sorry don, that's the mystery "M" in ms. Mysterical Shit. I understand your falling down. Sometimes I use a cane, but a walker is best as I fall the opposite direction of using the cane. You should see a PT and get evaluated. Your doctor may dx a walker for you with wheels (big ones are best)and hand brakes. If you are lucky, you will get a basket! I don't mean to make light of it, but I was just told myself I won't get any better, and I've had hopes for 7 months now I would be able to walk alone again...nobody can be sure. How long have you been having all these symptoms? maybe if it is a short time period it is a ms flare, maybe it is a ms instability. Nobody knows...sometimes we just have to accept...write me if you want to chat. I hope the best for you and I'm sorry your having a hard time with all your symptoms.

OMG...I've had an awful time with biting the inside of my cheek and the side of my tongue!!! My tongue gets so incredibly sore. And I inhale my food and my saliva. It's so embarrassing. I never dreamed that it could be ms...

im more concerned with the eating aspect of this...sigh...make sure you cut your food into small bites..and chew slowly and throughly...always have a drink....and the rule of the thumb is to have no distractions when eating...grin...but if you have kids in the house or a spouse...throw that rule out.....smile.....you can also get evaluated for your swallowing issues.....and steriods are an option for that one.....speak to your neuro or call them please.....
second on the list...lchoppel is right....you may wish to consider to be evaluated for a walker....it is the safeset route to go...rather than a cast....grin....
i have...cane....drop foot braces...walker....and wheelchair..which im supposed to use full time....(it is great for holding laundry...grin)...and i have an air cast in the closet for when i dont listen ....to my own advice....grin...

good luck
luv heather

Don...it seems that u & I r on the same path! I've been having bladder, stomach/bowel, & balance/coordination issues...periodically...for 3-4 years now. However, here lately ALL these problems have been 10-fold...daily & more severe!

I've been consistently peeing on myself for over 6 months now...& sometimes it seems as if I have no "feeling" down there @ all! Only way I know I'm "voiding" is by the warm feeling running down my legs!

My balance/coord issues r getting worse also. The constant tripping, running into things/ppl, knocking things over, missing door handles when I reach for them (& sometimes FALL), squat down to get something & ALWAYS fall backwards, etc. is enough 2 deal with...now I find myself falling & catching myself more & more!

I've often felt guilty for using the "handicap" stall in the restroom (only 4 last several yrs tho), thinking "someone much worse than me might come in & need this facility...till I almost FELL in the toilet several days ago! Just started "falling to the left"...luckily I had that "Handic
Nap Bar" to grab hold of! Lol! Making Hubbie put one in my shower stall to!

Last night...I woke up & was "peeing" on myself...1st time i've done that in my sleep! Anyways...when I jumped out of bed I used my left foot 1st, then went to step with my right foot & down I went! Was fumbling around in the dark for several min's trying 2 get myself back up (1/2 asleep), till it finally dawned on me that my entire right side was numb & NOT working! What a mess!...hubbie was freaking out! Took over an hour for any feelings to start coming back...& IT felt strange! Instead of the usual "pins-&-needles" it sort of "tickled" (like a mild tingling) as the feeling was coming back!

After thinking about it today...I actually had 2 laugh at myself because I sounded like that old lady who falls, pushes her "Alert" button & says "Help, I've fallen & I can't get up?". Well...what I said last night was..."I'm peeing & I can't get up!" LOL! Gave me & my hubbie a good laugh anyways. Crying just brings on my Migraines...so, might as well laugh with others @ myself! ;)

Was driving by a Medical Equipment store the other day & thought
about stopping in & checking out their "Depends & Walkers." Guess I should have! Lol! Hang in there Do
n...you're NOT alone! Just gets more fun by the day! ;)
~tj

Sorry to read your post. It does sound like you need an assessment for a walker for your safety & sooner the better - also exercises that will help both arms & legs.
As for your incontinence, dont be embarressed to use some pads to help with that, - this is for others like tquivers that mentioned it too. I have a kylie/bed pprotector on always just incase of accidents. I put mine on top of the sheet as sometimes I am far too much gone & even all that needs changing.
Wilth all your needs you should be able to get help from nat ms society or similar.

Please, consider talking with your doc about a walker, or other things that may help you to become more stable when you walk. We don't want you to be so proud you hurt yourself!

While you're chattin' with the doc, talk to him about what he can do to help you stay dry.

These are issue that are hard to come to grips with. Yet, once we do, our lives can improve so much.

Another thing, if we aren't honest with our docs, don't let them know what's going on, they can't do their best job for us. It has to be a two way exchange when you visit the doctor.

Good luck to you!

Ooops! Forgot to add letting your doc know about the problems you have with eatting is a major thing. You could aspirate while you're eatting. Then you could really be in a world of hurt!

Er, perhaps a trip to your local apothecary?