This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Ok, now I'm really freaking out! My husband bought us two bicycles yesterday to see if we could start getting some enjoyable "exercise" together. I knew my legs were too weak to try last night so I hated to but had to pass on trying out my new gift.

Today I have had a weird sensation from the base of my head all the way down my spine to my tailbone. It feels sort of tight, achy, numbish? Hard to describe!

Well, I just now went out (before he gets home) and tried to ride my new bike. My legs were "ok" but my upper body shook so badly and I couldn't keep the front wheel straight. Turns of any kind were IMPOSSIBLE ... the minimal balance needed to make a turn put my whole upper body, arms, everything into a shaking fit and I was afraid I was going to wreck the bicycle. SO NOT GOOD!

I left a message for my neuro just now but being so late in the afternoon, I probably won't hear anthing until tomorrow.

So, what did the Neuro said to you?

Well, she was a Nurse Practicioner for the General Neurologist I was seeing and didn't have a whole lot of anything useful to say. I have since stopped seeing her and have an upcoming appointment scheduled with an MS SPECIALIST for February 5th! Looking forward to seeing someone who really knows what they are doing and is an expert in the field!

You know that saying "it's just like riding a bike"? Well not so much with MS! It took me a long time to get my balance back when riding my bike. And you are right, turns were almost impossible and really scary! So initially I made sure I rode mostly in a straight line and would actually get off my bike and walk it if I need to make sharp turns. But eventually over time my balance improved and my bike riding skills returned. My advice is to keep at it even if it is a little bit at a time. It will get better as you gain more strength.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this as well. I thought I was crazy at first! I was like, "I thought you never forgot how to ride a bike?". I finally got to where I would do what you said and just stay straight and slow down and get off if I needed to make a turn. Thankfully we ride at our city's Greenway so it is a long paved path that goes along the river so it is fairly easy to go for a while. The only issue is that there are some hills that I simply CANNOT make it up, so we have to stop and turn around or walk them very slowly. Haven't been biking though in months now. Really do want to start back once the nice weather is back to stay!