Muscle Weakness Treatment in India

Aditya Das, a 58-year-old accountant, had...

Aditya Das, a 58-year-old accountant, had always been active, but over the past six months, he noticed a troubling change. His morning walks became a struggle; his legs felt heavy and wobbly, and he started tripping on curbs. Climbing stairs to his second-floor apartment left him breathless and weak. His wife grew worried as he began dropping utensils at dinner, his grip failing him. After a particularly scary stumble in the office parking lot, he scheduled an appointment. His internist, Dr. Sharma, listened intently and noted the progressive, symmetric weakness starting in his legs. She recommended a comprehensive workup for muscle weakness, starting with blood tests for CK levels, thyroid function, and electrolytes, followed by electromyography (EMG) and a nerve conduction study to differentiate between muscle, nerve, or neuromuscular junction problems. The blood draw was straightforward, but the EMG was an anxious experience for Aditya; the needle electrodes and the electrical pulses were uncomfortable and felt invasive. The results, however, provided a clear direction: they pointed towards a treatable inflammatory myopathy. Aditya started a course of corticosteroids and physical therapy. After three months, his strength improved significantly. He can now walk his dog again and hold his granddaughter without fear. Emotionally, he journeyed from a state of fear and frustration, feeling his body betray him and worrying about losing his independence, to immense relief and cautious optimism. The diagnosis, though serious, was a map out of the terrifying unknown.