Muscle weakness or fatigue?

[jymm]

How does true muscle weakness, due to muscle disease, not lack of use, differ from muscle fatigue? Specifically, the fatigue experienced in Parkinson's disease?  I have Parkinson's (rt. side) and for several years  I have felt a distinct weakness in my right arm, shoulder, wrist,etc.  I have slowly been able to do less of those things that I used to do with ease.   i.e. lifting, carrying, gripping, etc. I get occasional weakness in my quadricepts at the point where they attach to my knee.  It is occsional there, but the rt. arm has had a steady, slow progression of weakness.  How does the clinical presentation differ between muscle fatigue and muscle weakness?

[DrHelp]

do you have ANY other symptoms-- or just muscle weakness? (depression, fatigue, concentration probelms, etc?)

if other symptoms i would research AGHD- adult growth hormone deficiency or see if GH injections would help your muscles.
they sure helped me-- i now have strength in my muscles-- something i have never had.

also look into magnesium deficiency-- and read about it-- it may help?

[jymm]

I will be more direct.....Why do I keep getting a diagnosis "no objective weakness"?  I have been complaining of rt arm muscle weakness since about the time of the diagnosis of Parkinson's, which took place in 1995.  At that time it was primarily on the right side and it still is.   I have been concernced since l999 that I have another problem, unrelated to the Parkinsons, which  seems to be the reason for the weakness. My right arm is so weak now that minor exertion causes severe pain in my right bicep. Any activity that involves reaching with wrist and bending my wrist, such as turning a car ignition/steering wheel lock on and off is diffiuclt and at times, painful.  I am sure that there must be a good reason why I keep being told that it is not muscle weakness, but I am unable to understand why if I am unable to do those activities with my right arm that I used to be able to do, why it is not weakness?  The right bicep is flabby and 2cm smaller in circumferencethan my left arm.  (I am right handed)I know the difference between weakness and fatigue....I want to be evalautaed for myopathy, especially IBM, inclusion body myosistis because I also have occasional extrteme weakness in both quadriceps and occasionally difficluty swallowing, but cannot get anybody to even take th first step and conclude that I have tru e muscle weakness.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Muscle weakness is generally present immediately upon using the muscle, while muscle fatigue develops with continued activity. Both refer to weakness of the muslces, but differ in how quickly the weakness becomes evident. If you have not discussed these symptoms with your Neurologist I would. He/she can examine you and make sure no other problem is occurring.

[walexcy]

have been having this body weakness for two months now.if I work for an hour and try to relax I fill very weak in all my body.moreso am having a serious waist pain for the past 6 months now,have try a lot of drugs but it will only relief me for 1 or 2day,then start again have done series of test but still having the pains.am just 27years old,a civil engineer.awaiting your quick respond.am wale from nigeria

[Cramos]

I am looking for some answers.
I am a 25 year old hispanic female.  I have very mild CAH (congenital adrenal hyperplasia), and I take 2.5 mg of prednisone daily. Last year, I was on an Isoniazid treatment of 9 months due to a positive skin ppd (tuberculosis).

For years I have been experiencing dizziness and faintness and drops in blood pressure, but recently, along with my usual dizziness and weakness I have been experiencing a heavyness in my arms and legs, a weakness I can't seem to explain.  It is almost as if when I lay down or sit down, my legs feeled nailed to the bed or the floor.  Its like I have to think about moving them, since they feel so heavy.  I've recently also been having back pain. It started with my lower back and I though I was sleeping wrong, etc., but after almost a month, this pain has spread throughout my back.  It almost feels like flu pain, when your muscles ache.  I am starting to get a bit concerned because these episodes are becoming more frequent, usually they would be months apart, but last Tuesday I got this way and yesterday (almost a week later) I got it again. This last one has even lasted longer...I still feel a bit weak in my arms and legs.

My paternal grandfather had Multiple Sclerosis and I wondering it I could be developing this.

Please let me know if there are any suggestions as to what I should do.

thank you.