I see muscle weakness mentioned here and there, but almost as an aside. I'm wondering how much it plays a role in ME/CFS. For me, it's one of my biggest complaints and the most limiting when it comes to enjoying day-to-day activities and life in general. I'm wondering if I'm alone in this?
I start out okay, say, for the first few stairs on a flight of steps, then my legs just rapidly get weaker and weaker. Some days I can barely make it to the top of one flight, some days I can walk up and down several times before it hits. Same with my arms..I can put away a few dishes or start dinner with few concerns, then I have to be careful because I suddenly may not make it with a hot dish from the oven to the counter or be able to pour water from a tea kettle. It's a dramatic and sudden decrease in strength that persists. Also, when I over-do badly enough, my baseline gets worse and worse, as I'm experiencing the last few weeks.
I might even go so far as to say this is my #1 symptom, in addition to extreme general exercise intolerance.
For context, I completed a full century ride (100 miles on a bicycle) just 18 months ago, and this prolonged weakness and exercise intolerance began 9 months ago, so, like many of you, I can safely rule out de-conditioning. I had a previous episode of similar symptoms 4 months before the century, but recovered well enough to complete the ride despite gall bladder surgery thrown into the mix during that time also. Still just trying to figure this whole thing out and wanting to know if this fits the ME/CFS big picture.
I start out okay, say, for the first few stairs on a flight of steps, then my legs just rapidly get weaker and weaker. Some days I can barely make it to the top of one flight, some days I can walk up and down several times before it hits. Same with my arms..I can put away a few dishes or start dinner with few concerns, then I have to be careful because I suddenly may not make it with a hot dish from the oven to the counter or be able to pour water from a tea kettle. It's a dramatic and sudden decrease in strength that persists. Also, when I over-do badly enough, my baseline gets worse and worse, as I'm experiencing the last few weeks.
I might even go so far as to say this is my #1 symptom, in addition to extreme general exercise intolerance.
For context, I completed a full century ride (100 miles on a bicycle) just 18 months ago, and this prolonged weakness and exercise intolerance began 9 months ago, so, like many of you, I can safely rule out de-conditioning. I had a previous episode of similar symptoms 4 months before the century, but recovered well enough to complete the ride despite gall bladder surgery thrown into the mix during that time also. Still just trying to figure this whole thing out and wanting to know if this fits the ME/CFS big picture.