I am about to embark in an experiment to find out if rebuilding muscles can help rebuild nervous pathways. My neuro encouraged me to do away with clonus and to persist in exercising my quads even at home in spite of the fatigue.
In fact, I realised a few months ago that my footdrop had then progressed to the two feet and that it was impossible to lift one of my legs even a few cm to clear a step.
I used to do hydrotherapy in hospital to help me exercise my joints. However, because of poor administration and because of the assosciated complacency, I had to forego this important exercise for 3 months now.
The result is obvious: increased spasticity and it is now more & more difficult to clear steps in the stairs. Walking in open space is now impossible without 2 canes or supports to maintain the balance.
I am therefore planning to apply the theories of Bobath and try to do light & very frequent walking exercises to retrain the neural pathways.
My Neuro has also encouraged me to take a protein supplement to help rebuild the muscles.
This is because since my diagnosis, I stopped consuming milk & other dairy products.
I would like to know your outlook on those issues. Please note also that I am planning to treat my MS naturally, without chemicals. Except in cases of paralysis when I have to solumedrol IV for 3 days to recover…
Many years ago - l read an article - l think in the Telegraph - about a young lady with ms who started doing heavy weight training to do exactly what you are talking about. Building new pathways - getting muscles kick started. l am trying to remember her name - Alison - something. Lots of my friends contacted me as they had seen the article and wondered if it would help me. l do use exercise machines at home but have never been to a gym. l have tried using a slendertone machine which sends electrical pulses working the muscles. After using it l find my muscles actually do ‘remember’ they can work - but the effect does wear off fairly quickly. So yes - l do think you are right. Also, from someone on this forum l learnt about Barry Groves - whose diet/nutritional advice is a real eye-opener. For over 40yrs he has been writing about his 'Hunter /Gatherer eating regime. This is for everyones general health - it was just by chance that someone with ms had found it very beneficial. Now we hear about Terry Wahls - who has ms - and her ‘diet’ is a copy of Barry Groves. l have bought his books [secondhand from amazon] and they are doing the ‘rounds’ amongst friends as his way of eating is very important for diabetics - and nearly every family has someone now with diabetes.
l use a power-plate machine and a eliptical trainer plus a healthrider. l love the ‘feel good’ factor you get after just a few minutes workout.
For about the last three months, I have been exercising (weights) and extending my walking range, in spite of fatigue - although I still don’t go to the gym.
I would say strength and stamina have definitely improved - or at least, not got worse so fast - since I started. I also get some mood and confidence benefits - partly from the achievement of having “still” done it, and partly (I guess) from natural endorphins, which are both painkillers and mood-lifters.
However, I’m very sceptical about whether nerves are actually repairing themselves - or at least, repairing themselves any better than the rudimentary duct-tape patching process that was ongoing BEFORE I began exercising.
For me personally, yes, it has (so far) been worth doing. But I look on it purely as making the best of a bad job. Any illness is better borne if you stay as fit as you reasonably can. But I don’t entertain any hopes of actually “reversing” MS nerve damage.
Rebecca & Rubina - I think clonus is involuntary only to a certain extent…
As for me , I realised that I could reduce clonus by either placing the foot flat on the ground and waiting for it to end or by simply voluntarily relaxing the leg. I guess the Neuro wanted me to exercise continuously, in spite of the clonus…
Campion & Anitra. Thanks for your comments.
Campion, I think the power plate can also be used for neurological rehabilitation. It is precisely one of the mysterious techniques I plan to use in the absence of hydrotherapy.
Anitra, well I think we need to give time to the nervous system to repair itself. Until a nerve is completely atrophied, I believe we can still hope for the best. We do not have much of a choice but to remain positive. I strongly believe that rebuilding muscles is the stepping stone towards nervous reconstruction. This is what I want to achieve.
l bought my power-plate from idealworldtv - l have used it regulary for 5yrs. lt cost me £149 - but l have seen they now have some that are about £89. l do a series of exercises that are based on yoga/pilates.
The machine is very neat - easily pushed behind settee.