Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!41.15!Adrienne.Barhydt From: Adrienne.Barhydt@p15.f41.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Adrienne Barhydt) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: M.S. flare-up Message-ID: <15422@bunker.UUCP> Date: 5 Nov 90 15:55:54 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Adrienne.Barhydt@p15.f41.n105.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/41.15 - Busker's Boneyard, Portland OR Lines: 43 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 11520 In a message of , Aaron Feldman (1:260/204) writes: AF>therefore tend to minimize them. Anyway so far I have had no symptom AF>relief and you are certainly correct about muscles. (I wish you could AF>tell me more becos I don't understand the physcial dynamics). However, AF>since one leg is almost completely numb I have been using the other to AF>ambulate and now am starting to have terrible muscle spasms and pains. I AF>don't know , at least for myself at this point, how to determine the AF>correct amount of movement. I keep pushin although it has been harder as AF>of late for my equilibrium of *off*. I am so dizzy. Been taking antivert AF>but that doens't do it. Of all these little nasty symptoms it is the one AF>that bothers me the most. Dizziness can reander me helpless and that AF>scare me. pls keep in touch, Aaron Aaron, Stretching and range of motion exercises are very important but they must be GENTLE. My stretching routine is my number one priority every day. If I have only enough energy to brush my teeth or stretch, I choose stretching. I believe it would help you a lot to see a physical therapist to work up a routine for you, so that you will stretch the muscles that you need to stretch in the way that is right for you. I'm sure it is easy to do damage if you don't learn how to do it right. I know - it costs bucks. I wish it didn't. Doctors can't cure us but things like physical therapy can keep us functioning lots better. If you can work out a way to see a PT, try to find one who has worked with people with MS before. They must understand your energy limitations to be helpful. Perhaps your local MS Society office would have some referrals or maybe someone else in your area that has MS would have some ideas. As far as muscle spasms go, the stretching might help some. I seem to also be seeing a pattern in myself where if I overdo things physically ( and it doesn't take much!) the spasms get worse. I am trying to learn to rest before I get tired to avoid the spasms. (I think of this as trying to learn an advanced technique; I need some work in that area yet!) I hope this helps some. Adrienne -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!41.15!Adrienne.Barhydt Internet: Adrienne.Barhydt@p15.f41.n105.z1.fidonet.org