People with MS who are active.

[Splendid]

Hello,
I too been on this site for a few months. I am newly diagnosed and 42 years old. I really like this thread because it is upbeat and optimistic.

GenieFL-Thanks for this thread. And, your story of your friend meeting you in the middle was so awesome!! Now that is a cool friend! I agree nobody is claiming we all should do a marathon (I have never been a runner until the elyptical machine was invented!), just promoting exercise and positive attitude...at what ever level we can achieve at the moment!

I have 7 children ages 19 to 2. We go bowling, swimming, t-ball games, walking and sometimes just living the day is active enough! When I can, I ride my stationary bike, or go to the Y for their elyptical. I think when school starts up again and the boys won't miss the Y membership, I might invest in my own elyptical...I do not like the drive time to the Y.

Thanks for the thread. You are correct that it is helpful to the newly diagnosed to see all degrees of the disease!

[PRose]

Biking

I live in a city and always cycled to work, even in the winter (in Canada!)

When I started having leg weakness I stopped for about 1 year. Driving to work each day, passing the cyclists really bummed me out, I really missed it!

So I started to look into my options and found a power-assist bike that still requires you to pedal but has a small motor and battery that can take over if you get tired or need a break. So I'm back to clocking over 30 kms a day!

The leg weakness, stiffness and foot drop disappear on the bike because there is no weight-bearing required. I can't walk more then 15 minutes, but I can bike for over an hour!

[Justsayyes]

I went looking for this info on the mass suit, as I knew someone had used it for footdrop, very interesting and worth a read.

http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthr...=101940&page=2

Thanks to Rosepetals for the info!

[grammyabc]

I think it is so grear that so many of you are active and doing well. May I ask how old you were when diagnosed? If you are diagnosed at a young age do you have more extreme symptoms?

[justacowgirl]

Genie
What a great thread. It has been so inspiring for me to read about what everyone is doing! At every level!!

I hope this continues.

I would love to link up with you Seattle folks......

Justacowgirl
EASTERN Washington State....

[Ceci]

Hi Genie!

Really appreciate you starting this thread. It provides a nice balance to the board.

I've been coming here for the past 10 years and have seen every side of this disease. Experienced quite a few of less than fun side too.

Just as I think the board should be place to vent, I also think it should be a place to share the positive.

I had a few bad years, last year I finally had a turnaround. Managed to bike 25 miles in the Race to Erase MS. I started Tysabri last fall and am seeing some really good changes with my MS. I'm even considering a half marathon next spring. Half walk/half run.

I'm realistic enough to know that I can take a turn for the worst again, but I have to keep moving forward and your thread reminds me of that. Thank you.

Be well,
Ceci

[chilehile]

Thanks to everyone for keeping this thread going. I have been on and off this site for a few months but not really finding what I'm looking for. I think its this thread!

I am extremely active but have been struggling with what my neuro doc says is drop foot for a couple of years which has really cramped my running. I actually think she misdisdiagnosed it and that instead I have bursitis in my hip that's causing leg weakness when it flares up. Anyone have any experience with any of this-- hip problems that cause leg weakness, good exercises for drop foot (if that's what it is) and stories of drop foot resolving itself?

Thanks!

Hi SeattleMS,

My drop foot began as a pain on the top of my foot (first metatarsal and medial cuneiform). I thought it was due to overtraining. I saw an orthopaedist, sports specialist, acupunturist, physical therapist, and even a vascular surgeon. I had x-rays, MRIs, nerve condution tests and a CT scan. I thought I had a running injury and I was despirate to find out why the pain persisted, why my shin (anterior tibialis) started to go numb, and why I started to trip over my foot while running.... After many appointments and consultations, it was determined I had drop foot and the diagnosis came from my neurologist.

I am a marathon runner. I overcome drop foot by wearing an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO). It keeps my foot in a dorsiflex position at a 6 degree angle. I can now run with my head held high because I am not afraid of falling anymore. I was diagnosed in Oct 2006 and I have been wearing an AFO since April 2008. I have run 8 marathons since then, all with the AFO. I had a set back in Oct 2009 and now my thigh is weak and heavy to lift. I have to take walk breaks when I run, but I don't care. I'm slow now, but at least I can still run.

My husband and I just moved to Seattle this month. Shoot me an email if you want to see my AFO. I'll put my email in my profile.

Cheers,
Cheryl

P.S. Genie- keep in touch. Looking forward to when you move here!

[fishead]

Great thread Genie!
Just last week, I hopped in the pool at the YMCA and did 16 laps, plus strength training on arms and legs. Forgot how much I LOVE being in a pool. I grew up taking every kind of swimming lesson possible,then moved on to teaching, then life saving. I adore the water......I suppose FISHead is a very appropriate nickname.

[GenieFL]

Hello,
I too been on this site for a few months. I am newly diagnosed and 42 years old. I really like this thread because it is upbeat and optimistic.

I have 7 children ages 19 to 2. We go bowling, swimming, t-ball games, walking and sometimes just living the day is active enough! When I can, I ride my stationary bike, or go to the Y for their elyptical. I think when school starts up again and the boys won't miss the Y membership, I might invest in my own elyptical...I do not like the drive time to the Y.

Thanks for the thread. You are correct that it is helpful to the newly diagnosed to see all degrees of the disease!

7 children? That alone would wipe me out! You should be proud you can think straight with 7 kids!! I wouldn't have to run if I had 7 kids! hehe

Glad to hear you're doing well! Buying an elyptical i think is a good idea. I have one in the house myself when it's just to hot to go outside.

Genie

[GenieFL]

I live in a city and always cycled to work, even in the winter (in Canada!)

When I started having leg weakness I stopped for about 1 year. Driving to work each day, passing the cyclists really bummed me out, I really missed it!

So I started to look into my options and found a power-assist bike that still requires you to pedal but has a small motor and battery that can take over if you get tired or need a break. So I'm back to clocking over 30 kms a day!

The leg weakness, stiffness and foot drop disappear on the bike because there is no weight-bearing required. I can't walk more then 15 minutes, but I can bike for over an hour!

PRose that's great! This is what I'm talking about. You have some issues but you looked into options and you're still out there doing it! Kudos to you!

MS is going to effect all of us to different degrees. It's up to use to be creative and inventive to get ourselves out there moving and doing what we love! I for one think positive thinking and exercise really helps MS!

You are a great example PRose and role model! Keep it up!

[GenieFL]

I went looking for this info on the mass suit, as I knew someone had used it for footdrop, very interesting and worth a read.

http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthr...=101940&page=2

Thanks to Rosepetals for the info!

Great info Just! Thank you for the post.

Genie

[GenieFL]

I think it is so grear that so many of you are active and doing well. May I ask how old you were when diagnosed? If you are diagnosed at a young age do you have more extreme symptoms?

Grammy,

I was dx last September. I had two or three flares before that over the years but ignored them completely. So I've probably had MS since my late 20's. My MS isn't extreme (knock on wood) for now.

Genie

[GenieFL]

Hi Genie!

Really appreciate you starting this thread. It provides a nice balance to the board.


I had a few bad years, last year I finally had a turnaround. Managed to bike 25 miles in the Race to Erase MS. I started Tysabri last fall and am seeing some really good changes with my MS. I'm even considering a half marathon next spring. Half walk/half run.

I'm realistic enough to know that I can take a turn for the worst again, but I have to keep moving forward and your thread reminds me of that. Thank you.

Be well,
Ceci

Ceci,

Thank you for your kind words! It's people like you who are inspiring and keep me moving forward! 25 miles is a great accomplishment!

I wanted to do this thread just for the reasons you stated. To keep going forward and to be positive! Thank you for all for letting me know it's helpful.

Genie

[GenieFL]

Genie
What a great thread. It has been so inspiring for me to read about what everyone is doing! At every level!!

I hope this continues.

I would love to link up with you Seattle folks......

Justacowgirl
EASTERN Washington State....

Just,

I'll be in WA State next year so we can all hook up!!

I will continue the thread even if it's me talking to myself hehe.

Genie

[GenieFL]

Hi SeattleMS,

My drop foot began as a pain on the top of my foot (first metatarsal and medial cuneiform). I thought it was due to overtraining. I saw an orthopaedist, sports specialist, acupunturist, physical therapist, and even a vascular surgeon. I had x-rays, MRIs, nerve condution tests and a CT scan. I thought I had a running injury and I was despirate to find out why the pain persisted, why my shin (anterior tibialis) started to go numb, and why I started to trip over my foot while running.... After many appointments and consultations, it was determined I had drop foot and the diagnosis came from my neurologist.

I am a marathon runner. I overcome drop foot by wearing an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO). It keeps my foot in a dorsiflex position at a 6 degree angle. I can now run with my head held high because I am not afraid of falling anymore. I was diagnosed in Oct 2006 and I have been wearing an AFO since April 2008. I have run 8 marathons since then, all with the AFO. I had a set back in Oct 2009 and now my thigh is weak and heavy to lift. I have to take walk breaks when I run, but I don't care. I'm slow now, but at least I can still run.

My husband and I just moved to Seattle this month. Shoot me an email if you want to see my AFO. I'll put my email in my profile.

Cheers,
Cheryl

P.S. Genie- keep in touch. Looking forward to when you move here!

Cheryl,

Oh, yes lets keep in touch! It will be so nice knowing some people in Seattle that have MS who I can connect with once I get there. I will put my email in my profile as well (if it's not already there I forget lol) and emailing would be great!

Genie