Our son (age 20) tested positive for influenza A in November 2009. With no treatment, it took months for him to feel better, but since then, he has been experiencing muscle weakness. Having trouble climbing stairs, walking long distances, picking up or carrying anything of weight. He has fallen a few times getting in/out of cars, climbing stairs, etc. Tires easily. He has no pain.
He has been tested for various things, but so far all results have been normal.
Spinal tap, potassium check, MRI of brain, various blood work (of which, I don't understand some of those), etc.
He will finally get to meet with a neurologist in a couple of weeks for an EMG test.
I have been researching myself, trying to find answers, but thought I see if anyone else has had this problem and if you had an answer.
wow i now its unfortunate when you are young and have unexplained symptoms. I recommended when you go to the doctor, ask about muscle biopsy, an emg test and blood test to check the protein creatine level. I have an autoimmune disease called polymyositis. The symptons of your son's sounds like my condition. Good luck on everything.
[ I recommended when you go to the Reumatology that is way i start Ck. for CPK test for polymitosis or dermamytosis Good Luck
Ck side mytosis in mda all info is there
QUOTE=jwood;4281679]Our son (age 20) tested positive for influenza A in November 2009. With no treatment, it took months for him to feel better, but since then, he has been experiencing muscle weakness. Having trouble climbing stairs, walking long distances, picking up or carrying anything of weight. He has fallen a few times getting in/out of cars, climbing stairs, etc. Tires easily. He has no pain.
He has been tested for various things, but so far all results have been normal.
Spinal tap, potassium check, MRI of brain, various blood work (of which, I don't understand some of those), etc.
He will finally get to meet with a neurologist in a couple of weeks for an EMG test.
I have been researching myself, trying to find answers, but thought I see if anyone else has had this problem and if you had an answer.
Have you been on the CDC site to what they have to say about this? I got it when I was a kid in the 70s and was not my usual self for nearly 2 yrs. It could be the flu itself did this or triggered something else. YOu are at least on the right path ruling things out. I am sorry.
I was wondering if you ever found out what was wrong with your son. I'm a 22 year old male and about 2 months ago I got intestinal flu. Since then I've had similar symptoms to your son... Extreme muscle weakness, stiff legs if I walk too far, difficult ascending stairs. I used to do cardio and weight training at gym before I got sick, and could easily bicep curl 14kg weights. Now I stuggle to pick up anything that weighs more than 5kgs. I had blood tests and they didn't pick up anything. I was hoping you could give me an idea of what it could be before I pursue further tests.
wow i now its unfortunate when you are young and have unexplained symptoms. I recommended when you go to the doctor, ask about muscle biopsy, an emg test and blood test to check the protein creatine level. I have an autoimmune disease called polymyositis. The symptons of your son's sounds like my condition. Good luck on everything.
Thank you, but we now have an answer. MG (Myasthenia Gravis) He takes medicine which helps him with strength and he is doing well.
I was wondering if you ever found out what was wrong with your son. I'm a 22 year old male and about 2 months ago I got intestinal flu. Since then I've had similar symptoms to your son... Extreme muscle weakness, stiff legs if I walk too far, difficult ascending stairs. I used to do cardio and weight training at gym before I got sick, and could easily bicep curl 14kg weights. Now I stuggle to pick up anything that weighs more than 5kgs. I had blood tests and they didn't pick up anything. I was hoping you could give me an idea of what it could be before I pursue further tests.
Thanks
Shaun
Hi Shaun. Yes, we did get some answers. It took 1 year, but finally a neurologist figured it out. It was a simple blood test. Our son was diagnosed with MG (Myasthenia Gravis) It's an auto-immune muscle disease, but it totally treatable. He now takes medicine that helps his nerves to communicate with his muscle and makes him stronger. It wears off like Tylenol and then he takes another pill. He is 21 now and coping well. Learning what he can and can't do, but he can do way more than he can't. I hope you find some answers and I"m sure your parents are hoping for the same thing. Best to you Shaun.
PS. MG has some do with an enlarged thymus. I don't remember if it was an MRI or a cat scan, but it showed that our sons was only a little enlarged. They decided to remove the thymus (it's behind our breastplate) as the chances of MG going into remission is far greater without the thymus.
when you square measure young and have unexplained symptoms. I counseled after you attend the doctor, raise concerning muscle diagnostic assay, AN electromyogram take a look at and biopsy to envision the supermolecule aminoalkanoic acid level. I actually have AN disease referred to as myositis. The symptons of your son's seems like my condition.
I am a 23 year old male and have the same symptoms you described for your son. I originally thought it was due to my recent diagnoses of hemochromatosis but my ferritin levels are fine. I feel like my back to back illnesses triggered this....I had the flu for 2 weeks and a month later a sinus infection.
My symptoms:
1. Significant weakness set in 3 weeks ago.
2. Severe increase in weakness 2 weeks ago (I walk very slow and cannot do a push up despite being a fit/athletic individual.
3. I have no pain and the muscle weakness affects my whole body (legs, arms, core, chest, back, etc...)
The weakness seems to have plateaued but it definitely spikes every now and again and I walk slower as the day progresses.
Muscle Weakness - Unexplained 
