Weight Training and numbness/weakness

[ArtBecomesMe]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post. So let me start from the top.

I was diagnosed with MS about 3 years ago. It started with Optic Neuritis and I was clear for awhile, then about 9 or 10 months ago I got my first onset of numbness in my left leg and left arm at the same time. It scared me but it went away after 3 days.

So, recently I decided to buy myself a weight bench and get myself into shape. I assembled it yesterday and did my first workout (upper body only). I didn't push myself too hard because I was just starting off. But last night I woke up in the middle of the night realizing something was off. When I tried to lift my left arm, it would just fall back down. It was weak. The same was happening for my left leg. That was when I knew it wasn't because of working out, since I didn't do any lower body exercises. Now as I am typing this I can feel that they are also getting numb very slowly just like 9/10 months ago.

I guess my real question is whether anyone has had working out CAUSE any symptoms? It is a really strange coincidence that as soon as I start weight training, this symptom happens after so long of being fine. Everywhere I read, they say weight training is great for MS between gaining stability and muscle control. I really don't want it making me worse.

Thank you!

[Lulu54]

Justin,
Nighttime for most people is the worst time for all those pings, and bells and whistles in our bodies to go off.  One suggestion I have heard is to do some serious stretching before bed - not just a few moves, but about 20 minutes or so.  You might try that and see if it helps.

It might also be a positional problem - how you are laying in bed might be causing pressure at some point that causes the numbness.  Just guessing...

Keep it up and modify your routing accordingly until you find what works for you!

L

[ArtBecomesMe]

Thank you Lulu and Sue. I am Justin by the way.

Yesterday I did my workout in the morning, I really didn't push myself hard at all and I was fine all day,then the problems started in the middle of the night. I guess it was enough considering I haven't worked out in years. At this point my left leg and arm are really numb. Seeing as how Sue goes through the exact same thing, I am sure I will be fine. Thank you I feel much better about this now. Hopefully the healthier I get physically, the better my body will be at handling the push.

[sporty03]

Hi art my name is sue . I was diagnosis Aug 3rd of this year.rrms.I work out 3 to 4 days a week and have for years. i started getting numbness and weakness on the right side leg and arm about a year ago.and like you its especially bad after i get done working out.When i'm done and walking out of there my leg is dragging pretty bad.What is happening is we are over heating our bodys and fatiging our muscles which *****.All I can say is to keep working out .Its good for us!

[Lulu54]

Hi ABM and welcome to the forum - I'm glad you found us and posted your question.

Exercise as you described is not going to cause an MS flare.  What happens when we exercise is we can overheat or we can overuse the muscles to the point of muscle fatigue.  Both of these conditions are temporary and will resolve on their own.

Exercise of every type is good for us - years ago they said the opposite but we now know differently.  

is it possible that you strained something in the process of assembling your weight bench and working out?  You might want to call your doctor's office and let them know what is going on, just in case it can be treated.

Weight training for MS is a good thing - but you need to start out slow and build up.  Perhaps you can get a referral from your doctor to see a PT who can help develop a routing for you?  

Congrats on being proactive and doing what you can to remain strong.  Welcome again, Lulu