# Stiffness **URL:** \ **Category:** Everyday living\ **Created:** [6 April 2012 10:36 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230 "2012-04-06T10:36:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![patrick.b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@patrick.b](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/patrick.b)\ **Post date:** [6 April 2012 10:36 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230/1 "2012-04-06T10:36:46Z")
Hello, I’ve just read a number of posts about fatigue. I definitely do not have that problen but there is another one. I always feel very stiff, worst when I wake up. I do exercises to try and keep me supple especially my legs but its definitely getting worse. I can no longer run or take stairs two at a time. My hamstrings are getting tighter and my thighs just generally ache and that is all the time. Does anyone else get incredibly stiff and have you any solutions? Thanks ~Patrick ---
**Author:** ![goldrat](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/mssociety/user_avatar/forum.mssociety.org.uk/goldrat/32/1020_2.png) [@goldrat](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/goldrat)\ **Post date:** [6 April 2012 11:28 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230/2 "2012-04-06T11:28:40Z")
Hi Patriclk, Same as you, I get very stiff calves - can’t run etc. . Take baclofen and do stretching exercises given to me by physio. Good one is to stand on the edge of a stair facing the stairs (bottom one for safety) and shuffle to your toes. The weight of your body will stretch your leg muscles. Either both feet together or one at a time. Hold for count of 30 relax then repeat. Other one is doing lunges -pushing legs out to the back one at a time. Good luck, Jen ---
**Author:** ![patrick.b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@patrick.b](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/patrick.b)\ **Post date:** [9 April 2012 06:11 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230/3 "2012-04-09T06:11:24Z")
Hi, Yup take Baclofen already, essential as is Gabopentin. Standing on the stairs sounds good but my balance is very poor. I will try it out anyway. Stiffness, its horrible, worst is in the morning after a good nght’s sleep Thanks for that, Patrick ---
**Author:** ![greenhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@greenhouse](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/greenhouse)\ **Post date:** [9 April 2012 09:52 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230/4 "2012-04-09T09:52:50Z")
Hi, yes I get this, and I too take Baclofen and Gabepentine, but I have to keep increasing my dose, my physio supllied me with a roll to place under my knees when I go to bed this is to help stop the legs getting stiff in the night it does help a little, and yes I do exercise when I can, not much help, sorry, take care, Jean x ---
**Author:** ![Bouncy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Bouncy](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Bouncy)\ **Post date:** [9 April 2012 12:23 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230/5 "2012-04-09T12:23:34Z")
I’m afraid to say that this is essentially all part of having MS! if you find a solution and share it you will have many eager listeners 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Upytupy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@Upytupy](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Upytupy)\ **Post date:** [9 April 2012 13:51 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230/6 "2012-04-09T13:51:14Z")
Hi Patrick, stiffness is my worst problem, my balance is also very poor. As to stiffness, yes it is worse when I get up, that’s one of the reasons I’m not keen on long lies, the longer I am in bed the worse I get so better to get up and get going! I find it hard to step into the shower first thing in the morning (a shower is the first thing I do every morning) and my husband helps me, yet later on in the day if I am cleaning the shower I can step into it ok on my own. My stiffness is always there to varying degrees, I take sativex which takes the edge of it and takes the tight feeling out of my legs but sativex makes me high so I don’t take it when I am working or driving. I didn’t get on with baclofen, it makes me too sleepy. Cheryl:-) ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [9 April 2012 14:29 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/stiffness/1230/7 "2012-04-09T14:29:06Z")
Hi Patrick Have it also I try to keep mobile but like you it is getting worse , also medication for MS only made me like a rag doll and it made me fall more so no more medicines . I hold onto the stairs amd try and get something to hold onto on the flat but like what has been said any cures very welcome trish