This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[bethanylynn]

How do you go to a gym/run/walk ANYTHING when you can't walk a straight line? I MUST appear to those on the outside to be FOREVER walking in a drunken stupor.

My daughter goes to school a half mile from home and we walk (we're too close for bus service). By the time I get home (my walk is a mile--- there & back), I'm done!!! Forget about asking me to do ANYTHING that requires more than 5 minutes of standing.

How on Earth do you try to stay in one piece? I know I feel better after going to the gym or a long walk, I but I can't manage those things. At the same time, I know I'll feel even WORSE physically & emotionally if I put weight back on.

Has anyone fought these isues successfully? HOW???

Thanks!

Bethany

[Toyoterry]

I've also had a terrible time with balance. I began walking at night for two reasons, it was cooler and no one could see the drunken way a was walking. The stationary bike is one answer for balance. Lifting weights was another for me. My stiff muscles have led to a torn meniscus in my knee and torn ligaments in both elbows. I haven't given up just toned down the intensity.
Terry

[carolew]

Dear Beathanylynn
You could use just a cane to help walk back from the school. Then you won't look like a drunk...
Keep exercising!! just keep going. Maybe a whole mile is too long for you now but if you practice, you will increase your endurance and who knows, you may even help rebuild your wasted or weaker muscles and regain some lost functions. You have to have perseverance.
There specific exercises for the balance and they work.
Don't give up... Carolew

[REDHAIRANDTEMPER]

hey there everyone,
so i had a bad batch going on there but am almost back to myself....well to my old self after having the first signs of problems....am just getting abck up with the energy and things like that...man i know what ya are saying..have no energy for anything but know will be better if i keep moving and groving as my boys tell me.....move it or lose it as my 13 yr old tells me....its hard thats for sure but i know i will get stronger and feel better if i keep exercising.....so do as me....wake up and say to yourself i will take a 15 min walk or i will do some small weights...something like that...of course i also have the problem that i dont do it also....but more of the time i swear i do......just keep moving...

chris

[superman]

Hello
Why don't you just go swimming?
This has a double positive effect: it helps you keeping fit or even fitter and as well it calms down your inflamations if the water is cold enough(under 22 degres celius, sorry i don't know in fahtrenheit)
After going swimming in a "cold"(but not frozen) water i walk with much more balance, which gives me almost the feeling to be totally "normal.
I know not everybody is as aquaphile as i, but it reaally worths a try.
Personnaly walkking does not help me much or even hurts more.

[NHE]

This has a double positive effect: it helps you keeping fit or even fitter and as well it calms down your inflamations if the water is cold enough (under 22 degres celius, sorry i don't know in fahtrenheit)

Just for fun... °F=(9/5)°C+32

[jimmylegs]

hi all i have found a group to go do swimming with finally, i had not done laps since before my dx attack in jan 06. so i went to the pool and tried to swim hard, and as soon as my hands crapped out i stopped, only 250m in. next time we went, i thought okay just try to beat 10 laps. so i started in. and my hands went floppy but this time i just said oh whatever and kept going, took more breaks, and made it to 600m! no balance issue whatsoever. the only time i had balance issues with water is when you're in waves for a long time and then climb out and lose the anti-grav and all. not a big deal in the pool eh! give it a try if you can beth, it's great!

[Wonderfulworld]

Hi Bethany
I had a severe relapse 9 years ago that got me diagnosed. I had very poor balance and used a crutch for months afterwards. I had to sleep 15 hours a day, I was asleep more than awake. I felt I'd never be right again.

I read an article about gentle movement exercise being good for improving balance so I took all the cushions off the chairs in my sitting room, laid them all around me on the floor, and tried some simple exercises in privacy. Even when I feel over I tried again. Gradually, over time my balance slowly improved. It felt "wrong" when I tried a lot of the exercises, but I think you can slowly get some of your balance back.

Found this excellent free guide online to exercising with MS by the UK MS Trust, hope it helps. http://www.mstrust.org.uk/downloads/exercises.pdf

I also went swimming once a week and found it great.
Hope you are feeling a bit better soon.