Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 02.06.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Does RA cause withering limbs??

Sorry if I sound ignorant but I only got this condition last year.My question is the RA hit my right knee first which was swollen for along time. Now with aspiration, steroid and sulfa I can walk a little bit better and the swelling has gone down. What I have noticed though is from my knee right to my ankle the leg looks a lot smaller than the other, and looking down at my legs, they are very noticably odd, even the ankle has shrunk and I had no discomfort there. I think the right one feels shorter than the other when I walk as well. Also my neck has started playing up real bad and what feels like the top of my spine could this be RA or seeing as I have scoleosis anyway could that be the connection?
I read this site regularly and know a lot of you out there know tons more than me about all this.
I am very grateful to you.
Angela
reply | back to forum

Date: 02.06.2009
From: Jill

Subject: Re: Does RA cause withering limbs??

Hi Angela

What has probably happend, and I say this thru experience Not becos im a Doctor Like BLOGGER o n here lol... anyway, I cldnt walk properly for a few years, and becos of the lack of proper walking and exercise I have lost the Inner quads inside top of knee, they have both become weak, I was told due to the fact the muscle havnt been used correctly, the first time this happend my Surgeon(knees) at the time said go to a gym, work for 6 months doing knee extensions etc, at that time bck in 2003/4 I could do that, and I managed to build up that muscle again, however, they have gone again, becos i cannnot go back to the gym now, due to getting far far worse than in 2003, I think thats what mb u r describing here.... U must go back and see your Rhumatologist, explain what u have noticed, and mb he can come up with a goood suggestion for u...If u have R.A. then mb its now affecting your neck, ask for MRI scan for that, see whats happening.... My daughter has Scoleosis also, how bad is your back, is it very bent? or just slightly?

take care
Jill x
reply | back to forum

Date: 02.06.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Re: Does RA cause withering limbs??

Thanks Jill, I see what you are saying and it does sound right, especially with my calve muscle it has wasted.
My back is not to bent, I am very round shouldered though and I have never held my posture as good as I should have I suppose.
I will ask for an MRI as well.
Thanks again for caring
reply | back to forum

Date: 05.06.2009
From: Jill

Subject: Re: Does RA cause withering limbs??

My calf muscles def wasted when I was in hospital for 6 weeks back in 2002, I also contracted C Difficile...nearly kicked the bucket aswell, due to the fact your blood pressure drops so low...mine dropped to 50/25...intensive care etc... anyway, rambling here again as usual, I will always try and answer questions, if Ive experienced similar... my calf muscles did get stronger, but my leg(inner quads have gone to mush)2nd time thats happenend now... anyway u take care and c your rhummy soon

Love Jill x
reply | back to forum

Date: 07.06.2009
From: BLOGGER

Subject: Re: Does RA cause withering limbs??

Jill I am not a Doctor but experienced in controlling my symptoms through doing research and reading about my condition. You have to find a system that is right for you using experience and trial and error. Doctors and nurses can advise and provide support and do so excellently in my case but the end game is yourself only you knows what works for yourself. I keep 'fit' but muscle wasting is inherent in RA whatever exercise regime you do its only 'keeping up' with the symptoms
reply | back to forum

Date: 07.06.2009
From: Jill

Subject: Re: Does RA cause withering limbs??

Thanks for your input there Bloggs, but I was just really supporting Angela, so she know shes not alone, ive done my research and reading etc... and the only way for my Knees to be realigned is via a horrible painful op. where the surgeon Scrapes offf the ligament off the Shin, realigns it, etc...thats it....done all the trial and error stuff.... \I just live with what is thrown at me now....just glad im on Enbrel,MTX etc... anyway...hope your well
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

3+1=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board