Exercise

Hi, Does anyone know if once a leg has started going weaker can the strength comeback with physio or exercise? Also what exercise can you recommend? Thanks x

I’ve experienced strength coming back, with exercise and sometimes by itself and I have seen improvements in muscle strength in my legs since I started on Fampyra (v. expensive walking drug you have to pay for yourself). As for what exercises you should do, I’d say you should try and see a physio and get her to give you exercises because there are lots of different muscles in your legs and you need exercises tailored for the muscles that have weakened.

Very good question and I will be interested in the responses you get. I use the Wii fit which has yoga, balance and exercise elements. This has helped me a bit and you can keep a record of the progress made. I wanted to get back to walking normally but have reached a plateau and can go no further. In my case, more to deal with nerves than muscles which are strong which suffer from spasticity. There is a free DVD available from the MS society presented by Sally Gunnell, which is fairly good.

All the best,

Peter

I have taken up jogging again, after a bad relapse in april last year. My legs felt so tired all the time, but now after a few months i can jog for about 45 mins at a fairly good pace. The strength is a lot better but fatigue has not gone, still better than what it was. Start slow and build up, seeing a physio would be the best place to start. They can create the best exercise routine for your situation.

goodluck,

Darren

I have weakness in both legs, I had physio to help strengthen them but kept falling after doing the exersise so was told by the neuro physio to stop. Just try to keep them. Moving to stop them going completely stiff. I would love to go out walking like I used to, something I really do miss :frowning:

Thanks. I do yoga and love it. Used to run prior to having my lil boy.buy anymore than five mins now I’m dragging my.leg. Ive seen.physio and just in the process of being referred again although I’m pondering over whether to pay privately for neuro physio… Thinking it might bemoney well spent? I’m doing the exercises my physio gave me last time too. I found s good yoga class but have only been once…she made me feel quite disabled by keep referring to my bad leg and suggesting a don’t do certain postures when I knoemy limits and i.like to try things…ive done yoga since 2005. I’m not on any meds but might look up the one suggested above. Thanks again … Its very frustrating, I want to wear my heels again :-(. I’m thinking even a daily walk might help? Oh lastly anyone know anything about them vibration machines? Thanks luv Lisa x

Hi Lisa, Walking definitely helps. About this time last year, or the year before, after a long time lolling around the house at Christmas, I got a scare when I found I could barely walk round the corner to the post office without feeling as if my legs were going to give way. They never actually did, but they ached with tiredness, and felt like they would just crumple. I decided I had to do something about it, and started to make a concerted effort to increase my walking range. It was very slow going and frustrating at first, and I remember posting here to ask if I might actually be making things worse. But I kept at it, and kept at it, and eventually improved to the point I could go up to four miles (probably better than before I was diagnosed!) Due to the recent terrible weather, I haven’t walked properly in ages, and am concerned I may be regressing again. So once it’s safe again - no more ice on the ground - I’m going to have to give myself a real kick up the backside, before I’m right back struggling to get to the post office. Like Darren, I haven’t found exercise makes it fully better. I’m still more weak and tired than I should be at my age. But I’m sure I’m better than if I hadn’t tried. Tina x

What about swimming, excellent exercise.

I spent money on private physio and it was worth every penny (nhs physio a bit of a post code lottery I have realised), but do your homework and make sure you are getting someone who has other ms patients…i did hydrotherapy in pool with a physio and I loved it, a much better workout without the over heating and worrying about falling over, but cost and transport was an issue. Hope you feeling better

Pilates is probably your best bet for improving walking. When I’ve seen a neuro physio, the exercises they give are always based on Pilates exercises. My walking (and sitting & standing) is always better after I’ve done the exercises. You could ask to be referred to a physio who specialised in neurological stuff, or see go to a Pilates class at the gym. If the intstructor is any good, they’ll give easy & hard versions of the exercises. Just make sure to take plenty of breaks, and don’t feel bad about sitting any of them out, as over-tiring your legs isn’t going to help.

Dan

Thanks for all that advice. Thats really useful. Am I okay to swim in a warm pool, not hot just warm? I’m now tryinh to decide whether to risk walking my little boy to school… Its about five to Tenmins down the road?!? X

A while ago, when I was in the same position as you, I used to walk my son to school but carry a fold-up stick in a bag with me. My aim was to walk there and back without using the stick. I mostly used to get there and part of the way back. Having the stick provided me with reassurance, walking was so much easier with it.

If you are interested in Fampyra, there are several threads on this in Everyday Living and Primary Progressive.

hi lisa

hydrotherapy is great. although i don’t like heat i find the warm pool is soothing.

i am very lucky a team called neuro voices runs hydrotherapy in bolton. there is always 2 neuro physios in the pool with us.

unfortunately there is a funding problem (as with most good things) but i am currently on week 3 of a 6 week course.

also try your nearest ms therapy centre. i travel into manchester to mine.

there is a neuro physio and the cost is subsidised.

carole x