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Guest
Guest
Hi,
i'm 50 yr old woman who has had progressive health problems for 3+ yrs. still, no diagnosed. aaah. before then, very active, athletic, no health problems. earliest symptoms: difficulty remaining standing even for a minute - needed to sit, squat down, bend over, take weight off lower legs, lean on counter/furniture, lay down. intermittent weakness in arm/s or hands. at times want to put my arm in sling, hands clumpsy/uncoordinated.
stiffness in limbs as well. often after waking, couldn't move, felt like i needed a crane. walking in am often stiff/zombie like. (strength in mid-section normal). In first year and half, no pain except very sporadically intense muscle pain in neck/shoulders. brushed it off to stress but at time no unusual stressors in my life and this was one brutal pain that would go from base of head/down neck and across shoulders, like having a migraine in yr neck + rigidity and stiffness.
Primary complaints now about 3 yrs in are: leg weakness, pain, stiffness, numbness and pins and needles. i have pain in lower legs on average 4-5 hrs a day. it's terrible muscle pain in calf, or diffuse pain that is symmetrical in both legs, or pain in shin etc. as a result can't find a comfortable position, sitting difficult, best is to be in semi reclined position. sometimes i tightly swaddle my legs in a cotton blanket or if muscle pain is bad wrap Velcro ice pack around lower leg. pain/weakness causes an exaggerated limp at times. drag foot at times. despite significant weakness, I haven't had falls. I can squat down, sit down. I'll sit anywhere. I use can 30% of time.
I also have muscle weakness inside front of neck and throat. it's 24/7 and i'd say very painful 7 hrs a day. feels like anatomy is stiff, rigid, like rigamortis has set in. Tight/stiff muscles. at times difficulty speaking. i can emit volume but too weak and can only say a few words. clear my throat often. while pain is inside front of neck at times i can feel it if i turn my head or touch area. (have had thyroid biopsy, scope of throat, MRI neck etc) problem with neck and throat started about 10 mo ago and at first was pretty minor cough, occasional sore throat. this ain't no sore throat anymore. it's often excruciating. I also have mind boggling pain in inner ears.
when pain began, about 1.5 yrs ago it migrated to different areas of body - almost everywhere except abdomen. the pain currently is only a problem in neck/throat, legs, feet, arms (but usually more fleeting) and upper chest. feeling in upper chest is more like tightness/muscle weakness.
Misc other: difficulty with stairs, muscle tremors when laying down, tongue gets stiff in back like a cramp.
i understand those with PLS have brisk reflexes. I have brisk reflexes sometimes but other times normal. sorry to ramble and be so long-winded. i realize PLS effects people very differently - doesn't any of this resonate. i'm beyond frustrated and lost. i've tried muscle relaxants no effect and currently taking pain meds but desperate to get to bottom of this. haven't worked in 1.5 yrs; can't do much.
thanks!
i'm 50 yr old woman who has had progressive health problems for 3+ yrs. still, no diagnosed. aaah. before then, very active, athletic, no health problems. earliest symptoms: difficulty remaining standing even for a minute - needed to sit, squat down, bend over, take weight off lower legs, lean on counter/furniture, lay down. intermittent weakness in arm/s or hands. at times want to put my arm in sling, hands clumpsy/uncoordinated.
stiffness in limbs as well. often after waking, couldn't move, felt like i needed a crane. walking in am often stiff/zombie like. (strength in mid-section normal). In first year and half, no pain except very sporadically intense muscle pain in neck/shoulders. brushed it off to stress but at time no unusual stressors in my life and this was one brutal pain that would go from base of head/down neck and across shoulders, like having a migraine in yr neck + rigidity and stiffness.
Primary complaints now about 3 yrs in are: leg weakness, pain, stiffness, numbness and pins and needles. i have pain in lower legs on average 4-5 hrs a day. it's terrible muscle pain in calf, or diffuse pain that is symmetrical in both legs, or pain in shin etc. as a result can't find a comfortable position, sitting difficult, best is to be in semi reclined position. sometimes i tightly swaddle my legs in a cotton blanket or if muscle pain is bad wrap Velcro ice pack around lower leg. pain/weakness causes an exaggerated limp at times. drag foot at times. despite significant weakness, I haven't had falls. I can squat down, sit down. I'll sit anywhere. I use can 30% of time.
I also have muscle weakness inside front of neck and throat. it's 24/7 and i'd say very painful 7 hrs a day. feels like anatomy is stiff, rigid, like rigamortis has set in. Tight/stiff muscles. at times difficulty speaking. i can emit volume but too weak and can only say a few words. clear my throat often. while pain is inside front of neck at times i can feel it if i turn my head or touch area. (have had thyroid biopsy, scope of throat, MRI neck etc) problem with neck and throat started about 10 mo ago and at first was pretty minor cough, occasional sore throat. this ain't no sore throat anymore. it's often excruciating. I also have mind boggling pain in inner ears.
when pain began, about 1.5 yrs ago it migrated to different areas of body - almost everywhere except abdomen. the pain currently is only a problem in neck/throat, legs, feet, arms (but usually more fleeting) and upper chest. feeling in upper chest is more like tightness/muscle weakness.
Misc other: difficulty with stairs, muscle tremors when laying down, tongue gets stiff in back like a cramp.
i understand those with PLS have brisk reflexes. I have brisk reflexes sometimes but other times normal. sorry to ramble and be so long-winded. i realize PLS effects people very differently - doesn't any of this resonate. i'm beyond frustrated and lost. i've tried muscle relaxants no effect and currently taking pain meds but desperate to get to bottom of this. haven't worked in 1.5 yrs; can't do much.
thanks!