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Muscle atrophy

Posted by stonemountain47 @stonemountain47, Apr 10 1:16pm

4 years ago my thigh muscles began to slowly weaken. I went to a near-muscular doctor for evaluation. She performed every test she could think of including EMG/NCV, 15 vials of blood drawn, and genetic testing looking for a cause. One thing she did not do was a muscle biopsy.

15 months ago my muscles began to deteriorate more rapidly forcing me to walk shorter distances. Then when the distances grew shorter and shorter I began to use a cane, but could not walk even 2 blocks. Now I use forearm crutches just to walk a few hundred feet in my yard or when I go to a store.

I'm going to a new near-muscular specialist in a week What should I be asking? What are the chances that the muscle weakness can be reversed? A couple of my cardiologists offered a suggestion that I might have late-life Muscular Dystrophy. I am 78 years old.

Thanks for thinking about this and giving suggestions.

Bill

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Apr 10 2:02pm

@stonemountain47 My first thoughts about muscle atrophy was wondering if you had a spine issue with nerve compression. I also see that you have had heart failure and perhaps this affects your physical strength as well. Have you tried physical therapy?

REPLY
stonemountain47 | @stonemountain47 | Apr 10 4:20pm

I've seen both neurologists and neurosurgeons and had MRI's done 4 times over the last 5 years. They could find no spine issues other that peripheral neuropathy affecting only my feet.

My heart failure has been resolved, Afib is gone, and still my weakness and breathlessness continue. I have had PT as well without any muscle improvement. For a couple of years I was swimming a mile per day, 3 days per week and doing weight training 3 days a week. This past fall I had to quit both because my muscles got too weak to do either for more than 10 minutes or so.

Perhaps the euro-muscular team I'm going to see at Oregon Health Sciences University will find something helpful.

Thanks for your questions.

REPLY
2 replies
artemis1886 | @artemis1886 | Apr 10 5:54pm

Are you talking about a neuromuscular neurologist?

REPLY
1 reply
dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Apr 11 8:06am
In reply to @stonemountain47 "I've seen both neurologists and neurosurgeons and had MRI's done 4 times over the last 5..." + (show)
@stonemountain47

I've seen both neurologists and neurosurgeons and had MRI's done 4 times over the last 5 years. They could find no spine issues other that peripheral neuropathy affecting only my feet.

My heart failure has been resolved, Afib is gone, and still my weakness and breathlessness continue. I have had PT as well without any muscle improvement. For a couple of years I was swimming a mile per day, 3 days per week and doing weight training 3 days a week. This past fall I had to quit both because my muscles got too weak to do either for more than 10 minutes or so.

Perhaps the euro-muscular team I'm going to see at Oregon Health Sciences University will find something helpful.

Thanks for your questions.

Jump to this post

@stonemountain47
Have you had a brain MRI? When was your last cervical and lumbar spine MRI?

Have you seen a vascular/vein specialist to check for peripheral artery disease? Have you had recent extensive bloodwork to check heart/liver/kidney function and vitamin/mineral deficiencies/toxicities? How are your iron levels and red blood cells/oxygen levels? How is your hydration (do you drink plenty of water)?

REPLY
dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Apr 11 8:08am
In reply to @stonemountain47 "I've seen both neurologists and neurosurgeons and had MRI's done 4 times over the last 5..." + (show)
@stonemountain47

I've seen both neurologists and neurosurgeons and had MRI's done 4 times over the last 5 years. They could find no spine issues other that peripheral neuropathy affecting only my feet.

My heart failure has been resolved, Afib is gone, and still my weakness and breathlessness continue. I have had PT as well without any muscle improvement. For a couple of years I was swimming a mile per day, 3 days per week and doing weight training 3 days a week. This past fall I had to quit both because my muscles got too weak to do either for more than 10 minutes or so.

Perhaps the euro-muscular team I'm going to see at Oregon Health Sciences University will find something helpful.

Thanks for your questions.

Jump to this post

@stonemountain47
Have you had any ultrasound of your muscles or MRI of hips/pelvis and legs/muscles to check for soft tissue injuries/tears/edema?
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/muscle-weakness

REPLY
1 reply
stonemountain47 | @stonemountain47 | Apr 11 11:19am
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@stonemountain47 Have you had any ultrasound of your muscles or MRI of hips/pelvis and legs/muscles to..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

@stonemountain47
Have you had any ultrasound of your muscles or MRI of hips/pelvis and legs/muscles to check for soft tissue injuries/tears/edema?
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/muscle-weakness

Jump to this post

I have not had the ultrasound that you asked about. I will ask the neurologist next week.

Thanks.

REPLY
stonemountain47 | @stonemountain47 | Apr 11 11:22am
In reply to @artemis1886 "Are you talking about a neuromuscular neurologist?" + (show)
@artemis1886

Are you talking about a neuromuscular neurologist?

Jump to this post

Yes.

REPLY
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