Hi,
this thread got alot of responses in a short time!
I had this conversation with my als specialist last month. I told her that PT did not go well and I Felt no need to go untill we know what is going on and that the PT said I was abnormally weak. She said that she has that happen with PT alot and that they push harder and start with lower numbers so that the improvement is better. Sorry Cindy (ssyd), I dont really buy that, I think my neuro was saying that to explain my weakness.
She went on to say that she has went to some als conferences (she is also in research for als) that they had all these PT guys demostrating about how quick you could break someones hold or what ever and she felt that this was more of a test how strong the PT or Neuro is and not the patient. She trully feels that the tests they do will show 'clinical' weakness. I guess most of us dont have clinical weakness but we have weakness. Mine does alot more than my local nuero. She in addition to all the normal stuff has me open and close my hands untill I cant do it (not just 10x), lay on my back and hold just my neck up untill I cant do it, get on the ground and watches how I get up, has me roll over and shake my paw and bark....just seeing if you were still with me! all that and more.
What is interesting is the last time she took some grip strength measurments for me, I think she wanted to check them for her self. Mine was in the upper 40's, wich I was told is low. My nuero did not seem all that worried that it was low. I had my mom do it and hers was ALOT lower than mine! My mom is a wimp though! My neuro even did it for me and hers was about were mine was......unless she was trying to make me feel better, hmmm
anyways, I KNOW I am weaker. But I feel weaker pretty much all over these days. I have a hard time carring baby as long or cleaning. When I tickle my kids, my hands hurt. My feet hurt if I walk to much. If I shop and hold up a shirt, my arm burns. BUT, I can lift heavy things or move heavy things like once or twice. Not really heavy but heavy for a girl! I cant play tennis or do pilates, so That is weak! I told my neuro that my legs give out or knee's and ankles hurt. Her answer was 'wrap your knees and ankles'. OH, if it was that simple!
My husband is real nice (or sick of me asking if something is heavy) because he will always tell me if something is heavy. We got a new coffee pot and he said 'dont worry if you have problem with button because it is hard to do' or 'that pan is heavy' or ' I have a hard time carry the baby because she is soo big". God Love him!
ps, anyone bought that foil double sided wrapping paper from Costco? Well, that IS heavy! I can hardly hold with one hand and it has been confirmed to be the heaviest wrapping paper in the world by all my family!