This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

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

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,

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.