand your body anymore...so many symptoms and bad days.  This brings fear with it. I don't trust doctors anymore and people annoy me because they want to throw so much advise my way and tell me how to live my life.  

As i type this right now, my arms are sore and i wake up with my elbows in pain sometimes. My feet are numb yet tingly.  I have to drag my left leg when i walk.  The left foot from under my knee feels like it wants to drop off.  I have the shakes, notice it more in my right hand and thumb when i text... and I giggle at the double vision. I tire so easily and fall asleep anywhere. I'm learning more about myself, essential oils, herbs, what i take into my being (body, soul and spirit)..        

Like the other people who throw advise at you I have a couple things to tell you. Never allow fear suck you and take your life away.  Remain positive through these challenges. Look at life with new eyes.  Laugh at every chance you get, it's a LOT more fun than crying.  Appreciate and be patient with those who take care of and love you especially as they are also confused and sad.  Love yourself and meet other positive people who understand what you are going through.
  
Never give up.
Cheers
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Avatar universal
thank you..I did what you suggested
jms75
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Avatar universal
Hi there

You have posted on an old thread and your question might not get noticed.

I would advise you to start a new thread, if you start by going to "post a question" - the orange button at the top of this thread, then copy and paste your question.

This is a very active forum but can be quiet at the weekends so you might not get answers immediately

Meanwhile welcome! You have come to a very good place.

Mand
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Avatar universal
Hello to all, this my first time ever posting on a forum..Not sure if this is the right one for me..I have just been googling any and everything I can to try to figure out what is going on with me..I have been having index finger, wrist, forearm and recently thigh soreness.. it almost feels like I have worked out and its the soreness from that..I feel fatigue..at night when I move from side to side (I also have a 5 month old that I am moving from side to side as well),..I feel very heavy.neck stiffness..I do feel better if I get out of the house..I have had more than usual hair loss, feelings of difficulty remembering things..yesterday I was as normal, and then had to rush and was feeling the RUSH my whole body felt jittery, I was very aware of all the things I was carrying..my strength I feel as weakend..I have had blood work all of which was normal except and ANA level for centromere antibiodies which was 1..I am told this could mean scleroderma or CREST..I do not go to the rheumy til June 21st..Im worried that this is to long to wait to see a doctor..But Im also concerned this could be something like MS.. all these auto immune disorder symptoms are all so similar.. how do you know if you just have one..
jms75
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Avatar universal
Hello, everybody. I don't know if it's a right forum for me, but I have some really weird symptoms, sounds similar to yours. When I waking up, I feel absolutely heavy, and weak, feels like my body was filled with some metal. I pushing myself to walk and do things. But during the day I feel normal, especially in evening, lot's of energy and etc.
    Trying to gain weight again. 2  weeks ago I've lost about 6-7 pounds, I thought it was food poisoning, because I couldn't eat for couple days, I was dizzy and weak, I had fluctuating body temp, night sweats, had hard time to keep balance.  
My blood work was done on thyroid, liver, kidney, everything looks okay.
  
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Avatar universal
I'm only 14 and I have symptoms of MS...I have a doctors appointment for blood work and I'm so worried if it maybe true... the feeling of weakness in both my arms and legs.  Ankles,  to the point I can't walk down stairs..I have to literally sit down and catch time...I'm afraid
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Avatar universal
jenn38018: your post.... Word for word that could be me. No diagnosis. Test can't completely rule out MS but there aren't enough bands in the spinal fluid to call it MS. I have the muscle strength to do almost anything I used to be able to but the muscles fatigue so fast five minutes of anything strenuous is too much, I hurt so much for two or more days. I get knots in my muscles and cramps if I continue after the fatigue starts but some times you just have to get things done. I had numbness in my toes, mostly the left side. It went away after I started taking vitamin B complex, but nothing else has changed so maybe the timing is a coincidence. With out a diagnosis you get treated like you are lazy. I'm lucky my husband has been wonderful and a big help, or I would have given up.
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Avatar universal
i have a 5year old boy. his always complaining of a sore back. its more annoying to him than painfull. his hands constantly shake but these are becomin worse, where its hard to pik up things , not sure wat it could be. today his legs are week and sore with his back and shakin is bad. what are your thoughts
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147426 tn?1317265632
Susie - you posted on a three year old thread.  But, you are correct that the symptoms of MS and those of Lyme have a great deal of overlap.  Two kinds of symptoms common in Lyme, though, do not appear in MS, rashes and joint pain.

quix
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Avatar universal
everyone sounds like the same symptoms as lyme disease...
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Avatar universal
this is exactly how i feel right now with lyme disease. i can't wait until my next appt with my LLMD lyme literate medical doctor.
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Avatar universal
I get all the same things, muscle weakness, fatigue, burning, twitching. Am not yet diagnosed, but contrary to what Jenn said, drinking red wine helps with the twitching. Another thing that was suggested to me for pain and twitching was marijuana. Has anyone tried this?
I am suspected of having MS/Lupus/fibromyalgia- I guess we shall see...
good luck everyone.
Anna:)
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572651 tn?1530999357
hi skeetlemore,

You may not realize it but you posted on a very old thread - most people won't see you questions/comments here.

Would you please start your questions as a new thread so it will get the attention it deserves?  We're a very helpful community and would love to give you some guidance and share our experience.



my best,
Lulu
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667923 tn?1421462724
Hello,
     I just wanted to ask if all of ur test like Thyroid and Lyme,and Lupus all come back normal what then. These were done by NL so I know he did a thorough check. He now wants me to get a brain scan and cervical MRI(the first one to rule out MS). I have asked him @ MS, but he just now is thinking of it...so at least I am going to get tested. It is so scary @ ins. Thank God my hubby has me on his. I am so thankful..I suffer so much and it scares me to think I have a tumor or something really serious..I have felt that for so long...God Forbid..
     I have the classic burning features with muscle weakness, muscle atrophy(bad, and in my legs only),PAIN..of course..the bad kind, getting this stiffness so bad that I feel like I have been in the same position for hours and how hard it is to move it at all. I feel like a rusty ole bolt or something. I hurt in my neck bad too. I have so many symptoms it is sooo scary. I couldn't begin to tell you exactly how I feel. Depressed..yeah from the pain. It can make you that way. If you stay in bed because you can't do anything for it causing you excruciatin pain, you just stay in bed. THE PAIN is just too much. I mean I try to do as much as I can. I do too much on the time that I have..minimal. I have these rings that have formed indentions in my upper calf muscle. It is strange, that they are like symetrical to where they are on both legs, but on opposite sides. I have a lot of numbness,pin/needles,things feeling like they're crawling on you...speaking of...sorry. I have these hot spots I call them. THey just come up anywhere and you feel like fire has been dropped on it. My abdomen is swollen a bit. I have lost 8 lbs. Yeah for me!!
     I also have these horrible cramps and I can't even scratch one foot with the other.I tried to change the channel on the TV and I had a bad one hit from my middle finger on up to my elbow. I can't think anymore and my fingers are gone. Help me if u can think of anything..THank You... Karen and oh always...GOD BLESS
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