Nearly "falling shocks" makes me walk normal for x hours ???

[peterjjj]

Hello guys,

I just signed up on this forum, due to that I simply cannot find any topic on the internet in regards of my own weird MS experience. This is the core reason why I signed up on this popular MS forum, and why I am writing here with hope that someone has experienced the same and who maybe have some valid input

Background
I am diagnosed with PPMS, and on a good day I can walk around 100-250 meters before my leg gets this super drop foot where walking is impossible - Also every time I have a flue/influenza my legs a stiff like a plank of wood with 1% body strength left. I suffer of course also from nearly no balance, double vision when my body is tired, tiredness, etc.

The interesting part starts slowly here; As my balance sux.. then when I walk I have the tendency to hit/trip on the pavement with my feet and due to the not existing balance when going down stars I need to hold on something or I am risking of falling.

The strange temporary "cure"
There is a few times where I lost the balance and did not fall but was extremely close to fall (and by some miraculous balancing act I somehow managed not too), where the body got the full "shock" of nearly falling. (note that this only worked when I recovered somehow from nearly falling).

anyway, the weird part is that exactly after this experience I can walk normally for anywhere between 30 min and up to 2-3 hours in one case I could walk normally for a full day. I can't of course provoke this, meaning pretending to nearly falling.. so reproducing this would come with a risk of every time falling down the stairs 90% of the time,

what to do now...
Did anyone here had a similar experience or know or can contribute with any advices on this subject?

I hope and appreciate any input, thanks a lot guys

best regards
Peter JJJ

[Scott1]

Hi,

It suggests the "near fall" shakes up the spine and provides some release till the tightness in skeletal muscles puts you back where you were. So you actually have a window of escape but need to find it more often.
I'd forget your definition of disability and focus on the fact that change is possible. Try a good Pilates instructor and some deep tissue massage to try to make the window bigger. It will take a while but you know a change is possible for you.

Regards,

[reece]

Hi peterjjj,

I too, can relate to the near fall or near accident phenomenon of instantly feeling a short-lived decrease in symptoms. I have always chalked this up to a "flight or fight" adrenaline effect.