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1251333 tn?1445218215

MS & Walking

Okay - this might sound odd - knowing I've had MS for 10 years but - I need to get an idea of what kind of walking issues people have had with their MS.

A lot of MSers look at me and ask if I have had trouble walking and...I'm not sure if what I DO have qualifies as "trouble walking".

I've always been able to do the "heel" and "toe" walk and never really had any gait issues ID'd during any neuro visits.

But, of late - within the past month or two, I've been having these "drifting" moments.  It's like I cannot walk in a straight line.  I "feel" like my body starts to lean and then I have to catch myself and I'm sure it looks like I'm walking like I'm drunk!

I also ALWAYS have issues when I go from a sitting to a standing position.  It's like my legs are weak and then my right foot..kind of drags and takes a minute to kick in with the rest of my leg.

So, being in a semi-state of denial about having "walking" issues related to my MS, I chalk it up to being over weight...not getting my blood moving...sitting in one place for too long...etc.

However, my MS spidey-senses are kicking in and telling me, "Welllll...Maybe I ought to ask about this."

Yesterday my partner said, "You're having "stupid leg"  (My affectionate term for when my leg starts acting up)

I thought this board might bw a good place to get an idea of whether or not it's worthy of mentioning to my Neuro.  I've developed a slight complex about the capabilities of a neurologist to be able to do do ANYTHING about MS beacuse really...they can't.  And I'm feeling like everything they've tried for me is kind of pointless and wasted.  Mentioning this to my Neuro would only serve to "document" my file, so to speak.  I don't want to go on any more meds and basically want to just shrug it all off on one hand.  On the other hand, I'd like to confirm it sounds like it's MS related and add another check mark to the list of MS crap I have to deal with.  Lol - do I sound like i'm whining now?  

Uuugh.  Anyway - sorry for the long post.  The jist of all this is - I'd like to know what your MS walking issues are like and if you think the issue I described sounds like it's MS related.

Thank you!

Jen
Best Answer
338416 tn?1420045702
Hey, I can so relate.  During my very first flare, I developed a problem with steering.  It was like my steering wheel was off by 15 degrees.  I would start to walk forward, and end up going off to the side.  It was consistently the same amount of wrongness, if that makes any sense.

After about six months, I started to have leg weakness on my right.  That was five years ago, and some days it's worse, some days it's better.  Now it's starting to be a problem - it's weak all the time, and I really can't lift myself with my right leg.

So definitely talk to your neuro.  I personally think that you've got a lesion that's causing your direction problem.  My neuro never weighed in on the cause, but it might have been either the lesion in my cerebellum, or in my brainstem.
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Avatar universal
I was only diagnosed with MS three months ago.  I presented as having a stroke with loss of 25% on my left and 50% on my right.  MRI's and a spinal tap were the definitive tests eliminating the stroke theory.  Long story short, I still have trouble with coordination and strength.  Typing is much more a challenge than ever with typo's the new norm.  As for walking, I also have arthritis in the hips and so when I walk I truly look drunk.  I have both the drift and the hip limp on both sides.  Very embarrassing.  Lately I've been using a cane.  ...Not because I need it to walk but, it helps me stay in a straight"er" line.

I'm considering getting a medic alert bracelet stating I have MS.  Since there are no boxes on a drivers license to indicate the diagnosis, if stopped at random drunk driving inspection points, I would fail immediately if given a sobriety test.  While in the end I would beat the rap it would be very inconvenient and embarrassing.  As you read this you may be thinking "just take a breathalyzer test".  The problem with that is they can't check for drugs via breathalyzer, only alcohol.  Law enforcement is moving away from breathalyzer tests until they can come up with drug testing due to the legalization of marijuana.  And, having MS, some of use the drug medicinally anyway.  We will have rules about that for legal limits etc. as soon as they figure out how to do that to.  ...Meanwhile...

As I said, long story short... inconvenient and very embarrassing.
Helpful - 0
572651 tn?1530999357
Hi, Mellie.  So sorry you have joined our club - it's not exclusive and we have members from all walks of life.   Don't think you are sentenced to that wheelchair forever - we do have members who have gotten through these relapses and regained their step- I sure hope that is what happens to you.

see you around, Laura
Helpful - 0
4661387 tn?1359415198
I have been having a 2 year long episode of MS with a new diagnosis with the new year! :) Doctors told me I did't have anything definite and now I finally have a diagnosis which doesn't make me feel like I am crazy anymore! I am in a wheel chair 90% of the time and use a cane and a foot drop brace the rest of the time... I have severe foot drop in my left leg. I have had 8 back surgeries prior to my diagnosis of MS. I am not really sure what to expect with MS as I have not done a lot of research I just know in the last year I have had issues with fainting, confusion changes in vision, fatigue, exhaustion, unability to void bladder with out having to self catheter. So this last year has been a rat maze and I went from hiking regularly and regular workout regimen to being in a wheel chair...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If your neuro is like my neuro, then they won't document it unless they see it with their own eyes.  And if at that precise moment that you're in their office and you're not doing it....then you never do it. Problem solved. Heh.

So, I'm not sure if it will help or not if you tell your neuro, but I'd have to agree that you probably should call and tell them about the new problems.  They definitely sound MS related and you can add those to your treasure chest of other fun symptoms.  

I have problems lifting up from sitting. And my partner says that I don't walk like I used to walk - I guess there's a limp, I feel it more some days than others.  My legs feel uncoordinated sometimes when I walk - like I'm not for sure where my foot is going when it goes forward. There is also an intermittent foot drop that will come along every now and then.  

Stairs & inclines are NOT my friends. On really bad days, I have to crawl up our stairs.  Most days it's just a slow go, going up stairs / inclines.  I have a wider than normal gait (so I've been told by my physical therapist).  Sometimes I do have the issue of veering off to the side, but not too often.

-Kelly
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I literally "drag" mine and it feels like it weighs 50#.  It used to happen more when I was tired but now the last attack has lasted 3-4 days.......

I will get that "walk like a drunk" thing and usually take that as a sure sign to "hit the couch" for awhile
Helpful - 0
198419 tn?1360242356
Hi Jen,

During my 1st attack in 07, I had problems walking, and I can only explain it that I would drift to the left, had to keep correcting myself, over and over again. Could not walk a straight line for months. I can now, and that resolved most fully.  Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
1831849 tn?1383228392
Most of my symptoms are related to my legs and walking. I am fully ambulatory, but I can't remember the last time I wasn't aware of my legs.

There are times when I can pick my left foot up just fine, but I'm not exactly where it's going to land. If I'm not paying attention I have a tendency to 'fall off' to the left. When I'm tired I can look like I've had a few too many. I have had days where every time I stood up it took a few seconds for my legs to relax from mild spasms, before I can use them.

So yes, I think all of what you describe can be MS related. It is in my case :-)

Kyle
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I personally didnt realize I had walking trouble because it isn't present everyday. Friends, family and my neuro have all brought it to my attention that I limp my neuro says it looks like I'm developing foot drop and I drift. I just noticed my "limp" the other day while walking down a hill. Luckily I caught myself before in hit the pavement.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you need to think of your neuro as your partner......he/she needs to know about new developments so that you can be PROPERLY treated for your MS.
There are no martyr badges given out for "holding out" on medications!

Are you on DMD meds?  perhaps time for a change?  We don't have enough information to truly give you an answer.........

but really, you need to keep your neuro up to date
Helpful - 0
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