For 1-2 weeks now, I’ve been noticing something more frequently. When I’m walking around, it feels like my left foot isn’t lifting as high as my right. I’m not dragging or tripping over myself, but I keep noticing it with every step I take. I did some amateur measurements, and it appears that there is in fact a small difference in how high I can bend each foot up (a little under a centimeter, with my left foot being lower).
I’m not trying to overreact, but I am still worried. Most people I’ve heard talk about something like foot drop say that it tends to happen suddenly. I’ve also noticed that when I put my legs and feet together side by side, I can lift both feet to near if not identical heights. It’s when my feet/legs are apart while sitting, or during walking that my left foot/ankle feels and looks a bit weaker.
For right now, my plan is to document this and revisit it at a later date to see if the difference is more pronounced. I wanted to ask you all if anyone has had this happen to them, and if what I described makes any sense? If so, what did you do to aid yourself both physically and mentally? Being stuck in limbo has me second guessing myself on whether or not a sensation/symptom is real. Many thanks in advance!
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Very much so! A relapse 20+ years ago left me with this issue, and the bad leg has never recovered its full ability to know where it is in space (‘proprioception’, I think they all it.) The leg ‘thinks’ its lifting further than it actually does lift, and tripping and falling is very much a hazard for me.
@alison100 Thank you for letting me know! I’ve unfortunately been hyperfixated on this for a little while now. I’m trying to stop since I know stressing out won’t help anything, it’s hard to keep positive though.
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with this! How have you coped with it if I may ask? For right now, I’m just trying not to think about it and hoping it will go away. I’m sure this isn’t a great coping mechanism, but it’s all I can afford to do sometimes, especially when at work.
Anyway, it was great to hear from you, and I hope you have a great week!
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My coping mechanism has involved two hiking poles and not lifting my eyes from the ground ahead. It worked for years until very recently.
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My last relapse was the end if August, and it given me foot drop on my left foot plus the left side of my body burns all the timed. I’ve had steroids which has helped the vertigo but nothing else. I’m now seeing a physio which is helping, with a stick and until I get a brace being mindful to lift my left leg up otherwise I trip on my toes. I’ve also noticed a weakness in my left leg when putting weight through it. Until I get the brace I’ve been tapping the ankle which has been helping, there are clips on YouTube on how to do this for foot drop.
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Hi! @animali
Thank you for the helpful advice and tips! I hope that physio keeps helping and your mobility improves! We just have to keep taking things day by day. I’m still not great at practicing that, but when I get down about it, my mind brings up an old poster that was in my middle school band director’s office. It simply read, “Practice makes permanent.”
Even if I’m not perfect, I’ll keep practicing and building up my coping skills until they’re as natural as breathing. I truly hope you continue to feel better physically, and I hope you have a wonderful night!
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Morning imissfeelingokay,
Thank you for you kind words. At present I’m waiting for physio to get a foot brace, she sent exercises to do which are helping with the stick. Which is a relief, I haven’t tripped up as much which is good as it’s not so nice when it happens. Hope things are improving for you as well?
I’m starting treatment today, I’m having my first Kesimpta injection supervised by the industry nurse.
Keep positive it really does help, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. X
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