Weakness in arms and legs
I don't know if anyone out there might be able to shed light on a difficult I have? I was diagnosed with RA a couple of years ago, and to be honest I am doing really well in the main. I am lucky enough to have been put on effective medication pretty quickly, and don't have the terrible flares that I know many people have. However, although I exercise every day (walking the dog as briskly as I can twice a day, and exercises for mobility and strength a 2 or 3 times a week) I have developed weakness in my arms and legs. This means that I can only climb the stairs by pulling heavily on the bannister, sometimes needing two arms. Raisin my arms above shoulder height is painful. My GP and the consultant really don't see this as an issue, but to me it is. I suppose my main problem is the lack of empathy from the medical people. It may be that it is something I will just have to put up with, but at 58 I want to see if I can combat this in some way, not just accept it.
Any thoughts would be really welcome. Thanks for reading.
I know exactly how you feel believe me! I was and dam well still am, active and a doing kind of woman. I too went through the weak arms and legs phase many years ago when I was also in my 50s. I am 64 now and am more active than ever so don't despair! What treatment are you on? The docs should be able to improve on this. I seem to remember jumping through the Sulfasalasine hoop and falling, the methotrexate pills, you have to be joking, they made me so ill, Methotrexate injections, which were actually much better and started to help me. Then finally Humira and wow, what a difference but shame about the rash and so that was a quick end to that. Next step was Enbrel and I must say, I love this drug and yes, I could write a novel about all the things that happen to my body, but this is the closest I have been to feeling like I can cope, most of the time. I think you should be able to get strength back and I should try and get your doc to listen to you
It is not really all doom and gloom all the time. You will improve. Let me know how you are doing, All the best.
Hi Weaselburn. The first thing I would recommend with any new symptom is to bring it to the attention of your doctor, but seems you have already done that. Are you seeing a rheumatologist? Weakness can be a function of fatigue which is all too common with RA. This article from our editorial team looks at fatigue and weakness: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/symptoms/fatigue-and-weakness/.
For your protection, we cannot give medical advice over the internet, but if you feel you are not being heard or that your RA is not being well controlled, you are always entitled to a second opinion. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
