What a day! Doctors messed me about with my prescription so had a run around this afternoon. Luckily I could drive, even though I’m totally wiped out now. Worst of it was I’m getting loads of hassle with left leg. So, when I stepped out of my door I tripped over my own feet as left foot didn’t lift when I went to step on it, it was floppy! What a pain. Luckily we have a flower bed opposite the door, hence a soft landing :s is this what foot drop is? That the foot just flops?
Sorry you hit the deck. I have a bit of foot drop, but the whole of that leg is a bit knackered, so it’s not easy to identify the particular failure mode! The best way I can describe it is that I get (at best) only a 50% response from muscles etc whose job it is to pivot the foot up and reduce the angle between foot and shin. So I trip over things constantly, including my own feet.
Alison
It’s so annoying. It’s gotten worse since the other week when a relapse started and I lost use of my left leg. I’ve got use back but numb areas and muscles not quite doing what they should. :s as I try to lift the foot up towards shin it’s a weird feeling, like detachment kind of? Can’t explain it but weird 
It’s weird all right Beverly, but I think you have summed it up rather well.
Assume you are standing. Lift each knee, in turn, toward your chin. With your left leg, if your heel comes up, but the ball of your foot does not, yes, that is the start of dropped foot. Now, in bare feet, stand normally - if your left big toe points upward a bit, that is “Babinski’s Sign” and that means that some of the problem is in your spine (usually some inflammation pressing on the nerves). So, what do you do next?
1 - You should try to get your neurologist to refer you to the nearest FES Centre. You may prefer a brace on the left ankle, but it can take a long time for an FES referral (and then you may have to fight for the money).
2 - Start thinking about a car with an automatic gearbox. You are going to need one. If you have had a formal Dx of MS, then I hope you have told the DVLA and your Insurance Co - if not, the question of an automatic is one that the DVLA will ask.
3 - Steroids may bring down the inflammation for a while, but you do need to talk to your neuro about this as soon as possible.
Geoff
Sorry dont mean to hijack your thread but I couldnt resist trying Geoffs exercises. I did my left foot first and the ball of foot didnt come up so I thought oh well thats provably normal an my other foot will do the same but the right foot came up at 90deg. Is this a real test geoff? I had though my foot was wrong somehow but maybe not anything testable but there was a clear big difference between feet.
Thanks Doctor Geoff. I did what you said and no, foot doesn’t lift. Tried a few times different ways and still didn’t. Not got a diagnosis yet, my Neuro said if it’s not allergy to Humira it’s one of 3 not so nice things :s waiting for another MRI to see if I’ve more lesions and I’m not due to see him till November .do you think i should phone his secretary to see him sooner?
Hi Beverly and Alice.
Is that a real test? Yes, but it’s not one that a neuro would ask everyone to do.
It is based on the way that my dropped foot started - then the foot started dragging, and then the tripping started.
Another thing that you can try is to sit on a normal dininmg chair, lift your heel off the ground, and start tapping your toes on the ground. If one foot is way slower than the other - or you cannot do it with one foot at all, then it’s the same problem (I got that one from my wife’s Parkinsons Nurse).
And, yes Beverly, if I were you, I would not be waiting until November. If you can cope with a short notice appointment, you can ask to be given a cancellation - you may not get one, but it does show that you are serious. Stress that the dropped/dragging foot is getting worse.
Geoff
Thanks Geoff x
Hi Geoff, so do I understand it that it can be foot drop even if you don’t find that the first test is positive? Mine don’t drop at the front when I lift my knees but the left foot I have trouble walking on my heels - the front doesn’t come up properly, and also the big toe bends down. Leah
Foot drop is my biggest problem! Had my second fall at work today in 2 months (a teacher, but didn’t fall on any small children fortunately !) at what point do they say enough is enough? On the plus side also had a carbon fibre foot splint fitted today to try and help. Hellish uncomfortable but prepared to give it a shot if it helps at all.
Foot drop is my biggest problem! Had my second fall at work today in 2 months (a teacher, but didn’t fall on any small children fortunately !) at what point do they say enough is enough? On the plus side also had a carbon fibre foot splint fitted today to try and help. Hellish uncomfortable but prepared to give it a shot if it helps at all.
What is this thing with the legs? I am a danger to myself I have multiple burn scars on my hands and arms (seriously) where I have toppled forward into the cooker and burnt myself. My OT has said that I am not to lift anything in and out of the oven. My legs stiffen up so badly that I aggrevated an old kee injury and ended up at A & E. If I walk too far my legs go into spasm and at best I need to be rescued or worse I fall over, not a good look. Also, I am a teacher but an FE teacher going over in front of students is not a good look and even worse less funny when they offer to pick you up! Lou
Oh LouLou, I’m the same ! My arms are full of scars and burns. If it’s not a doorway I misjudge, it’s the oven wall, or whatever else. If I garden I have to check my left hand after because it’s lost a lot of feeling I get splinters, cuts that I’m not aware about. What are we like! Xx