Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Brain & Nervous System
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Poor mobility ~ use it or loose it

allicat9375
allicat9375
A few months ago I finished up my 20 physical therapy appointments, and I was walking really well. Then I stopped moving. All I was doing was sitting on my bed watching shows on my laptop. Needles to say my walking has become difficult. I have all the tools I need to walk better and I wasn't doing them.

Plus this week I was using my wheelchair just because I was being lazy. That my walking with my arm crutches very difficult. So tonight I decided to get up and move.

So tonight I took a walk around my court yard. I only went around once,but it's a start. I also did some stretching. I'm going to try to do it all over again tomorrow night. I also found some awesome seated chair exercises on line. I just need to do them.

I guess it's true when they say use it or loose it.

Keep moving with me everyone
deleted_user
deleted_user
Walk. Please. If you cannot walk you have to visualize how you walk. I believe brain is capable of making new connections and rerouting. Not sure if that is applicable to spinal lesions
ChrissyH
ChrissyH
I totally agree with the 'use it or lose it'. My goal for the new year is to take our dog for a walk 2 - 3 times each week. I'm trying to motivate myself to take an aqua for MS Class. Other than getting a shower, I just don't like being in water - even the pool when It's 90+ degrees.
carolinagirl123
carolinagirl123
Reading everyone's posts about walking/exercising . I'm not in a wheel chair nor use a cane but I have horrible, incredible 24/7 PAIN in my legs, feet and ankles.and I have mild to moderate spatiscity. It Has been that way since my diagnosis in 2005. I stretch a fair amount daily , most of my walking is only when I take my small dog out. I hurt, therefore I don't want to do much physical activity. I know I should do better but it seems exercise makes me worse, sometimes. My neurologist sent me to physical therapy once. I did alot stuff with those rubber band stretching things. Can't really say it helped my pain, I actually hated going but did for 6 weeks. After the six weeks, I continued at home for a week and quit. Just takes to much effort . What should I do?
marilyn4342
marilyn4342
USE IT OR LOSE IT! This has finally caught up with me! I am sendentary most of the time. In the house I use a walker. When I leave the house I am in a wheelchair. I fell a couple of times this weekend. Once I got up with the help of my husband and a grown daughter. The second time I couldn't help so my husband left me to sleep on the floor until morning and then we called a son in law to come help! I am going to start exercising my legs again or I am afraid my husband will put me in a "home" because he can no longer cre for me!
Anne8
Anne8
Today I went with my family to a kind of hardware super store, and when I had the option to take the wheelchair they offer, I chose to get a shopping cart and get around that way using it like a walker. Kept thinking I've got to keep moving (in the middle of a 2 week holiday, and not getting out much). And am getting psyched up for 20 physical therapy sessions I will be having over the next few months. I hope they'll help!
Thanks for the reminder to keep moving!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I also got a dog when I was using a wheelchair...I used that wheelchair for a long time and realized I was loosing ground by being lazy so I started small and began walking the dog. I started with a wheeled walker so if I got fatigued I could rest...I am now walking well and even hiking. I use a walking stick for uneven surfaces and do yoga and stretching exercises daily to keep my mobility. The other thing I do is swim as much as possible. That and walking daily have kept me out of my chair for a few years now. It's hard work some days and I constantly remind myself not to get lazy but well worth it
AusSue
AusSue
Definitely "use it or lose it". I have been sent back to scratch 2x this last month with a flare up at the beginning of December & then pneumonia at the end has sent me right back to how I was a long time ago.
Now I have to start start from scratch. I am using the walker in the house & struggling to walk as well. It does get easier over time except for getting up from the chair to stand, that is agony on the legs.
Definitely worth the effort to walk when & how ever much you can & also just do some basic leg exercises while you are seated too. Ones like stretch your leg & try to lift it too.
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