Asthenia: Weakness, muscle fatigue in legs, arms or body

[Webhead21]

Anyone have more experience and maybe good news on the matter?

[grandmaD]

Not me Webhead.  Mostly still in legs with excruciating nerve pain lower legs and feet.  Weakness still there.

 

Noticed a couple of times now weakness around my chest/upper back area.  This comes and goes.  When it happens, I cannot lift the kettle to pour into tea-pot!

 

My only hope is the leg weakness and pain will improve once I finish tapering.

 

Be great to hear if anyone has finished tapering has experienced any improvement ?????

[Webhead21]

i think a extremely health diet would be ours only chance.  Eating so well that I become a full time job.  Almost over eat to get a ridiculous amount of nutrients.  I don’t see any other option people have done amazing things by eating right.

[Barbarannamated]

On 2/28/2016 at 1:28 PM, daddybuggaorange said:

Last Sunday I could not walk...literally. Legs were so weak they kept buckling under me. I went to a pain clinic, he used an ultrasound and saw that my muscles were so tense they were restructing blood flow and compressing nerves. He used injections, a deep form of acupuncture to release the tension. I've had 7 days in a row without leg issues. Just a suggestion...

 

DaddyB,

I'm not on often and just saw this thread.  

I'm curious about the type of ultrasound you mention.  I've has US as therapy as well as diagnostic US (abdominal, etc) which shows on a screen.  I don't have kids, but I assume this is the same as used during pregnancy.  

 

Acupuncture is excellent, IME.  What type of pain doc / clinic did these procedures?  Sounds great! 

 

GrandmaD, did you ever find out about the "loss of signal"?  

 

I hope everyone is improving since the previous posts.  

[grandmaD]

What sort of injections did this person have????  I didn't think acupuncture used injections, just needles.

 

Barbara, no never found out what the signal loss meant - Loss of nerves???  I sometimes think about going back and seeing how I am now as I am a lot worse, but is enough trying to cope with w/d without running back to specialists again!  Still have major problems with legs with ache, pain, and sometimes weak and shakey.

[neroli]

Sorry, I have no good news about the weak legs resolving - I actually was reading this thread hoping I would find some examples of the leg symptoms going away.  I'm thinking Fresh's term "asthenia" could fit my situation well, as it is not just my legs, I have very short-term energy and can only do tasks for five or ten minutes at a time (say weeding the garden) and it's not soothing, just exhausting and frustrating.

 

I found this on wikipedia - at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weakness

Central fatigue[edit]

The central fatigue is generally described in terms of a reduction in the neural drive or nerve-based motor command to working muscles that results in a decline in the force output.^[13][14][15] It has been suggested that the reduced neural drive during exercise may be a protective mechanism to prevent organ failure if the work was continued at the same intensity.^[16][17] The exact mechanisms of central fatigue are unknown, though there has been a great deal of interest in the role of serotonergicpathways.^[18][19][20]

 

I was interested to read that the serotonergic pathways were mentioned, as SSRIs work on the serotnergic system.  (I haven't research this further).

 

For what it's worth,  I'm pasting my weak legs experience from my intro. thread (I'd posted it there by mistake, didn't understand how the site worked):

 

In January 2017, I had a physical breakdown - intense dizziness, weak legs, unbalanced/woozy feeling along with myriad other symptoms.  I knew it was a bad wave from the mess created by the medications I'd been taken through and CT/fast taper that I didn't know would lead to long term adverse effects.  I knew it wasn't a good idea to go back on drugs if I could get through the wave but a month or so of intense anxiety/akathisia led me to the psychiatrist's door and I've been on meds. for about a year now.  They have "propped me up".

 

However, the weak, leaden legs feeling (like they are as tight and tired as they would be after a 9-hour hike in hilly country, all the time) and lack of sustainable energy has continued throughout - sometimes I feel as though I'm getting more energy and strength back and can do an hour's walk, but the lead legs never go away and it can worsen again.  I'm using walking sticks to help.

 

Has anyone had any experience like this and did the weakness resolve over time?  I'm so worried I've been totally wrecked by the drugs that this how my life will be from now on.

 

Thanks, Neroli.

[DLB]

On January 21, 2018 at 3:35 PM, neroli said:

Sorry, I have no good news about the weak legs resolving - I actually was reading this thread hoping I would find some examples of the leg symptoms going away.  I'm thinking Fresh's term "asthenia" could fit my situation well, as it is not just my legs, I have very short-term energy and can only do tasks for five or ten minutes at a time (say weeding the garden) and it's not soothing, just exhausting and frustrating.

 

I found this on wikipedia - at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weakness

Central fatigue[edit]

The central fatigue is generally described in terms of a reduction in the neural drive or nerve-based motor command to working muscles that results in a decline in the force output.^[13][14][15] It has been suggested that the reduced neural drive during exercise may be a protective mechanism to prevent organ failure if the work was continued at the same intensity.^[16][17] The exact mechanisms of central fatigue are unknown, though there has been a great deal of interest in the role of serotonergicpathways.^[18][19][20]

 

I was interested to read that the serotonergic pathways were mentioned, as SSRIs work on the serotnergic system.  (I haven't research this further).

 

For what it's worth,  I'm pasting my weak legs experience from my intro. thread (I'd posted it there by mistake, didn't understand how the site worked):

 

In January 2017, I had a physical breakdown - intense dizziness, weak legs, unbalanced/woozy feeling along with myriad other symptoms.  I knew it was a bad wave from the mess created by the medications I'd been taken through and CT/fast taper that I didn't know would lead to long term adverse effects.  I knew it wasn't a good idea to go back on drugs if I could get through the wave but a month or so of intense anxiety/akathisia led me to the psychiatrist's door and I've been on meds. for about a year now.  They have "propped me up".

 

However, the weak, leaden legs feeling (like they are as tight and tired as they would be after a 9-hour hike in hilly country, all the time) and lack of sustainable energy has continued throughout - sometimes I feel as though I'm getting more energy and strength back and can do an hour's walk, but the lead legs never go away and it can worsen again.  I'm using walking sticks to help.

 

Has anyone had any experience like this and did the weakness resolve over time?  I'm so worried I've been totally wrecked by the drugs that this how my life will be from now on.

 

Thanks, Neroli.

Your leg issue sounds exactly like mine. I got this whenever I tapered off fast and when I did it real slow it happened at about 2.5 mg. it has come and gone many times for me but it is with me 90% of the time. I was doing real good this summer and then I had to get a cortisone shot in my knee and my legs went to hell again. It has been 2 months now with severe weak legs. 

Crazy thing is that the 3 times I reinstated my legs hurt excruciatingly bad and were weak for another month then it all disappears and they are back to normal.

God I wish I knew what this did to my muscles....

[Junglechicken]

A couple of years ago, I experienced a handful of times what can only be described as a kind of "hypoglycaemic episode".

 

My legs felt like lead and I felt as though I was walking through treacle.

 

I think it was either a cortisol or adrenaline wave as it started in my head, and went all the way down my body.

 

Felt the need to eat almost immediately........

 

Now, I've had similar episodes (without the heavy legs sensation), and my blood sugar is NORMAL (always has been).

 

Make of that what you will, but its definitely CNS related.

[grandmaD]

On 1/22/2018 at 7:35 AM, neroli said:

Sorry, I have no good news about the weak legs resolving - I actually was reading this thread hoping I would find some examples of the leg symptoms going away.  I'm thinking Fresh's term "asthenia" could fit my situation well, as it is not just my legs, I have very short-term energy and can only do tasks for five or ten minutes at a time (say weeding the garden) and it's not soothing, just exhausting and frustrating.

 

I am beginning to wonder if the leg muscle aching/pain will ever go away.  Recently I discovered my arms are also weak when I tried to clean the shower tiles.  I also have weakness in the ribcage area which comes and goes.  At one point I could not pour the water from the kettle and other times I feel like my “middle” cannot support me, help me to stand.  I discovered how weak my ribcage is when I found an exercise to do to strengthen it.  You hold your arms straight out in front of you, holding a full tin (420g) can for 20seconds in each hand – it is SO HARD!

I have experienced times of only being able to do 10mins in the garden, but many more times of not being able to do anything.  It is very frustrating, but after many years, I have now accepted it.  When I do long holds, like after 6 months, I come good and might be able to do 20-30mins and same with walking, can walk 20-30mins.

My legs are worse in summer and it helps to put them in cold water and ice. 

[grandmaD]

On 1/22/2018 at 7:35 AM, neroli said:

Central fatigue[edit]

 

The central fatigue is generally described in terms of a reduction in the neural drive or nerve-based motor command to working muscles that results in a decline in the force output.^[13][14][15] It has been suggested that the reduced neural drive during exercise may be a protective mechanism to prevent organ failure if the work was continued at the same intensity.^[16][17] The exact mechanisms of central fatigue are unknown, though there has been a great deal of interest in the role of serotonergicpathways.^[18][19][20]

 

.

This makes sense that the body leaves “on hold” the more unimportant things while it keeps the more important things, like organs, going.

I did 10 mins weeding this morning and 20mins watering (for some reason I seem to think watering is “easy” as you just stand there and hold the hose) however, afterwards, by whole nervous system was “buzzing” and “alive” and vibrating.  This is common experience after doing exertion (but, like I said, you would think watering was “easy”!)

[neroli]

This is so frustrating and debilitating for you, grandmaD - I know because it happens to me.  And you're right about the heat - we've been having exceptionally warm weather for us here in Wellington - today it was up to 25 degrees and my legs are like bags of potatoes attached to my hips - so heavy.  I hope for both of us this resolves at some point.  It's a severely curtailed life....

[neroli]

Jungle chicken, DLB, thanks for your responses - I am having EMG tests in February - I think they stick electrodes into your muscles to see if they are firing correctly.  will be interesting to see what the results are.

[Junglechicken]

6 hours ago, neroli said:

Jungle chicken, DLB, thanks for your responses - I am having EMG tests in February - I think they stick electrodes into your muscles to see if they are firing correctly.  will be interesting to see what the results are.

 

Keep us posted Neroli.

 

I never got to the bottom of the heavy legs sensation.

[DLB]

I am going to a neurologist also to get the same test shortly. All my muscle enzymes on bloodwork come back fine. This is the worst of all the symptoms I've had.

[neroli]

DLB - I've had bloods done as well. and neurological tests, and a brain scan (CT) - all came back normal.  It's certainly the worst I find I have to deal with - wooziness and legs that don't feel like they will hold you up.  Luckily, so far, I've managed to be more mobile in the last six months and have clung on to my job, part-time, through the flexibility of my employer letting me work from home and sometimes in the office.  I hope this can keep going.

 

[grandmaD]

Neroli it is great that you can keep working.  I believe we should keep doing whatever we can.  I keep walking when I can.

 

 I can relate to the heavy “lead” legs.  Mine are still not good, but better than all previous summers when it is so intolerable you think your legs can kill you. 

One GOOD AND DIFFERENT thing I have noticed is that I must have feeling coming back, which I thought would never happen.  I presumed that after all these years that I had permanent nerve damage as far as feeling went.  Just last week, I noticed I could ‘feel” the sheet in the bed with my legs and it felt different – it felt “soft”!  I sure hope this continues to heal and the muscle thing might follow.  This is different from the heavy legs that ache, but I guess it all relates to the nerves.

We haven’t really heard from anyone else with “lead” legs to say that symptoms has improved, have we???

[neroli]

The EMG tests showed no muscle disease or structural damage - all nerves seemed to respond to the electrical stimulus and the "sound" of my muscles at rest and when responding to pressure appeared to be ok.   So the neurologist has said that it is most likely that my brain is sending the wrong signals to my muscles.  I pressed and pressed her to answer whether drug damage could be the cause and in the end she said that the pills I had been on seemed to have been the wrong ones for me (I was telling her about the severe adverse effects of being swapped in a short time from one a-d to another, the long term effects when I CT'd off SSRIs  and the physical breakdown last year - see my intro at 

 

But she said she had seen people who have been under high stress with the same sort of problem.  Which is a bit confounding.  I KNOW that the drugs have had a significant effect but each time I meet with a professional I come out asking myself if I have been wrong all along - it is so disturbing to keep going over the traces and  getting a grip on the reality of my experience.

 

So, no special treatment or exercises - just the advice to keep doing what I can and the condition could clear up, maybe in a year.

[Webhead21]

On 2/19/2018 at 1:46 AM, neroli said:

The EMG tests showed no muscle disease or structural damage - all nerves seemed to respond to the electrical stimulus and the "sound" of my muscles at rest and when responding to pressure appeared to be ok.   So the neurologist has said that it is most likely that my brain is sending the wrong signals to my muscles.  I pressed and pressed her to answer whether drug damage could be the cause and in the end she said that the pills I had been on seemed to have been the wrong ones for me (I was telling her about the severe adverse effects of being swapped in a short time from one a-d to another, the long term effects when I CT'd off SSRIs  and the physical breakdown last year - see my intro at 

 

But she said she had seen people who have been under high stress with the same sort of problem.  Which is a bit confounding.  I KNOW that the drugs have had a significant effect but each time I meet with a professional I come out asking myself if I have been wrong all along - it is so disturbing to keep going over the traces and  getting a grip on the reality of my experience.

 

So, no special treatment or exercises - just the advice to keep doing what I can and the condition could clear up, maybe in a year.

Do you leg physically look weaker?  Lossinng muscle mass or legs feeling softer, not as firm.

[neroli]

19 hours ago, Webhead21 said:

Do you leg physically look weaker?  Lossinng muscle mass or legs feeling softer, not as firm.

No, Webhead, there's no sign atrophy or loss of firmness.  The feeling is like lead legs that could buckle at any minute and a substantial reduction in energy

[Webhead21]

The muscles in my calf’s as continuously  shrinking years 2 years.  What in the world should do. Should I go to a doctor at this point?  If I did what would The doctor label me with? What’s the next course of action because if this continues what than...  I need advice on what doctor have said to anyone who sought help.  Please I need an answer.

[Nada678]

Neroli

 

I have muscle wasting and weakness in my legs.  I am thinking of going to see a neurologist.  Do the tests hurt?   Even if the tests are normal,  could it still be the withdrawal causing the nerves attached to the muscles to be faulty?

 

Thank you

[Webhead21]

16 hours ago, Nada678 said:

Neroli

 

I have muscle wasting and weakness in my legs.  I am thinking of going to see a neurologist.  Do the tests hurt?   Even if the tests are normal,  could it still be the withdrawal causing the nerves attached to the muscles to be faulty?

 

Thank you

The answer is unclear, but if you can visit a doctor I you would be giving data back to the community.  I strongly advice you to talk to a doctor and relay the information back to us. My symptoms as similar to your, so, yes, please visit a doctor.  

 

Im starting to think the constant stress is a big factor in with my muscle loss, but I can’t be sure.  I’ve started practicing yoga can Its doing wonders for my stress levels.  I can’t tell you how affect yoga was been for me. Download the app down dog if you like to practice, maybe a research on the topic yourself.

[neroli]

Nada, Webhead

 

Sorry I didn't know you had posted these comments - for some reason I'm not getting notifications of posts, even though I've ticked the box saying I do want notifications.

 

The tests didn't hurt - the first one was where she sent an electrical "volt" down the nerves, to see if it made them twitch.  then she turned up the voltage and did it for 10 shots - that was like having a heavy elastic band snapped onto your leg, a bit uncomfortable but not agony.

 

Then she put thin needles, like acupuncture needles, into my muscles and listened to the sound of them - it was a sound like an old wireless being off-tuned, crackly.  then when she wanted to see how the muscle reacted to pressure, she told me to press against her hand and the sound became louder and more crackly.  I think this meant that the muscle was firing ok.

 

Her conclusion was that the musculature is fine but that my brain is sending the wrong signal to my muscles - there was no explanation of why this could be, nor any treatment mentioned, but she said it could come right, perhaps in a year.  I was referred for the tests by my GP (there is some free public treatment in NZ).  I think I will go back to my GP and ask more about what this could mean - that my brain is sending the wrong signals.  After having thought about it for a while, I realise I don't have any idea of what this means or whether there really is some chance it could resolve itself.

[Webhead21]

Has your stress levels been higher for longer periods at a time, or your level of depression and anxiety.  Stress can product cortisol that can weaker your muscles, from what I read.  I don’t know how my body would react with my all mental issues resolved.  I’m constantly in fight or flight response. I’m trying to get myself at a Optimal state in the hopes of better results.  What your state of mind right know? 

[grandmaD]

On 3/5/2018 at 5:29 PM, neroli said:

Nada, Webhead

Her conclusion was that the musculature is fine but that my brain is sending the wrong signal to my muscles - there was no explanation of why this could be, nor any treatment mentioned,  After having thought about it for a while, I realise I don't have any idea of what this means or whether there really is some chance it could resolve itself.

The brain is sending the wrong messages???  Very interesting! 

 

I had the same test you did (except the one on top of leg that shot a volt to the lower leg hurt A LOT!) and he had no explanation either.

[neroli]

On 3/15/2018 at 8:33 AM, Webhead21 said:

Has your stress levels been higher for longer periods at a time, or your level of depression and anxiety.  Stress can product cortisol that can weaker your muscles, from what I read.  I don’t know how my body would react with my all mental issues resolved.  I’m constantly in fight or flight response. I’m trying to get my legs started to get weak when I was off the a/ds myself at a Optimal state in the hopes of better results.  What your state of mind right know? 

My legs started to get weak when I was off the a/ds and in protracted withdrawal syndrome, then they got even worse and I had a physical breakdown.  there was no real stress at that time -only the w/d symptoms.  Then I was medicated and have been on anxiolytics so that has taken away the anxiety but the legs have got worse - as if I have been on a very long hike and the muscles are tired and exhausted.  I also have a "woozy" feeling.  

[neroli]

13 minutes ago, grandmaD said:

The brain is sending the wrong messages???  Very interesting! 

It is an interesting hypothesis, and without wanting to sound like I know better than the professionals, I am wondering if this means that it is because my CNS has been damaged...who knows?  The docs. certainly don't seem to...

[neroli]

We had a fire drill at work yesterday.  I walked down nine flights of stairs - a breeze in my "normal" life before all this lead legs stuff hit.  Now, my calf muscles are stiff and achy and I wonder if they will stand up to a day at work again.  This is so sad and frightening - will all this resolve?  Am I going to have to deal with it for many years? How will I maintain any sort of social connection when I'm drained and tired out most of the time?  All rhetorical questions as there don't seem to be any answers.  Just an example of how the damage from drugs has affected me.

[Junglechicken]

Since I started taking a PPI 7 days ago, the last couple of days, I have woken up feeling weak, especially in my legs/knees.

 

Am not sure if this is the actual cause.

 

On Monday I walked away from my narcissistic mother for good.....so it could be emotional, or it could be because I dropped my AD dose 2 weeks ago as well.

 

Perhaps all of the above??

[Tanha]

On 5/14/2017 at 9:54 AM, grandmaD said:

Thanks DLB for suggesting I look at your posts!  I had not seen this thread before, but now find others experiencing the same weakness and cramps and what about spasms?  What about shooting pain in feet and toes that is excruciating?  I now have hip problems and backache and feel fragile like I will break or muscles around chest/ribs will collapse.  It is frightening and today lower neck and upper shoulder is aching and painful and feels like muscle tension/cramping.  I did not CT but have been almost 6 years on a 2.5% taper, so going very, very slowly and yet all these things are getting worse and I don't understand it! 

Dear grandmaD

How are you doing now?

do you think the slow taper was only prolonging symptoms?

from which drug are you tapering?

 

with my taper things get worse with every tiny cut

tanhs

On 5/16/2017 at 2:24 AM, DLB said:

Hey grand D, I think if you are the unlucky one like me to get this symptom, it doesn't matter how slow you go. I feel that it is going to happen at low doses no matter how slow you go. I have heard from many and through research I have found it to take several years to go away sometimes. I wonder if yours will take longer because you are going so slow. Whatever happens just hang in there and know it improves. FYI, if I could ever describe this terrible feeling I would say it is like having a horrible cold or flu just in your legs.

Hi dlb,

 

I have the same weakness. It is very bad.

 

how are you doing now? Any improvement? 

tanha

[Tanha]

On 12/16/2015 at 6:45 PM, LexAnger said:

Hi Mort81,

 

Thanks for responding!

I hope the symptoms improve over time for you. It is one of the worst and disabiling symptoms. Very heartbreaking consider we are still on the drug, and far away from being free from these poisons.

 

Hang in there and keep the good effort of moving!

 

Lex

Dear lexanger

how are things going?

 

tapering with these symptoms for years is horror. I am bedridden due to this weakness. 

I cannot believe what is happening to me since I taper 

(and of course since I started these meds years ago). 

 

Tanha

[grandmaD]

On 12/20/2018 at 11:50 PM, Tanha said:

Dear grandmaD

How are you doing now?

Not good.  Leg pain is bad all the time, seems to keep getting worse.  Still get spasms, cramps, etc.

do you think the slow taper was only prolonging symptoms?

Slow or fast - think no difference. 

from which drug are you tapering?

Aropax/Paxil

with my taper things get worse with every tiny cut

tanhs

Hi dlb,

 

I have the same weakness. It is very bad.

 

how are you doing now? Any improvement? 

No improvements.  In fact, more different symptoms

tanha

 

[grandmaD]

I am tapering from Aropax/Paxil (Paroxetine) since 2011.  10% taper failed after 3 months ending up in hospital with high blood pressure and 3 episodes of severe chest pain.

Started at a 5% taper for a year which was unbearable and went to a 2.5% taper.  This was somewhat bearable but still horrendous for the most part.  I never had what people call “windows”.  My whole life changed completely, becoming like a disabled person with up to 20 different symptoms.

When I realised how long a 2.5% taper would take, I upped it to 5% and that was a brutal mistake, so I realised that despite 2.5% being so bad, was probably a bit better than 5%.

After 4- 5 years (2015/2016) I began to see some signs of improvements in 8 of my symptoms.  Then, suddenly I began to deteriorate into a hell worse than the 5% taper and didn’t have a clue why.  It took me a couple of months and I discovered I had been switched unknowingly to a genetic brand!  It has taken a good 2 years to stabilise from that.

I have tried at times to go faster by dropping more and that was definitely brutal.  I tried a BrassMonkey slide which was also brutal.  I tried to go faster by tapering after 4 weeks or 6 weeks intstead of 8 weeks and that was brutal.  The best I ever found was a 6 MONTH HOLD in which case I started to find it more bearable after week 20.  I did this every year for a couple of years.  I haven't done it this year and I think I probably need to do it again, but hate the idea of it taking so much longer...

 

I now have other symptoms worsening, like constant chest ache and pain.  I have had that all along, but not every single day like now. 

 

I really think my nerves are shot and that is the bottom line of what affects my muscle weakness, spasms and cramps, aches and pains.

 

I have constant "hi stress" feeling which is very distressing.

 

How are you guys now?

[Tanha]

2 hours ago, grandmaD said:

I am tapering from Aropax/Paxil (Paroxetine) since 2011.  10% taper failed after 3 months ending up in hospital with high blood pressure and 3 episodes of severe chest pain.

 

Started at a 5% taper for a year which was unbearable and went to a 2.5% taper.  This was somewhat bearable but still horrendous for the most part.  I never had what people call “windows”.  My whole life changed completely, becoming like a disabled person with up to 20 different symptoms.

 

 

When I realised how long a 2.5% taper would take, I upped it to 5% and that was a brutal mistake, so I realised that despite 2.5% being so bad, was probably a bit better than 5%.

 

After 4- 5 years (2015/2016) I began to see some signs of improvements in 8 of my symptoms.  Then, suddenly I began to deteriorate into a hell worse than the 5% taper and didn’t have a clue why.  It took me a couple of months and I discovered I had been switched unknowingly to a genetic brand!  It has taken a good 2 years to stabilise from that.

 

 

I have tried at times to go faster by dropping more and that was definitely brutal.  I tried a BrassMonkey slide which was also brutal.  I tried to go faster by tapering after 4 weeks or 6 weeks intstead of 8 weeks and that was brutal.  The best I ever found was a 6 MONTH HOLD in which case I started to find it more bearable after week 20.  I did this every year for a couple of years.  I haven't done it this year and I think I probably need to do it again, but hate the idea of it taking so much longer...

 

I now have other symptoms worsening, like constant chest ache and pain.  I have had that all along, but not every single day like now. 

 

I really think my nerves are shot and that is the bottom line of what affects my muscle weakness, spasms and cramps, aches and pains.

 

I have constant "hi stress" feeling which is very distressing.

 

How are you guys now?

Dear grandmaP

 

thanx for being honest.what do the mods say about your condition?

do you rake other drugs, too?

 

i am so sorry that you have to go through this.

 

tanha

[wanttosurvive]

On 2/8/2017 at 8:28 PM, Webhead21 said:

I'm wondering has anyone every recover the muscle mass they lost after lossing it from withdrawals? Does your body return through some process of some kind?

 

Hi, I know it has been some time but I have just recently read this thread and want to express my own experiences. 

 

Before WD I was very active, regularly exercising, indeed was in a pretty good shape........lots of things happened thrown into the WD hell.......and now I am over 13 months off drugs. Currently I have extreme fatigue, extreme muscle weakness. The only exercise I can do is walking.....definitely missing old days...

 

But what I want to tell is that, for the last couple of weeks, my overall muscle mass has increased. Durning WD I have not only lost weight but also lost muscle mass. I have just recently gained 1 or 2 kgs. But it is not about weight, it is about overall shape. Now when I look pictures which were taken 6-8 months earlier, I can easily notice the diffrence. I was weak with thin arms, legs, sitting with a slouch. Now when I look in the mirror, I can see biceps, triceps, etc...this is encouraging.

[neroli]

On 12/24/2018 at 5:04 PM, grandmaD said:

I really think my nerves are shot and that is the bottom line of what affects my muscle weakness, spasms and cramps, aches and pains.

 

Hello grandmaD

 

How are your legs now?  Any better?  Mine seem to be getting worse - it's gone from feeling lead-legged and weak, to now having crampy-type feelings and tight, aching muscles in my legs.  Walking capacity has reduced significantly  - did a 30 minute, slow, walk today and now my legs are 10++ on the aching, stiff scale.  Some days I get a bit of a let up but overall it's worsening.

 

Wish someone could sort out what's happening.

 

Neroli