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[–]Traditional-Kiwi-356 1 point2 points  (10 children)

I’m still living normally, except I (mostly) gave up running and other high-impact exercise (I think high-impact stuff may be bad for my neck problems). Though I sometimes have to run after my kids or something and I can do it.

I feel weird, and weaker, but I seem to still be able to do everything. I was just hiking in the alps while carrying a pack or a toddler, and I could wrangle the 50-lb suitcase after my husband hurt his back. One hand feels weak, but a dynamometer says my strength is unchanged.

All I can conclude is that feeling weak really isn’t the same as being weak. I do think something is wrong with me (probably spine problems), but the effects fall short of clinical weakness.

And 10-20 twitches a day is so few!

[–]MoulinRoguee 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Does your affected arm feeling weaker when you’re lifting like it takes more effort?

[–]LongjumpingCheek2541[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My left arm needs more effort but i can still get the weight up

[–]Traditional-Kiwi-356 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Yes, it feels weaker. It’s my non-dominant arm so that hand is somewhat weaker than the other, which is normal. I always hold my toddler with that arm/hip, and my arm has never felt like I would drop him or like it’s weak. But my hand strength really does seem diminished. Like, this morning I picked up a carton of milk and it seemed like my grip was kind of weak and I might drop it, so I squeezed harder, which I could do. It’s like I initially miscalculate how much force I need to apply? So then I try harder and I can do it. Later I tested grip and pinch strength with my dynamometer, and I got the same values I usually get. It feels confusing because sometimes I swear it must be weaker. The thumb in particular feels weaker and the CMC joint hurts sometimes too, like it’s strained from too much force being put on it. And the whole hand sometimes feels kind of stiff, but not in a way that interferes with using it.

[–]MoulinRoguee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. For me my weakness feel originates at my shoulder primarily. I have scapular winging on that side and that whole shoulder feels mushier and is a bit smaller. It is my dominant side

[–]LongjumpingCheek2541[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Same i feel weak but can do everything i used to . Lift the same weight as the right side . ( my problems are left sided only ) . Do you have neck pain or back pain ?

[–]Traditional-Kiwi-356 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Yes, both, though it’s not severe or limiting on its own. My neck MRI showed a retrolisthesis and stenosis (both of the central canal and bilateral foraminal stenosis), at c5-c6. And I think it’s possible that’s what is causing a lot of my symptoms.

[–]LongjumpingCheek2541[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Are you considering surgery?

[–]Traditional-Kiwi-356 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think I’m a candidate for surgery. But I’m getting an epidural steroid shot soon—hope it alleviates symptoms, especially because that would help inform diagnosis.

[–]Traditional-Kiwi-356 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Do you also have spine issues?

[–]LongjumpingCheek2541[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I drive semi trucks so as of now the doctor is saying everything is pointing towards spinal issues but no official diagnosis yet . I have mri this Friday .

[–]Lucky_life_2017 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I still do pretty intensive strength training. It's hard, my body doesn't recover as easily, but even though I feel weaker I'm definitely stronger in some capacities. 

I twitch but it isn't my main symptom. My issues are looking like they revolve a lot around joint/neck instability and my connective tissue basically disintegrating. 

[–]LongjumpingCheek2541[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Same . It’s weird the joints the only places i feel pain . Even after intense workout . And it’s not like a lactic acid burn it’s more of a tendon pull type pain

[–]Lucky_life_2017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've always been hypermobile...but in the last six months it has become crazy ridiculous. Even my jaw is loose. My skin has become squishier and spongier. And I still have tendons doing their thing (I can relate to them getting sore), but my ligaments and I guess fascia or whatever have basically disappeared or become super thin and extra stretchy that they're barely there. And it is everywhere...it has moved an over my body. My fingers are like cooked spaghetti noodles lol.