Multiple sclerosis is a funny old disease
Sometimes I fall over
Multiple sclerosis is a funny old disease. No it is definitely not funny ha ha. Trying to get my head around continual progression ain’t easy. There are always changes and it catches me out. I just get the hang of what’s happening then there is a bit more progression.
Multiple sclerosis is a funny old disease
Sometimes the progression is really obvious, other people see it. Sometimes I think only I can see the progression. A couple of weeks ago I saw my consultant and I mentioned that there had been little changes.
“Ah yes”, he said. “I see that you are now getting foot drop in your right foot as well”.
I didn’t think he would notice
This new foot drop started few weeks ago. The sole at the toe of my right shoe was beginning to wear away. I have decided to live with this for a bit longer before doing anything about it.
It is when something happens in public
I suppose I’m a bit self-conscious, don’t like to make a fool of myself in front of strangers. I’m going out for a walk several times a week and walk a few hundred metres each time.
At the beginning of September 2017 I will be taking part in a1 km sponsored walk. I need to do a bit of training for this. Not the sort to training where you build up a sweat. I just need to ensure I can manage the distance.
Our house is on a hill
It is only 10 metres until I can turn onto a flat and level cul de sac where I do my ‘training’. A few days ago I went out and did a few lengths. Remember I have to take my rollator; I can’t keep my balance without it
It was not a nice day, raining, cold and quite windy. Typical weather we have been having in August.
I had walked about 500 metres
So there I was turning for home, awkward camber to negotiate and then up the hill towards the house. I had managed this before without any problem. This time it was different. I stopped concentrating for a moment. My left leg locked and I couldn’t bend the knee. I wobbled and before I knew it I was a heap on the pavement.
I could not get up
A woman who was walking past tried to help me up without success. Someone else came to help, it needed two people to get me back on my feet. I had not hurt myself; just a bit shaken up. I thanked them both and soon I was the back inside the house.
Multiple sclerosis is a funny old disease
It took me until the next day to get over this little tumble. The MS had caught me out. Not so funny this time but no broken bones. A lack of concentration and a bit of progression.
Has anything like this happen to you?
My progression is slow, inevitability it will get worse. Also I am sure progress is faster than it used to be. Does this sound familiar? Write in and tell others.
August 2019
Hurt pride. I too have had a tumble, all part of the learning curve of using Travelscoot. I was crossing the road at a dropped kerb when a car appeared and I decided to reverse back onto the pavement. The rear wheels hit the 1 inch kerb, the front wheel lifted and the whole thing tipped backwards (no anti tip wheels on Travelscoot) and we ended up facing skyward! Not too many injuries just sore enbows, a bruise in the middle of my back from the backrest and a mark just below my right eye where my walking stick hit me in the face.
How I didn’t bang my head on the pavement I shall never know! Many people rushed to my aid and hauled me out and up on my feet, such kind people about. I got staight back on the horse with a little more knowlege of Travelscoot”s limitations. I will no longer recomend this machine without serious warnings about it’s shortcomings.
I still love it though! I have to learn not to take risks. (Not in my nature) Hurt pride, could have been worse.
Hello,
Point taken but to be faiir you do raise a few questions. Did the car appear out of nowhere and might it not have been safer just to have kept on going.
I comletely agree with the last line. Gone are the days when I can throw caution to the wind. I too have had a couple of tumbles but I would not change the Travelscoot for anything else.
Sounds like a bad event Patrick. I’ve fallen a lot inside but never outside. I noticed more progression about 9 months ago, but since then I have gone back on LDN and started taking D-Biotin and feel as though I’ve stabilized again, I also feel like I’m climbing the stairs better – not always but sometimes. But really who knows, it may be just a short plateau! However you can definitely walk further than me, I couldn’t manage 1K, I would just collapse with exhaustion! John
Hello
you are right the fall was a bit of bad event, these things happen. I tried LDN a few years ago but I didn’t notice any difference. While I am on the MS-SMART drug trial I am reluctant to take anything else, it finishes in November.
The 1K walk is going to be a big effort but I am determined to complete it, call me stubborn
I have only had MS for 5 years (literally started when I woke one morning) but have had more attacks and decline than people at my MS center who are older than me and had it decades. Sometimes seems unfair but on the other hand I have a great MS team and family & friends so I have no cause for complaint.
Hello,
Yes I have been lucky because the progression has been slow. Yes the ms centres are wonderful the one I go to one in the Chilterns, it is exceptional. I know it sounds odd but I find it quite comforting to see other people at the Center who have the same disease and are not self-conscious. Yup family and friends are really important
Hi Patrick, yes, I have just had a fall and I’m suffering! Last Monday week I was attempting to play golf with some old friends, the oldest being 94 in November, when I lost total concentration when approaching a bunker on the first hole and fell straight in like a sack of coal winding myself and hurting my ribs severely. Eight days later I couldn’t get into bed or out of it and was forced to go to the surgery by my very patient but increasingly concerned wife. Up to the bed incident I had been taking paracetamol alternating with ibuprofen. They have now put me on some codeine but said in passing that improvements may take several weeks! This is the 4th time I have taken a tumble through lack of concentration and the third time my ribs have taken a bashing! When I fall, I have totally no control at all; no time to put out hands or roll over? This will spell the end of my golf I fear after over 50 years of enjoyment as next time there may be a brick wall about. Will the answer be to always take a stick for now and then a rollator perhaps? Not too many options I fear
Hello
Oh dear I do feel very sorry for you. Yes stop concentrating and wallop, I know what you mean. It’s a big step using a stick or a Rollator, put them in a corner of a room and make friends with them. You will not feel such a twit or self-conscious when you go out with them. Just make sure you don’t break a bone that is always my biggest fear
I have had osteoporosis since I was a child. In my sixties it now takes me a lot longer to recover from a fracture. And I just don’t have much strength. I have a pair of kitchen pliers – perfect for getting the plastic foil thing off the top of the milk. Winston Churchill said it best – Keep B***erring On!
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To keep my wheelchair running smoothly, I take the wheels apart to get all the muck (especially hair) out and then lubricate with silicone spray. Does your rollator need similar before the big day ?