How Is your Walking?

Sorry I couldn't think of a better title for my question.  What I would like to know is how are you all getting around at this particular moment?  

Are you using a wheelchair?  Walker?  Cane?

Or are you able to walk unassisted?  If so, how is it working out for you not using any assisted devices?  

I have progressed from being in a wheelchair back in June, after getting out of the hospital and rehab unit, to using a walker.  I am doing pretty well with the walker, most of the time.  Good news is that I am back in physical therapy starting tomorrow morning and my main goal for therapy is to progress to a cane and then to using no aides.  

My question to you all is if you had to use a cane or walker or wheelchair initially, what did you do and how long did it take to get to the point that you could walk normally?  I think my biggest challenge right now is to get over the fear that I will fall especially in a public place as a result of being bumped accidentally by someone.  I would love to get some encouragement from others who have been through this so I can get over this falling issue.  

You guys are such a great source of information and encouragement and I appreciate you so much.  

Thanks.

Julie

[wishforchange]

Hi,

Just trawling through looking at unanswered posts where I can contribute.  I'm sorry no-one has responded.  It happens to all of us now and again.  

Are you diagnosed?

I have no MS diagnosis but some months back made the decision to buy a cane.  I was getting tired of the injuries from falling and the being stopped in my tracks by pain and the strange looks as my limping got worse.  The cane has now become an extension of me,  I hardly notice I'm using it any more and it has given me back some freedom.  I actually now get surprised when other people point it out.  Only downside is the loss of the use of one hand for carrying stuff, but that's what rucksacks are for.

I have a friend who was very fit and because of a spinal condition is now in a wheelchair.  The adjustment for him was a difficult one, but after being out of touch for years and seeing him again recently I realise he has made that adjustment.  People have tremendous reserves inside them, as you probably do.

My world collapsed when my mobility left me.  Movement was my world.  I could not see myself as lucky that I was not in a wheelchair, I only grieved for what I had lost.  I still do, but less.  We all mostly eventually grow old, and lose faculties in that time, those of us who are sick lose them earlier in life, but the same fate awaits us all.  We are temporary beings.

You sound like you are on the way up, moving back towards some independence.  I'm so happy for you.  Take each day as it comes and expect nothing, then you can never be disappointed.  I have the unlikely prospect of a diagnosis which will lead to a cure, but it is unlikely, I would be foolish to lay expectations on it, as to be told it is a false finding would destroy me.  

There is no 'typical' route to deterioration or recorvery, we are all different.  There is only you and what is within you.  Draw on what you have, your wisdom, your worldliness, your past suffering, you'll be amazed what's in there.

I always thought of myself as an immature person, yet when life threw challenges at me in the past, not just health, somehow I found reserves to face them.  If I can do it anyone can.  Keep going.  Don't expect too much too soon.  Don't be discouraged by setbacks, and know that you have support here.  I hope you find this answer and don't think you've been overlooked.

Wish

[Farrahlicious]

well, i have only been dx for a couple of months, only had two attacks and i have lesions on my brain but not the usual MS ones. I have lesions in the speech part and the "wobbly leg" symptom.
I also suffer (ugh, i hate to say suffer, i usually go for "have") Spondylitis and when it started getting bad (no medication was working) i started falling all over the place. I thought it was because of the AS, but they were the first MS problems.
I walk around my house holding on to things. There's plenty of things to hold on to, cats, dogs, the random person walking by..lol! nah, i just know the house very well and i seem to do better IN the house. Once outside, i use a crutch i guess you can call it, it's the one with the handle but it goes all the way to your elbow. Mine is pink and my friends make fun of it calling me "Crippled Barbie, comes with two sets of crutches!" i make fun of myself all the time. Besides, it's good when you go to the mall and annoying kids get in your way, you can always "hit them without noticing" oooops, sorry. I'm kinda like the female version of Dr House. Hitting people left and right, i got hooked on it.... i'm a bad person... but it's so much fun!

[cjacks]

Julie

What a great response from Wish.

I haven't had to use a walking device so I don't know if you want to hear from me  :)  

It does seem like you're getting back to the 'old' Julie. You're doing an amazing job and I sincerely hope you reach your goal of walking with the cane or even unassisted .

I think everyone with walking or balance or gait issues are fearful of falling and especially in public.   I sure do ...   I am trying to make a concerted effort to ease up on worrying about it .. If it happens, it happens. ...   and hopefully someone will help me up :) :)  I think for me it will make my stride easier . I'm always on guard , scanning to see if there is something in my way to trip me  or where is the floor or is that person ( children ) getting too close..   I have to let that s*** go ..  I've been doing this for a few days and can already see I'm more relaxed .   AND enjoying being out more..

Good luck  with the PT

Keep us posted,   HUGS

Jo

[Sunnytoday]

Hey there!
Didn't notice this post at first, must have been on vacation or out and about, so sorry!

I'm still undiagnosed, but started with a shuffle in May and was told by my neurologist to use a cane for my terrible balance.

After my crop up of new symptoms in June I had to use anything near to hang on to- my legs refused to move and I fell over a lot (course, I've been falling for almost 2 years) I hang onto anything handy in the house, and use a cane when I'm out, and if I'm shopping or doing anything that requires much walking I'm in a wheel-chair.

I really haven't seen any improvement since June but I'm always hoping that one day I will. I've found that if my mom rubs my legs to help with the spasticity, and I wear high top shoes to help keep my feet from draggin to terribly, I can get around with a cane decently unless I'm just too tired, although I do look like a penguin and have a very particular walk... a pt. at a hospital walked up to me the other day and said "do you have MS?" after watching me walk a few steps. :)

I'm glad that you are able to get PT, and I hope that it goes well for you, good luck!!
Like Jo said, keep us posted, we'd love to hear how you are doing!
(((hugs)))
~Sunnytoday~

[jensequitur]

I should probably use a cane, but my walking ability varies during the day.  In the morning, I tend to wobble around the house, using the walls to straighten me out if it looks like I'm going to slam into one.  After I get to work, I spend most of my time on my butt - when I get up, I hobble a little, but I'm more stable.  At night, when I'm tired, I start weaving again, and have a hard time walking in a straight line.

This seems to come and go.  Sometimes I walk just fine.  That's about 30% of the time.  The rest of the time, my right knee gives out, or my left leg feels all tight and stretchy, or my right leg feels like it's not lifting high enough... I could go on and on!  (And have!)  

I hope that this will get better.  If it doesn't, I'm going to push again for physical therapy.  I would like to be able to run again.