Tried posting about this in the before diagnosis forum but no reponse so hope you wont mind me raising it here. I’ve recently noticed my left arm giving out unexpectedly. My left leg has done this for some time, as if someone nudged the back of my knee. A similar problem in the arm is less obvious since it is not typically under load when standing, except for example when taking a crawl position on hands and knees. In this position I now sometimes experience the left arm giving way causing a collapse on one side. Seems weaker when I push myself back up. Asume this is the equivalent problem. Anyone else know what I mean?
hi bob
yes i know what you mean. i tried to build strength back into my arms and legs by going to the gym.
it worked a treat for a couple of years but nowadays it seems to make things worse.
one thing about this condition is nothing stays the same!
anyway bob, speak to your physio and good luck,
carole x
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Hi - I have exactly the same thing, but when people ask me how I’m feeling I usually just say left - as in I experience weakness and pain down the left side of my body and extremities.
I haven’t found a good way to build strength or improve the symptoms - mostly because I’m not very good at managing my condition and the fatigue that goes with it, particularly after a full week at work.
If you find anything that works for you, let me know!
Thanks for your comments. I noticed there is a place called the Samson Centre close by (Guildford) which is run by the MS Therapy Group. It has a well equipped gym. I wonder if I could join and use the facility though undiagnosed.
Oh boy, I get this. Been thinking for a while about my symptoms. Pain and numbness on both sides but, my left leg gives way all the time, usually ends up with me on the floor. Reading posts on here, most people seem to have trouble with their left side. Maybe I’ll start a thread to see who are lefties, and who are righties. X
Yes I’ve wondered about that. Maybe the right generally has superior innervation corresponding to the dominance of right-handedness in the population.
My bad side is my right, unfortunately. I am right-handed so would rather it was the left side that had the problems!. Have been seen by a specialist physio and my right side is quite a bit weaker than my left too. It worries me a bit that I might lose function in my right hand. Not dxed yet, though.
I’m right handed my hand has been numb and tingly for years but I’ve recently lost all the power in my right arm and my fingers curl up into a fist unless I press them out flat. Can’t hold anything very well in that hand any more, has any body else had this?
Hi Bob
Sounds similar to me, sometimes I can’t control my left arm enough to hold food still to cut through, let alone getting the fork to my mouth! My left knee will occasionally help me do a great Shakin Stevens impression too and then there’s the comedy of going down the stairs when you want the knee to bend it gives a refusal.
It’s early days yet, but I’m going to the MS therapy centre in Reading for physio and hopefully that will prolong if not improve the amount of control I have in my arm and leg.
I notice you said you posted in “before diagnosis” are you now diagnosed?
All the best.
Paul
Yes , I’ve been diagnosed for years , spms now , first time I’ve ever been on this site tho!! I’m hopeless at all this! Wasn’t sure which one to put it on as it’s a new symptom for me.
Hi Bob,
i have the same problem with my left side. It started with my leg and now has moved on to my arm.
If I have cooked a meal I can’t use my fork. I have to get my husband to cut any meat and then I can eat it.
i count money at work and I have noticed my left arm gets weaker as the morning goes on and £20’s and 10’s. fall out of my hand. Not good.
i have started getting physio from my local neuro rehab centre but I was referred by the hospital. It is early days but hopefully I will get some improvement.
If you have something similar you might want to ask about it.
Mags xx
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I have left side “weakness” my left leg and arm tires quickly and will buckle if pushed too much. I have less control over limbs too.
If your symptoms are getting worse the medics should investigate.
I have been able to keep up the muscular strength by improvised exercises. The MS trust exercises were helpful too.
Re. hand curling up into a fist - my left hand offten does when I yawn.
Since I started patching one of my eye and stopped heavy drinking for a few weeks now(only did it on the weekends), my left hand goes into a fist too and I can hardly open it. Even if I can it goes back automatically.
Could it be that not drinking is making my condition worse? I’m serious about this question.
I do meditation that fixes my double vision for a while, but somehow it’s not that same as when I was a child. 