This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi everyone! I am just curious if anyone has had problems with ankle pain/weakness. I live in Houston and it should come as no suprise that my symptoms are at their peak! but this particular one is new. If you have dealt with this problem, I welcome any suggestions to perhaps get this symptom under control. You should know, however, that up to this point I've adamently refused to be treated with steroids. I currently take Cymbalta, Lamictal, Levoxyl, Lorazepam(prn) Baclofen(prn), and finally, Provigil. My symptoms came on quickly last May and I was diagnosed with RRMS in Feb. I look forward to hearing from you!

Yes, last year (after 25 years with MS), I suddenly had really bad pain in my right ankle. With each step I took, it felt as if my ankle would break. I saw my family doc, thinking she would refer me to an orthopedic speciliast.

Instead, she referred me to a physical therapist who found that I had a chronic sprained ankle. She said I was spraining it just from the way I was walking and the pressure I was putting on it. The therapist did acupuncture and ultrsound on the ankle, gave me exercise to do at home and recommeded orthotics and shoes with stronger support (i.e. Ugly!) than I was wearing.

All of that really helped. My ankle is still weak, but the shoes, etc. really help. I also faithfully do stretching exercises on my ankle every day. If I don't, the pain is back and the ankle is weaker.

Hope that helps.

Hi -
I agree with the physical therapy approach. Teach the ankle what straight is. That will give you the best chance. My ankles are still weak and painful, but physical therapy definitely helps.

Thank you for your feedback.. it's odd to me how it comes and goes. Sometimes I feel like my body is playing tricks on me. Like all of you, I've read, researched, and discussed with docs about ms and all the complications I could possibly encounter. I have to say that pain in the ankles, knees, and hips were'nt at the forefront of the findings. During the diagnostic process I was tested for RA, vitamin deficiences, ana levels, (which I believe is in relation to sle), and lyme's disease with all results being neg./normal.

hey there, just so you know 'normal' results are a mean trick.

at my lab, and i suspect it applies everywhere, 'normal' just means you do not have the lowest or highest level ever to have come through your lab's doors. it is a ridiculous form of 'health care'.

when i looked into my uric acid level it came back 'normal'. it also was bang on the ms average for uric acid (194) and well below the optimal level seen in healthy controls (290-300). the 'normal range' is 140 - 360.

when i looked into my zinc levels they came back deficient at 8.6. at that time, the lab's normal range said 10-19.5 or so. when i came back to monitor my progress at fixing the deficiency, i had taken too much and was up to about 20.5. i noticed at the time that the range had changed to 8.6 - 19.5. i bet you now the normal range at my lab is 8.6 - 20.5.

how. utterly. stupid.

if you post a list of your nutrient test results i'll tell you whether they are in the 'healthy controls' part of the 'normal' bell curve, or in the 'ms patient' part of the 'normal' bell curve.

FYI, i suspect vitamin D and mineral issues when it comes to joint pain. i'll check back for a couple days to see if you've entered any results

HTH!

jimmylegs

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my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Thank you for your input Jimmylegs.. you know, they did'nt even check my mineral levels! I'll gladly give you what I have at this point, and will definitely be pushing for additional bloodwork to check for mineral deficiency.

vit. B6: 8.8
vit. B12:615
folate: >21.7
sed. rate: 4
RA: 3.4
ANA: <1:80
B1 (whole blood) 63.3
Glucose: 117
ANNA IFAscreen, reflex<1:10


I also have a gene mutation; A1298c aka methylfolate def. I've been taking Deplin for a yr. and it seems to be wnl now.

I obviously need to consult with my doc. on more tests.. whatever it takes to alleviate these symptoms if at all possible!

In addition, I started taking Magnesium Chelate, B12, fish oil, and prenatal vit. (not preg. just thought it would be a good idea?). I've been trying to keep up with your posts on vitamins to take for different aspects of this disease.

sidenote: I recently found out that my biological father died from complications from a neurodegenerative disorder. As this was second hand information from my cousin, I've yet to find out specifically which one..

Again, thankyou

hey there, no probs

do you have units for those numeric results by any chance? i mean, i can see that either way it appears to look great good for b12.. but i definitely need units for some of the other stuff. it's a good start but there are some key tests missing there for sure!

jl

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com