# When Relapsing/Remitting takes a down turn **URL:** \ **Category:** Welcome and introductions\ **Created:** [17 April 2023 21:00 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695 "2023-04-17T21:00:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/91b2a8/32.png) [@Mark7](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Mark7)\ **Post date:** [17 April 2023 21:00 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/1 "2023-04-17T21:00:17Z")
Hi I was diagnosed back in 2,000 with Relapsing/Remitting MS. I have had the usual mild symptoms of fatigue, some cognitive issue, bladder and digestive issues etc However after a brief bout of covid around 18 months ago. I found that IO had developed a limp. After a few weeks my leg returned to normal. The problem reoccured around six months ago and has got progressively worse. I have lost a lot of use in my right leg and also seem to have drop/foot. I am finding that I am becomingness mobile everyday and and am increasing anxious about the future. I am a young 64 Have any of you experienced a similar experience of living a reletivly normal life with MS to one of increasing diabilty? Mark ---
**Author:** ![Mark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/91b2a8/32.png) [@Mark7](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Mark7)\ **Post date:** [8 May 2023 17:35 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/2 "2023-05-08T17:35:00Z")
I have drop foot and am awaiting a physio assessment. I am becoming less mobile everyday and my world is becoming smaller. My whole life has changed quite dramatically. I am not sure how to get advice on treatments and what is available to me to help with my situation. Can anyone please advise? Thank you Mark ---
**Author:** ![whammel](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/mssociety/user_avatar/forum.mssociety.org.uk/whammel/32/1005_2.png) [@whammel](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/whammel)\ **Post date:** [8 May 2023 19:15 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/3 "2023-05-08T19:15:10Z")
The best solution to drop foot I have found is the remarkable FES and your GP can refer you for assessment. Physio is a great idea and will help to keep your muscles as strong as possible. [Functional electrical stimulation (FES) | MS Trust](https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/functional-electrical-stimulation-fes) ---
**Author:** ![Mark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/91b2a8/32.png) [@Mark7](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Mark7)\ **Post date:** [8 May 2023 19:26 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/4 "2023-05-08T19:26:24Z")
Thank you for getting back to me. FES is what I was thinking of. I am being booked for an assessment by an MS Physiotherapist and I’ll bring it up with them when I see them. Thanks again, very much appreciated Mark ---
**Author:** ![Mark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/91b2a8/32.png) [@Mark7](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Mark7)\ **Post date:** [23 June 2023 14:41 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/5 "2023-06-23T14:41:15Z")
Thanks Whammel Things have moved on quite a bit. I had a new MRI which showed showed some new scarring and I’ve been re-diagnosed with S.P.M.S I mentioned the FES to my doctor and finally got an appointment which was for the end of September. I messaged an MS Nurse and asked her if I could put my name down for any cancellations and amazingly I did get one for a few days time Thanks for getting back to me and I’ll keep everything crossed for the FES trial Mark ---
**Author:** ![Mark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/91b2a8/32.png) [@Mark7](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Mark7)\ **Post date:** [28 August 2023 15:20 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/6 "2023-08-28T15:20:21Z")
Thank you for getting back to me. I now have my FES which helps so much. I am finding not hard to motivate myself to do the exercises that the physio gives me but I know that it’s important. You really feel like you’re on your own with it which can get you down. I need a more positive outlook but am coping… ---
**Author:** ![CarolineP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/858c86/32.png) [@CarolineP](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/CarolineP)\ **Post date:** [30 August 2023 17:36 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/7 "2023-08-30T17:36:12Z")
Sorry to hear of your difficulties Mark. I was diagnosed with ms in 1991 - I’d had occasional bits of numbness since 1989 but my excellent GP arranged for me to go into hospital and I got an MS diagnosis. Not that I believed it as all I’d heard about MS was how it destroyed lives and what it did to Jacqueline du Pre. I had no symptoms at all at the time. I believed it in 1996 as I had a relapse. Every day for a week, new symptoms appeared. By the end, I felt my ribs were being crushed, my hands were almost useless and I could barely walk. The following week I gradually started to improve. I was back in hospital for a few days. Then straight back to work! That’s the only major relapse I’ve ever had! I got almost completely better - just a slight tingling in my hands. I still went on cycling holidays, did quite a few 10+ mile walks with a couple of people who enjoyed that sort of exercise. I belonged to a gym and loved aquarobics sessions, swam and enjoyed using the cross-trainer. After a time, I noticed my balance wasn’t quite right and eventually I started walking with one of the trekking poles I’d bought for use in the Lake District. That must have been in about 2016. Apart from that I was still fine. I’d moved home, was able to shift furniture around, could mow the lawn, go for walks, travel abroad - just with a bit more care. And then came Covid! The gym closed, no more travel, pubs, clubs and cafes all closed (except a few takeaways). There was little incentive to go anywhere. And that was when ms started to get its claws into me. My balance is a lot worse and I have to use both trekking poles to get around. My right foot runs out of energy really quickly (like a faulty battery). I have to be really careful getting on to buses and I phone through for a buggy ride at main stations. My hands have got worse - lifting kettles of boiling water (I really have to concentrate and only half fill them). Handwriting now a scrawl. I’m 72 now. There are still plenty of things to enjoy. I love reading and attend the local library’s reading and poetry groups. Also their games afternoons and the knit and natter group (I can still knit and am halfway through a jumper). I also like doing jigsaws. I still enjoy short walks, visits to cafes (I love really good coffee), there’s a really good curry house not far away. And I still get out to meet friends or they come to visit. And there’s still all the usual stuff, tv, music, radio, computer etc. I’m also thinking about getting a mobility scooter so I can get a bit further afield. Good luck! And all the best! ---
**Author:** ![Mark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/91b2a8/32.png) [@Mark7](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Mark7)\ **Post date:** [30 August 2023 21:29 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/8 "2023-08-30T21:29:40Z")
Hello Caroline Thank you for your reply. It’s good to hear from others about their experiences with MS. I also used to like to walk and cycle a lot. I would often do a sponsored walk for a charity. I was also a dog walker but I’d only walk one at a time. I am quite restricted now and get constant pains in my leg and feet, I take cbd oil when I can and this seems to dull the pains a bit I was interested in what you were saying about going to the library to poetry events. I’m a bit of a poet myself, I performed for around 12 years and occasionally still do. I stopped when covid struck and then I went into secondary progressive ms I could still perform and intend to at some point I am also a writer of real Western haiku and have two collections on Alba Publishing Ghost Moon and A Portable Universe I’d be happy to send you a free copy of APU if you can send me an address to send it to? It’s not the haiku that we’re all told has to be 5-7-5 for good reason I am 64 and am still getting used to the idea of losing some of my mobility Thanks again Caroline ---
**Author:** ![Mark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/91b2a8/32.png) [@Mark7](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Mark7)\ **Post date:** [19 September 2023 18:00 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/when-relapsing-remitting-takes-a-down-turn/71695/10 "2023-09-19T18:00:04Z")
Thanks for getting back to me JP. You seem to have a very good positive mental attitude which is encouraging. I am adjusting to my reduction in mobility and don’t go out much anymore. I’ve also started to get cramps pains in my legs and feet. This is usually in the evenings? I am awaiting my drug that is supposed to reverse the process to. I was amused by your Benjamin Button comment =;-) thanks