Loss of Strength

jackie1955

I noticed my hands and fingers were losing their strength, I can't even get a top off a child-proof medicine container now and I used to sometimes wear a support bandage over my left knee - but I can't pull it up now!

This morning I felt particularly bad, one of the worst mornings yet. Everything so stiff and painful, and it got me wondering - when I start on medication will any of the strength come back or not?
I know I can do things differently and get aids to help me do things, but I was hoping this was just temporary loss of strength?

The spongy swellings I have in ankles and hands I can cope with, but my left knee is 'killing' me...... I can't put weight on it in the morning nor after sitting for a while, it also feels like I can't straighten it and when I try to (even when lying in bed) it feels like something clicks inside. As if its full of something thats stopping the joint going into the correct position - is this the arthritis? Its scaring me because sometimes my right ankle is very painful too and I think one of these mornings I won't be able to stand up at all! My husband keeps asking if its 'water on the knee' and not arthritis.....

Also, I'm on max Diclofenac plus Cocodamol - do you think the rheumy will give me something stronger to cope with the pain?
I see him next week.

Sorry I've gone on a bit, but i don't know anyone with this illness apart from you good folk

Jackie x

bailey27

Hi
I too get painful knee where I cant straighten it. It feels like i am forcing it beyond what its suppose when i am barely moving the joint. I can also feel crunching on the outside of the knee which isnt painful. I am having arhtroscopy soon on this.
I think what you are feeling in your knee is arthritis, I get it quite often.

lindalegs

Hi Jackie,

I would think it's the fluid on your knee that's creating the pain and bad functioning - have you tried an ice pack, made simply from a bag of frozen peas and wrapping your knee in a damp towel and even a heat pack, although I find ice better for getting rid of the swelling and heat more of a comfort.

Keep your hands moving as much as you can even if it's just by making a tight a fist as you can and then relaxing - this will help with muscle strength and making the joints work. You may find it's the pain that's making them feel weak.

I'm sure you'll feel better once they've sorted out your medication.

Luv Legs

vonski

Hi

Sorry you are having this pain When my knee plays up I put on a knee support with magnets in. I've tried the sports one which is ok but the magnets really seem to help. It could just be wishfull thinking but I wouldn't be without it Does anyone else use these and feel that they work?

Love
Vonski x

joanlawson

Hi Jackie
I get pain in my thumbs which makes it difficult to grasp things. I also have arthritis in my left knee and right ankle like you. The swelling you mention is fluid on the joint I think. I had it drained and an injection on one occasion, but it only lasted 6 weeks and then was as bad as ever.
I have been told that I need a knee replacement, but I'm thinking it over at the moment.
Joan

joanlawson

bailey27 wrote:

Hi
I too get painful knee where I cant straighten it. It feels like i am forcing it beyond what its suppose when i am barely moving the joint. I can also feel crunching on the outside of the knee which isnt painful. I am having arhtroscopy soon on this.
I think what you are feeling in your knee is arthritis, I get it quite often.

Hi Bailey
The symptoms you mention are all too familiar to me. I had arthroscopy last Dec. but afterwards they said the arthritis was much worse than they thought and I will need a knee replacement. Since then, I have found out that arthroscopy isn't recommended for severe arthrits,so wonder why they couldn't tell from the x-rays and MRI scan I'd had. Now I feel that the op. was unnecessary as it hasn't had any benefit to me.
I hope this isn't too discouraging to you, as I know that it does benefit some people, but they are doing less of these ops these days. My advice would be to take it steady afterwards as I found it took longer to get back on my feet than I had imagined. I am 65, so maybe you are younger than me. I hope it is successful for you.
Joan

bailey27

joanlawson wrote:

bailey27 wrote:

Hi
I too get painful knee where I cant straighten it. It feels like i am forcing it beyond what its suppose when i am barely moving the joint. I can also feel crunching on the outside of the knee which isnt painful. I am having arhtroscopy soon on this.
I think what you are feeling in your knee is arthritis, I get it quite often.

Hi Bailey
The symptoms you mention are all too familiar to me. I had arthroscopy last Dec. but afterwards they said the arthritis was much worse than they thought and I will need a knee replacement. Since then, I have found out that arthroscopy isn't recommended for severe arthrits,so wonder why they couldn't tell from the x-rays and MRI scan I'd had. Now I feel that the op. was unnecessary as it hasn't had any benefit to me.
I hope this isn't too discouraging to you, as I know that it does benefit some people, but they are doing less of these ops these days. My advice would be to take it steady afterwards as I found it took longer to get back on my feet than I had imagined. I am 65, so maybe you are younger than me. I hope it is successful for you.
Joan

Thanks Joan, will definately be taking it easy afterwards.
The annoying thing is I got a letter from the hospital today asking me if I had already had the surgery / whether I still needed it.
They explained it was to update records - I beg to differ!

denpen

Hi Jackie
I too have lost my strength in my arms, I found several weeks ago I didnt have any strength and I mentioned it to a GP who just shrugged her shoulders at it, (but I did bambard her with all my symptoms at once), but this was because it was all new to me, so I just assumed it was me being over paranoid and just to get on with it.
So you are not alone.
Denise

masaka

Hi,

When mine started it was really bad in my hands, shoulders, elbows and knees. I struggled to cut up food at one point, and toothbrushes, keys and pens were a bit of a nightmare as well.

My knees seemed to develop some form of contracture which I think was due to me trying to hold it in a less painful position. I had a steroid injection in the knee which helped.

Once I went onto Sulphalazine I got a lot of the strength and mobility back. I took apart some furniture the other week using screw drivers and allan keys. I suffered for it afterwards but I could still manage it.

With luck your will be temporary and resond to medication. I keep aids and adaptations to hand and do try to use them, as they reduce the work load on my joints.

Hope that cheers you up.

Teresa
]

lindalegs

vonski wrote:

Hi

Sorry you are having this pain When my knee plays up I put on a knee support with magnets in. I've tried the sports one which is ok but the magnets really seem to help. It could just be wishfull thinking but I wouldn't be without it Does anyone else use these and feel that they work?

Love
Vonski x

Hi Vonski,

I use a knee support occasionally but mine hasn't got magnets in, it's just a wrap around one from the chemist which is fastened by velcro straps. Mine works for me because it keeps my joint warm and stable and gives me more confidence with walking.

Luv Legs

jimmy77

jackie1955 wrote:

I noticed my hands and fingers were losing their strength, I can't even get a top off a child-proof medicine container now and I used to sometimes wear a support bandage over my left knee - but I can't pull it up now!

This morning I felt particularly bad, one of the worst mornings yet. Everything so stiff and painful, and it got me wondering - when I start on medication will any of the strength come back or not?
I know I can do things differently and get aids to help me do things, but I was hoping this was just temporary loss of strength?

The spongy swellings I have in ankles and hands I can cope with, but my left knee is 'killing' me...... I can't put weight on it in the morning nor after sitting for a while, it also feels like I can't straighten it and when I try to (even when lying in bed) it feels like something clicks inside. As if its full of something thats stopping the joint going into the correct position - is this the arthritis? Its scaring me because sometimes my right ankle is very painful too and I think one of these mornings I won't be able to stand up at all! My husband keeps asking if its 'water on the knee' and not arthritis.....

Also, I'm on max Diclofenac plus Cocodamol - do you think the rheumy will give me something stronger to cope with the pain?
I see him next week.

Sorry I've gone on a bit, but i don't know anyone with this illness apart from you good folk

Jackie x

Hi Jackie,

Sounds very familiar to me with the knees. I seem to have them both drained once every six months with steroid injections the same time. It really helps take care of the problem caused by RA. The pain is just unbearable and will not go away until it's taken care of in this manner.

Good luck.

jimmy77

woodbon

Hi Jackie
I'm really sorry you feel so s.... . The other morning I couldn't straighten my right arm and had to push it with my left hand. My hips have been sore this week, too. I get problems with my hands and have carpel tunnel syndrome, which can happen with arthritis, sometimes.

If I were you, I'd go to see the doctor and see if you can have something for the pain. There are stronger painkillers and also physio, which could be a help, but you need to see someone first. Hope you find something to help you soon. Love Sue

jackie1955

Hi, Many thanks all for your replies - I take great comfort in what you have all said. Especially that once I start on meds I might get back some of my strength

I wondered yesterday if the pain and stiffness just keeps getting worse and worse, and it scared me. Today I can say I don't feel so bad, so I suppose thats how it will be from now on - enjoy the good days and 'bear' the bad :?:

I have worn a support on my knee and on my ankle sometimes; not all the time as I don't want to feel 'reliant' on them.

Glad I see rheumy next week, will keep you all informed

Jackie x

jimmy77

jackie1955 wrote:

I noticed my hands and fingers were losing their strength, I can't even get a top off a child-proof medicine container now and I used to sometimes wear a support bandage over my left knee - but I can't pull it up now!

This morning I felt particularly bad, one of the worst mornings yet. Everything so stiff and painful, and it got me wondering - when I start on medication will any of the strength come back or not?
I know I can do things differently and get aids to help me do things, but I was hoping this was just temporary loss of strength?

The spongy swellings I have in ankles and hands I can cope with, but my left knee is 'killing' me...... I can't put weight on it in the morning nor after sitting for a while, it also feels like I can't straighten it and when I try to (even when lying in bed) it feels like something clicks inside. As if its full of something thats stopping the joint going into the correct position - is this the arthritis? Its scaring me because sometimes my right ankle is very painful too and I think one of these mornings I won't be able to stand up at all! My husband keeps asking if its 'water on the knee' and not arthritis.....

Also, I'm on max Diclofenac plus Cocodamol - do you think the rheumy will give me something stronger to cope with the pain?
I see him next week.

Sorry I've gone on a bit, but i don't know anyone with this illness apart from you good folk

Jackie x

Hi Jackie,

I wanted to mention to you, that I found that many foods like dairy,
especially cheeses really can flair me everywhere. There is alot written on anti-inflammatory diets and it may help you. It did me along with the meds.

Good luck.

Jimmy

vonski

Hi Legs

It's good when you find something that works isn't it

Love
Vonski x

jackie1955

Oh right, thanks Jimmy

(And wouldn't you know it, I do eat quite a lot of cheese, its one of my favourite foods!).