I’m roughly 10 years down the MS line and don’t use any walking aids and also a bit stubborn, although sometimes people say to me, “I forget that you have MS” so keep the faith…
I’ve been diagnosed almost 5 years now and have had to use a stick this year thanks to 2 severe relapses. However I am now managing short distances without the stick (about 20 to 30 minutes gentle walking if there are no hills) and only use the stick when I begin to feel uncomfortable or unsafe. It’s there if I need it and it’s not as upsetting as I thought it would be! Life goes on and it’s still good. I still get out and still lead a fairly normal life (normal is soooo over-rated anyway lol)
Tracey x
hi
i have been diagnosed 5 years and originally used a stick but this was mainly due to foot drop causing me to fall and break my big toe. i keep the stick and use it if i’m feeling very unsafe but this isnt very often.
i’m considering getting a light weight wheelchair so that if i go out i wont wear myself out within the first half hour.
got appointment with ms nurse in january and i will talk it through with her.
honestly, its a matter of making adjustments as needed and remembering that they dont have to be permanent.
carole x
Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me with your situations. I won’t write myself off just yet. Xxx
Not quite as bad as reddevilade.
Dx in 2008, using a stick in 2009, using two sticks and FES in 2011, just given up the sticks for 3-wheel rollators (one in car, one for house).
Neuros are now discussing possibility of change in Dx to SPMS.
Geoff
Hi Anon
Firstly, I do completely agree with Tina; she could not have put it more succinctly.
For what it is worth though: I was officially diagnosed in June 2013 following my first significant relapse which lasted 3 months and affected my whole left side. Although I was walking awkwardly and was quite unstable on my feet, I did not need a stick. Muscle spasms and spasticity were my biggest issues. However, it transpires that I have actually had RRMS since 1995. That year I had something very similar but far less severe and it lasted only four weeks. I had an MRI scan and told to go away and get on with my life. I was given no diagnosis at age 26. I kept the MRI scan though and continued with my endurance training and long distance running events and forgot all about it until this year aged 44.
This year and having maintained my health and fitness for all that time, the relapse I experienced in June was fairly major and the MRI scan was fairly grim viewing. However, I am now pretty much back to normal, following my Campath treatment. I have been back in training for a couple of months now and looking forward to my first Half Marathon in March since diagnosis.
Everyone’s MS journey is unique. I thank God that I am still very fit and active, but constantly wonder what I could have ended up like, had I not been so fit and healthy.
Tracyann xx
Hi I agree this disease can’t be predicted but I am always interested in other people’s stories. I had my first relapse in Feb 1999 and was off work for 8 weeks. The neuro I saw thought demyelination but pre Google I wasn’t at all aware of the implications. When I could walk and use left leg again I went back to work and thought no more of it. Fast forward through the pregnancy years with no relapses until 2008 when I had another incident involving right leg numbness, tingling etc. Cleared up quicker but not complyetely and after numerous investigations (trapped nerve, Lyme disease etc) was finally diagnosed in 2010. Ostrich style coping for approx 2 years has now come to an end with gradual worsening of symptoms but no relapse. I don’t use any walking aids (?yet) but can foresee the day when I’ll need a stick to support my right leg. My right arm however gets extremely fatigued so I’m not sure if it will even work! One day at a time… Hope this helps. Ann xx