For years, I did not like going down stairs because my legs shook lightly. It's getting worse, so I have to go down very slow. And I also don't like escalators any more because I feel wobbly on them, with my legs shaking while standing still.
What's odd is for a while, I've also had what feels like increased muscle or a tightening/heaviness to my thighs. Yet, my legs are getting weaker. Does anyone else experience this?
Yes haven't been on escalators for many years. I'm told it's all about neural pathways and their messages with brain. Keep up repetitive actions where we can. Xx
Yes, I think I do too, my thighs feel muscular but my calfs are weak—recently I bought an exercise bike.
BTW I always go down the stairs backwards.
me too!!!!!!
Hi, ASally! Have you found anything that helps? I'm been trying to exercise more for years since my legs became weaker. But it hasn't helped. I can't walk as far/long as I used to, can't swim as much as I did. I also tried yoga for balance, but it hasn't helped.
I have no ataxia diagnosis, but I have the symptoms. So not sure if it's caused by something like MS or something else. I don't know if the tightness in my legs is from a bad signal from my brain or something like spasticity. Whatever is happening, it's truly annoying
I haven't tried going down stairs backwards, but will try that.
one of the things I am trying to do, is loose weight, I am loosing weight slowly but it gives me a boost! Anything that makes you feel better about yourself helps, I think you are in the same situation as me, try going down the stairs backwards, have you got 2 rails? If not, get them, do you have a bath or shower? We have a bath with a shower, I use a bathboard, wouldnt be without it, also have 2 grab rails above the bath, also how do you sleep? Try breathing exercises, they do work. I will try anything!
Not sure why you havent been diagnosed yet?
I don't know why neuro I saw, 5 years ago, couldn't identify the problem. I only learned about ataxia when I found videos of people who did tandem gait like me. One had MS with ataxia and the other with cerebellar ataxia. He was a very young neuro, and it was easier for him to tell him it was in my head, meaning I was faking it. I wouldn't even now how to make my body shake doing tandem gait, and I had no clue about even how it was used for a neuro exam before that. Our HC in the US also has serious issues. I've read on many sites how patients, like me, are told it's stress, or you're depressed or you're it's just a figment of your imagination. I've read on here about others undiagnosed,.
Thanks for the replies. It's helpful information!
Hope the exercise bike helps you, Brent. I have one of those pedal things, that I can pedal while sitting on my couch.
Get onto dopamine if you are not already, keeps things moving smoothly
Thanks, but I ham not diagnosed, so can't get medication.
Please get a diagnosis from your doctor, you may have some other significant problem with your brain. Blogs or Goggle are NOT the place for self diagnosis 
Thanks. I am making another appointment with a new neurologist. After seeing a Rheumatologist for unrelated things, she told me I also had to see a neurologist.
Not self-diagnosing myself. But I have majority of the ataxia symptoms. So if it looks like a ducks and quacks like a duck, well…
I have been busy on the MS a d other forums since trying to see if my ataxia symptoms are a secondary cause.
