bending causes leg weakness....MS??

[mistylee]

Hi,

Ever since my first relapse, when I crouch down for a while ie when weeding garden or washing small dog in the shower, for 10 mins or so, when I stand my legs become quite weak and shaky although you can't see any shaking.  This symptom is the same as when I have a hot shower or in a relapse but seems worse.

My Question is .... what is causing this??? There is no numbness or tingling. MRI scan of lower spine shows nothing to suggest any problem. The longer I bend the worse it gets and the longer it takes to come right.

I can't help but think it is related to my first relapse.  I had 5 hr episode of numbness form the lower back down both legs with servere burning pain across lower back just above where the numbness started. Went to ER but they did nothing. After 6 hrs I went home as the numbness was subsideing.   I had a lot of trouble with walking during that relapse to the point of not able to climb stairs and shuffling.

All my symptoms resolved except this problem. The only other thing that makes my legs feel similar is walking too much.
I am going to tell the new neuro in Feb. Does any one know if this is MS related??

Thanks
Mistylee

[Nancy T]

Gosh, I have this problem, and I DON'T have MS! (So I've been told, anyway.) I cannot imagine being able to crouch for two minutes, let alone ten. Also I cannot get up from a squat or kneeling without pulling myself up with my arms, and I have to use my arms to get up from a chair too. Of course, I'm 52 and about 40 lbs overweight.

[deborah0904]

I don't have an answer, but I also have the same problem.  I am dx'd and have a spinal cord lesion.  

[shoshin]

I don't have anything to add except that I have this problem, too. Bending over or squatting does me in in a very short time. My legs get weaker or jello-like and if I persist, I become unable to stand upright and have to sit down and recover.

I used to enjoy working in the garden, but it got so that I could only squat or bend for a minute or two before my legs wouldn't hold me up anymore such that it became impossible to accomplish anything.

I did go to PT, but it didn't really help with this. I just try to be careful. For example, if I'm walking anywhere, I make sure my shoes are securely tied so I don't have to bend over to tie them as it takes too much out of me. Sometimes even getting too many things out of the bottom drawer of the fridge is too much for me.

sho

[mistylee]

Hi JJ,

I also could not stand from squatting without help with my arms or step up a high step but this has slowy got better. I do excercises each day to help strengthen my thighs . I can do 20 reps of leg raises and only about 5 squats, but not from crouching only bending the knee squats.  I am slowly building up.

I have been on the bike a few times now. The first time my legs burned before I even got out the driveway.  I bike about 3 or 400metres now and then turn back.  Not far I know but a definite improvement.

My legs don't look weak either . Just the oposite.  My right mucsle from the knee to ankle bulges like a boby builder as well as my left thigh.  It gets so hard my 16 year old daughter thought it was bone. Really strange.  IT come on often and it has been pulling my knee cap so it feels out of place.  I dont know what this is but maybe spasms???
Its good to know Quix and Jens that others have this strange problem.  My neuro was expecting a thoracic lesion to explan the clonus and hug sensation but nothing. I think it will be there we just cant see it yet!!  lol. That would explain the weakness . Stretching or arching the back is probably similar to bending forward in that the spine is in a position that isnt straight.  
So it would make sense if the spine was compromised by a lesion.???

Mistylee

[supermum_ms]

Since my latest episode i cant get up if i'm in a sqaut type sit, my legs will not support me anymore, though i expect them too. I have to use my arms to pull me up or i'll do head butting which i did just the other day, woops i forgot. Even getting up from a chair i cant rely on my legs, still have to be ready to pull my self up or i may fall backwards, i now try to remember to help my legs past the point of no return.

My thighs dont look weak, i can see good muscle definition but they are weak despite all the stretching and yoga, hate to think what they'd be like if i didnt do it, i was very jelly leg for months after my last episode but i do expect they will eventually get back to normal, its just in the mean time to expect they wont hold and to plan ahead.

Have you tried building your squatting strength by repeating a squat to standing position but in a controlled environment so you get the assistance of the lift until the muscles get strong enough?

Cheers.........JJ

[jensequitur]

I have this problem when I stretch, or arch my back.  My legs go weak and don't work for a while.  Sometimes I'll get up off the couch and stretch, then something kicks in that keeps me from moving for a second (don't know what that is) then my legs will go weak and I flop back down on the couch.

To be honest, I think it's a sign of a spinal lesion.  Rather like L'Hermittes in the neck.  But  if the MRI scan shows nothing, then it's best to treat the symptom, rather than look for an answer.

[Quixotic1]

this is a bigtime problem for me.  In my case it shows up when I clean the cat boxes daily.  We have six boxes and by the last two I have to lean my elbow on my knees to support myself.

Ask you doctor for a referral to physical therapy.  You don't have to have a diagnosis, but muscle weakness.  

Q