Falls
I’m a frequent faller, its a fact of life
I’m a frequent faller, its all because I have multiple sclerosis. My left leg is the culprit, I have drop foot and drop leg. It must have started sometime in the 1990’s, my diagnosis was in 1996. What started as an occasional trivial event now has a major impact on my life. At first the […]
Would a spiky ball foot massage help me with my balance?
I was toppling onto the floor far too often and I could see a wheelchair hovering over me 🙁 So, I arranged to see a physiotherapist at the Chilterns MS Therapy centre. At the start of every appointment the physiotherapist massaged my feet and ankles with a spiky ball to improve my balance. Would a […]
Walking round the supermarket with a trolley
When I started taking Fampridine the physiotherapist was insistent that I take more exercise. I mentioned that I go to the supermarket every day and do the shopping on The Trike (3 wheel light-weight mobility scooter). Her eyes lit up, “I know what you can do” she said. “This is an idea. Walking round the supermarket […]
Just another little fall
In the kitchen I must use a stool on wheels. The Wife and I were cooking supper last Sunday and everything was getting a bit fraught. Not enough pairs of hands to prepare everything. I moved forward on my stool but a wheel got stuck in the grouting between two floor tiles. The stool stopped […]
Nobody mentioned grab rails
I guess a few of you who are reading this have got that irritating little disease, multiple sclerosis. It’s the way it advances. Step by step it creeps up on you. It’s funny how something that wasn’t a problem changes and becomes a problem. Even worse, suddenly its an ‘in your face’ problem. We had […]
Multiple sclerosis is a funny old disease
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 […]
Stumble fall crunch and wallop
Monday evening We had finished watching episode 5 of Line of Duty. No spoilers I promise. Program finished and we were done. All that was left was to clear up the room and toddle off to bed. The Wife had taken the glasses through to the kitchen. All I had to do was switch off […]
Another milestone in the inevitable progression of my MS
Something has definitely changed in the last few weeks. It was not an ‘Oh my God’ moment as in a flash of inspiration. Instead it was an ‘Oh my God’ realisation and it took a few weeks for me to understand. Let’s call it another milestone in the inevitable progression of my MS. Life moves […]
MS claims another activity this time a close shave
I have suffered from multiple sclerosis for more years than I care to remember. Quite how I have managed to live this long has been a big surprise to both me and The Wife. Life has been a series of close shaves. Far more than I would ever want to admit. Diagnosed with MS in […]
How to have a happy Christmas dinner
The problem is how to have a happy Christmas dinner. I’m the one who needs to take things gently,. Pogressive MS, this dreadful disease makes me clumsy and inept. I can easily fall over or lose my balance so it is vital that I spread the work over the day. That’s the theory, if only […]
Its when the unexpected happens
Its when the unexpected accident happens. Inevitably I get stressed and this feeling lasts for a couple of hours. When I am feeling fragile it does not take much to tip me over the edge. Most of the time I’m as tough as old boots. Its when the unexpected happens The problem is the MS. My memory and sense […]
Do my morning exercises
As little as ten years ago I would wake up and get out of bed without a thought. Such bliss, such joy. Now when I wake up I always feel horribly stiff. It’s a huge effort to turn over onto my back so I can swing my legs out of bed and sit on the […]
Sticky electrodes and my FES
I started using a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) in January 2014. It has been my game changer. Without the sticky electrodes and my FES I would probably have to use a wheelchair around the house. Hold on a moment, I would definitely have to use a wheelchair. Instead I have a different life. Sticky electrodes and my […]
Visit The Shoulder Consultant Again
I had an operation to repair the rotator cuff in my left shoulder in August 2014. There is still an occasional twinge in my left shoulder. Shortly after the operation, the consultant said he could do a hip replacement in less time than it took to repair my shoulder. Only then did I realise it […]
The FES Really Changed My Life
The FES really changed my life. I am quite sure it was the Functional Electrical Stimulator otherwise known as an FES. Originally fitted in December 2014. I immediately stopped falling over with monotonous regularity. Instead I stayed upright, it changed my life for the better . So many people commented that I looked better and […]
At Night I Can’t Just Fall Into Bed
It’s the evening, I’m tired and its bedtime but at night I can’t just fall into bed. I have to go through a ritual every evening before I can get into bed and start reading my book. Getting undressed and removing my FES is quite a palaver. If I do this standing up I’m guaranteed to […]
Falls, what can I do?
Falls are a surprisingly common event for people suffering from a progressive illness. I have extremely bad balance foot drop in my left leg. The question is quite simple, ‘What can I do to reduce the chances of having a fall?’ I’m constantly improving my strategy in an attempt to stay on my feet and […]
Are You a Frequent Faller? I Am.
Only too often people with SPMS are described as frequent fallers; I am. There are usually only a couple of reasons but you ignore them at your own peril. Drop foot I have a leg that does not do what it is told, sometimes known as drop foot. I’m unable to lift my left […]
Croydex Bath Mat
The Croydex bath mat uses slip resistant rubber or PVC and phthalate free materials. You probably have a slippery bath or slippery shower with nothing to hold onto. Imagine life should you break a bone. If you have poor balance or you are not steady on your feet then give a non-slip mat for the […]
A sense of balance
Many MSers who have SPMS do not have very good sense of balance. Now imagine this, you are momentarily distracted, you lose your sense of balance and fall over. As you fall over you put out a hand to protect yourself and you dislocate a shoulder. I’m guilty as charged. Do you see what I […]
Falling Over Again, 25th February
It’s something we, I mean those who have balance issues, are always frightened of; falling over and then a visit to hospital to repair the injury. Well I did it again. How did I do it this time? You must have seen the famous Only Fools and Horses episode where Delboy leans against a bar […]
New Year’s Day
We had a small party at home on New Year’s Eve for 2013. I was woken by the dogs at about 9.30 in the morning on New Year’s day so I stumbled down stairs to let them out for a pee. I was coming back upstairs, took a left turn onto the landing and wallop, […]
