What facilitated a person with MS to have to use a wheelchair?

[socrates2k1]

I know that there is a "possibility" that people w/ MS, may need to use a wheelchair, what occurs to bring a person (w/ MS) to need to use a wheelchair?

[feelingdiscouraged]

I just came across this forum.  And I have a question that I would like to ask all of you...  

I have been dealing with such extreme fatigue and pain in my left leg that it has affected my ability to hold down a full time job.  Even going to the grocery store or doing laundry wears me out.  

I have applied for disability because I lost my last job due to complications I've been having (memory issues).

Is it hard for people with MS to get on disability?

[jensequitur]

Laughter may not be the best medicine, but it helps!

Safety is definitely a concern.  Hubby mine is concerned that I'm going to fall and hurt myself.  So far it's been okay.  When I have an issue, I sit back down on the couch, or carefully go to my knees on the floor.

[maestro1959]

Hi Stan,

I am now in a wheelchair because my legs no longer get the signal to walk.  I have bilateral footdrop, and extreme weakness in both legs.

Quix's comment about safety is an excellent point, too.  I have done the falling thing here at home, and am now nursing persistant bursitis in the shoulder on which I landed.  The rolling walker thingy (I think it is called a rollator) is a really good option.  I have one of those that I was using last summer.  The seat comes in handy, and mine also has a "trunk" under the seat that is very handy for keeping things near.  I had purchased a folding cane that I kept in the "trunk" for moments I encountered where the roller would not go, like a non-handicap public restroom.

Best wishes,
Beth

[BOK2Bjan]

I can so relate.  I have so many canes and walkers and a wheelchair I don't use much.  But its hard to decide what you want where.  It's so hard to anticipate - yet you don't want to take every single device with you everywhere you go - that just makes everything worse!  Quite a dilemma I think.

I was in the grocery store with my daughter Sunday after church and I was having a hard time walking.  My hips wouldn't stretch out and my ankles don't bend, plus I have foot drop.  I'd been sitting so long - I was stiff as a board - plus I hurt like crazy.  Suddenly, I started laughing so hard - trying to tell her how funny I knew I looked - but I couldn't stop laughing long enough to say anything.  I ended up snorting and practically peeing myself from laughing.  Then she started laughing and did an impersonation of "the old lady shuffle - THAT did it.  We were a pair.  I couldn't wait to get out of there before I totally humiliated myself - except it was really too late.

Jan

[jensequitur]

It depends - what's your dominant hand, and how strong is it?  I have a quad cane that I got after the blood clot, and what I found is that sometimes my rt. hand is weak, and doesn't really want to hold on to the cane.  Also, the arm gets tired, and that four-post doohickey keeps hitting me in the ankle.  Sometimes it's easier just to hold on to the walls if I'm in the house.

It's lifting my leg to get in the car, or the tub, that causes a problem.  I didn't notice that I couldn't lift my leg until I got in the car to drive to work!  I should have said to hubby "hey, drive me to work, I can't lift my right leg" but instead boneheadedly struggled through it.  Grabbed my pants leg to lift my leg up from the gas to the brake.

My main hurdle will be when I want to walk through a store, and can't.  Do I use a cane?  Or a walker?  Or a rider?  I just don't know!  I guess I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.  

[Deb61]

Hi Jen,
I'm not hijacking Stan's thread, but kind of playing off of his last post and your post with a question.  I'm having the exact same problem with the quadricept muscle on the right side hurting and my right leg is hard to lift.  I think I'm in a relapse as my right arm feels like it has a tremor (not really evident, yet, but feel it) and my cognitive issues are really, really bad these days.

I've not used a cane, but do you think a cane would be useful for either Stan or I?  I have a shower chair from previous attack that I'm going to use.  

Deb

[jensequitur]

It sounds like you might benefit from a walker - they make a walker with a built-in chair that you can sit in.  The rider sounds like a good idea, too.

I had to cave in and get a shower seat.  I went through three months where I couldn't lift my right leg off the ground, and getting in the shower safely was a real problem.  Personally I hate it, but I'm glad I don't have to worry about falling in the tub.  (Unless I fall OFF the shower seat!)

[socrates2k1]

Wow, I know for myself, when I go shopping, I almost always use a "rider" to get around, because I simply cannot walk that much or that far, anymore.

Fatigue, is always an overriding factor for me, as well.

But, over the last week, it has gotten increasingly difficult to walk, due to my upper legs (quadriceps muscles) feeling like they weigh 50 pounds, with lead weights added to them.

Also, extreme pain, in those same muscles, even though, I don't do a lot of exercising, or much walking, on my own, except around my home.

-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)

[grannyhotwheels]

I am in one most of the time... My balance issues are so severe that I have to have some sort of aid all the time... Also if I do use my walker it's only for short distances... My back causes a lot of pain if I'm standing for any period of time...

My legs will swell up after about 3 or 4 hours after getting up during the day and then I can't wear my braces to walk... I have no muscle control in my ankles and without my braces they constantly twist and sprang...

I have a power chair which I got at no cost through medicare so that's a blessing for sure... It does get depressing at times but like everything else with the disease we learn to live with it...

Carol

[bairdy]

hi
i hav ejust got a wheelchair and use it because i cant walk very well due to pain and stiffness so its an aid to me to go out shopping may be .
but i used it on holiday whilt out and obout sightseeing

i dont like it very much as i dont feel in control and at the mercy of my wife pushing it lol
but needs must sometimes.

it took a lot of persueding me to use it though as i did not want to give in !!!
regards bairdy

[Lulu54]

I would add to Alex's good list

5. Safety.  If it comes to the point of being unsafe on two legs, parking it in a wheelchair is an excellent option.  That's much better than taking a fall and having serious injury.

[HVAC]

1. Fatigue. Some people use them when they go out because they get tired, they may not use one at home. They may want to conserve energy. They may want to keep up with family or friends.

2, Balance some people may use them all or part of the time to prevent falls.

3. One or two legs are no longer getting the signals to walk.

4. Spasms, and having to take medicine which turns muscles to jello.

[echo74]

Hi, I am useing a wheelchair right now and have needed it for the last month. In the beging I used the chair because I was having such bad muscle spasms that I would just fall to the ground when this happened. Since then I am on a medication that seems to help with the spasms, and they are going away(or this could just be couencidental) either way, the spasms are less, and I now use the chair as an aid. If I walk to much which is combersome and difficult, I than am so winded and exausted that I have to lay down. So I am useing it conserve what little energy I have right now. Sorry for the spelling, this is so not my strong point :)