Walking with foot drop

[Val1117]

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with foot drop approx. 1year ago (2012). It is a result of overdoses of chemo Drugs followed by high doses of radiation and anesthesia for breast surgery during he entire year of 2011. I went in for my first mammogram 2 months after my 40th birthday and was immediately diagnosed with stage 3c metastatic breast cancer. Although the overdose did help to bring the cancer into remission, I was left with stage 2-3 peripheral nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy. So, I have bilateral foot drop, use a cane mostly and walker and have gained at least 25 pounds due to decreased mobility. I live in Michigan and we are nearing spring. I have been to PT/OT but even they haven't been able to help me organize a successful walking routine. Anyone out there who knows about foot drop, knows about the pain and fatigue associated with it. Especially in my back and ankles the pain is horrible. The more I push myself the worse the pain and fatigue get. Does anyone have any input?

[HeatherRDH]

Ps. one last thing that helps me, I don't have a hot tub so I take a hot bath to soak my legs every night after a work out to help soothe the muscles and it helps me to sleep through the night! I will make it as hot as possible and then when i get used to it I add more hot water (just like a hot tub). I then read a magazine or talk to a friend on the phone to pass time especially when I need to stay in longer due to soreness. Hope this helps!

[HeatherRDH]

Hi Val, So sorry to hear about your bilateral foot drop. That is absolutely terrible. I have foot drop in my left leg due to a nerve cancer I had back in 2003. I can completely relate to your pain and weight gain. I don't know if you wear braces on your legs or not but I do and I could not walk without it. I get by around the house (now after many years) but I still constantly trip on my own foot and constantly injure my big toe so I try to wear my brace and shoe as much as possible.
     One thing I have done to help me with weight gain and rehab is invest in my own equipment. I recently got a treadmill with rails so i can hold on in case I fall. I can also work my legs and walk a little faster than I normally would since I have the rails to hold on.
     I also purchased a total gym. This machine is great for me because you can adjust the intesity and you can do the excercises on your back which takes the load off you leg/ankle or knee. The hand straps also help me to take a lot of the pressure off the leg when doing leg exercises as well as working my arms.
     I like having this in my home so that 1. I don't have to leave my house and 2. no one is watching me like they do at the gym so I am free to take my time and/or struggle and push through stuff. I purchased the gym at a used sports equipment store (since they are kind of pricey and I don't work). It took me a while to find one too so keep looking if it is something your interested in. I also bought the treadmill used. I just wanted to share what works for me. I think we know the old saying is true, use it or lose it (because most of us have atrophy) but I hope that you don't give up. Small progress is STILL PROGRESS. I'm so happy for your remission and if you have any tips to share with me, please feel free.