unsteady to joints locking?

[evoashes]

So decided I was going to beat the heat by going to the mall today for some exercise and window shopping. So far I haven't been a very unsteady person, clumsy to accident prone yes, but could walk in a normal fashion. Well I noticed today that after getting a quarter - half way around the mall I found myself stumbling a bit and not being able to walk in a straight line. My feet were starting to get their normal really hot feeling and tingly toes that I usually get when walking. I also noticed that I was spending a lot of effort just trying to lift my legs up and keep from wobbling. I don't know if I looked like I was wobbling but I felt like I was. As if my legs were starting to turn into Jello. When I would stop to look at something and start moving again it felt as if I was locked in place. Took way too much effort to get moving again =( I have issues with my hips (thinking bursitis) and today's journey made them ache pretty well. Do any of you get this where you're unsturdy to locked to unsturdy again? When I sat down I felt fine even though my feet are still on fire and my legs are all tingly. I've been having a lot of issues with muscle spasms lately. I thought the water aerobics was helping quite a bit but I guess I was wrong =( Any suggestions for helping with this besides cane or wheel chair??? Thanks everyone for listening to my book! haha

Ashley

[supermum_ms]

hmmm i dont particularly have issue with my knees locking up, my issue is that they dont want to lock, so my knee's seem like they are controlled by bungie cords. lol i can be standing and my knee will suddenly unlock and i'm falling to the left. Ha i walk like a human string puppet so for me its not the most odd thing i do, though looking drunk seems to be a rather common assumption for a lot of pwMS lol i sound drunk too.

I've been checking out knee brases to keep my knee stable but i'm not sure what you do if the issue is that it locks up, maybe you could try stretching and flexability training to see if it helps.

Cheers......JJ  

[Francyna]

Hi there I hope all is well with your home in reguards to the forest fire out there....as well as you. Ice pks are my best friends @ work ; I'm in a hot jail all day.

[debgen]

This happens to me quite often. It is very frustrating when my weaker left leg locks up. It becomes very hard to. Move and when I do start walking my leg is very weak and throws off my balance. I find this happens most in the heat or when my muscles are fatigued. LOL about needing a stroller because when I get this way that's exactly how I feel. I do know that when this happens I must sit down and rest.

Cheers,
Deb

[evoashes]

I was not having fun =/ Are you having issues with the fires? Hopefully all is well. So your hips hurt too?

[saucygrl]

I TOTALLY get what you are experiencing.  I've told my kids that if I'm walking very far I need a stroller.  All my kids are mid teens+ so they think I'm crazy.  We've had some really hot temps. here in Colorado and it's definitely making my hips hurt worse.  I saw my neuro this morning and she told me to just make sure I really take time to stretch when it starts happening and don't try to take on too much at one time.  Not a lot of help, but at least I felt like she was listening!

Best wishes!
Chris

[evoashes]

Thanks Tammy, I agree with the heat thing. When I'm at the pool its indoor at the Y and I seem to never really have problems. I have my normal muscle fatigue but I can usually keep going. The gravity thing usually plays against me pretty well! I seem to fall up stairs rather than down them! The last Rheumatologist said that I need different shoes because my flat footed-ness is causing the hip pain althought I think my flat footed-ness has been there fore as long as I could remember but not the hip pain! And I'm not paying over $100 for shoes its ridiculous! Hopefully my next couple doc appointments go well. I'm tired of the ignoring me thing so if they aren't going to help I'm just going to walk out not waste my time =)

Ash

[maxthecat43]

I am trying to figure this one out too.  I would love to get "moving"!  Whenever I try to broach the subject with my doctor, he doesn't really know what to do about it either.  

I think if you are able to do the water aerobics, but not mall walking- perhaps it's a combination of heat (from the exercise), and having my gravity to work through.  

I am seeing a physical therapist.  She was discouraged initially, but she has found some ways for me to get at least some exercise.  If you can get a referral, perhaps the issue can be addressed.  I am learning that there are some things I will probably not get back...  But it sounds like you still have pretty good function.  Physical therapy to address this particular issue, might be the answer for you.

Another simple trick:  wear an ice vest.  That might keep your core temp down enough to keep you walking.  

Good Luck!
Tammy