Yeah...my legs are FINE....mmmmmhmmm

[mary_kay]

This morning I tripped on something little in the cellar and fell.  I laid there for a moment trying to figure out how to get up.  I can get around fine as long as I am on my feet (think Charley Chaplin), but getting up off the floor is quite a challenge.  Later, while getting ready to go to the doctor, I took a bath.  Seemed like a good idea...relaxing,etc....I usually take showers.  Well, when I was ready to get out - I couldn't!  I just couldn't figure out how to make my legs lift me up!  At first I laughed to myself in disbelief and tried again....then I started to panic because the only person anywhere nearby is a young man that is a friend of my son's...he lives on my land in exchange for help around here.  Well, getting him to get me out wasn't an option, so I waited for the water to be completely gone, put the towel on the bottom of the tub for more traction, and somehow managed to pull myself up with my hands and arms until my feet were under me far enough to use them too.  Whew!!!  Sadly, I guess I won't be taking baths for awhile...
By the time I go back to work, I will have a funny story to tell to my girlfriends.  

[AMO]

a gentleman       some years agoo with ms    took a bath, alone. PArt way he could not move.
FIVE   days later was rescued.
He could      not    get  out or a phone.
think who scared he must       been.
this is truee, NOT  urban    legand.

Please do not   have bath unless someone is therre .
amo

[jensequitur]

Any time I get warm my symptoms come back - all of them!  But the most dangerous ones are the legs being weak.  It scares me that this might become permanent!

[Mand125]

Of course you are right Quix, I have avoided baths for a few years now but have thought nothing about having a nice hot shower - every morning - this morning was my last one! Tepid from now, honest. Thanks for the advice which should have been obvious to me but I hadn't thought about.

Mary Kay I hope the fall didn't hurt you.

Mand

[Lulu54]

Wow Quix, you usually aren't that stern... :-)

I have had a  couple occassions in the past year or two on vacation where we had truly decadent whirlpool tubs in our room.  Who could pass up a long soak in one of those?  I couldn't then but I know better now.  

This June in Belgium we had a great whirlpool tub, I took a lengthy hot bath complete with bubbles, struggled to get out of the tub but eventually made it.  I went straight to bed to trap all that nice warmth, but had to get up in a few hours for a call to the water closet.... when I stoood up my legs buckled under me, I ended up crawling to the closet to relieve myself and just barely made it.  It was a horrible experience and I couldn't quite make sense out of why it happened ... then MS came into the picture a month later and it all made sense.  Heat is my enemy.

My desire for those long soaks is now replaced with my longing to remain upright under my own power as long as possible.

Thanks again for the scolding Quix - I will listen and follow the doctor's orders.  - Lulu

[mary_kay]

Quix...really?....permanent?  Wow, I'll behave, I promise.  (d a m n  i t !)

[Quixotic1]

Okay, ladies - reality check here!!  Remember all we have said about heat intolerance and that all the symptoms can worsen in MS with "any" increase in core body temp.  A hot or warm bath is VERY likely to cause this worsening.  The danger is, if this is MS, the worsening can be PERMANENT.  Yes, you may make yourselves worse, and it might not get  completely better when you cool down.  My neuro hit the roof when I told him about the sew symptoms I had after my shower.  He almost bellowed, "No more hot showers!!"

Yes, it is one of the godly pleasures, but it is not worth the risk.  That inability to get out should be sending alarms off in your brains!!!  do you hear me?  I am soooo serious here.  It does make the stuff of great story-telling, but.....

Okay.  The doc has spoken.  Carry on (contritely)

Quix

[jensequitur]

No baths.  That's a rule.  I have a rod I can grab on to in the shower.  Today I leaned against the wall the entire time I was showering, and found that my feet were slipping further and further apart!  We have a non-slip shower mat, and my feet were still slipping.  

I also have to be careful not to get the water too hot.  I can take a warm shower and end up feeling horrible for the next three hours, all because it was too warm.

So be very careful!  Consider getting a couple of grab bars installed around the tub, and make sure you have a non-slip mat in the tub.

[mary_kay]

Thanks for the tip.  I hate to give those occasional baths up.  I have an old fashioned slipper tub with legs.  It is marvelous!

[saveone]

Please be careful.  I too have had this experience.  I got my legs under me but they wouldn't lift me up.  So I was using my hands and arms to lift me.  Being wet they slipped and I fell down, raking mt side and arm as I went.  I still take baths, one of my few pleasures I am not willing to give up but if I need my arms and hand t lift me I put a wet wash cloth under them so I will have traction.  Just something to file away in case you need it.

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