Has anyone been able to rebuild muscle in their weaker limb?
I asked a doctor about evening up the muscle in my weaker leg by increasing the reps in my exercise routine.He told me to keep the repetitions the same for each leg. Wouldn't increasing the reps on the weaker leg get it there faster?
Research shows and what I’m doing with good results is fewer reps and as heavy as u can do is way to build muscle for MS. Do one leg/arm at a time and max weight u can do for 8 reps may differ from side to side.
Yep.I am able to build muscle in my "good" limbs, no problem.I have always done the same reps for each leg but now am wondering if increasing weight on the weaker leg will "even things out",so to speak.Do you know if physical therapists work one limb harder than others in any cases?
I just re-read your response. So really there is only one way to find out! 
My MS PT said yes, work them 1 at a time because u can do different weight on each. To build muscle go low reps and the maximum amount weight you can do for 8 reps. Increase # reps builds muscle endurance but not strength. Both have there purpose.
Thanks for your patience with me! I appreciate your answer.You've cleared up something I have been wondering about since that conversation with that doctor.
Brain-fog is alive and well!
erase is correct u can rebuild by doing more strength training but be sure to rest after each exercise and u must have a complete day to recover if not u will damage the muscles
Yep,that's true.My general routine is upper body,MWF,lower body-T,Th,Sa,treadmill every day but Fri. It works pretty well and I get a lot of reading done on the treadmill as I am not going at a fast pace.(I wish)
You can do abs every day 😊
Unfortunately,I do them 6X week and I dislike it just as much as when I first started.Lol! My dog recently started to lay right next to me as I do this and he is no help whatsoever
If he lies on you, it’s added resistance 😂😂😂
LOL! 
Agree with erash, same reps, increase weight until you reach max. Husband has always been athletic, all sports. I’m about half of what he is, but losing muscle mass fast!
Since I have been in Missouri and living out in the woods, I have to walk my dogs up and down hills six or seven times a day. I have noticed that I am stronger than I have been in years. Just my observation on my body. Love, Kelly
That's great! Try to keep it up as long as possible.when I was first diagnosed,my friend's mom who had MS,told me to use it or lose it. I believe she was right in my case. I've found that if I slack for a few days,it's that much harder to get going again.
I used to take my dog birdwatching with me and we both loved it. Then,things got tougher and I switched to the treadmill for more stability. I am hoping to build up to the outdoor walks again as there is nothing like it!
I think you are right. It was really warm and sunny all through December here. I think the fresh air and sunshine was really good for me. It is funny, me and the dogs are ready for bed at 7 every night! Love, Kelly
We finally got snow.That is one of my favorite times for walks.No bugs or heat and it was much easier to see the birds.
Easier to get to sleep too as you know.
I swear I will get back to going for outdoor walks!I really do miss it.
My daughter who is a Physical Therapy Assistant tells me that when you have MS and a weak side you are exercising differently than you did before. You aren’t necessarily trying to build muscle, rather you are trying to maintain function. Most importantly you don’t want to exercise to fatigue.of your muscles. That means, less weight with same reps or same weight with less reps. Water exercise is best for me and PT exercises supplement exercise in water or is weather doesn’t permit, peddling on stationary peddling
I understand wanting to maintain function but why wouldn't one want to increase strength in the weaker leg?
What has me the most curious is how MS would affect muscle development in the weaker leg. If one does the same reps with the same weight for both legs,yet the "bad" leg remains more atrophied,is it even possible to regain/increase muscle mass in that leg? If so,why not hit it harder during workouts with more reps/heavier weights-whatever your method?
I suppose the negative might be fatigue or soreness of some sort.
If you're not getting the proper nerve signals to that leg,will that even happen? Or could one counteract that atrophy by working it harder than the good leg? Even with compromised nerve function in the bad leg one should still be able to reap some benefit,correct? Or is muscle development limited to the amount of damage to the nerves that affect the bad leg?(I suppose I could have just asked that question as it is at the crux of what I have been wondering about-Lol!)
The only time I might have trouble during a workout is when it is very hot and humid and my fan breaks.Lol
That's a great question. I would increase the reps.
I had a bit of trouble phrasing it right.I suppose it can't hurt to try...or maybe it can.I'll find out.
I would do whatever your doc or PT says. Each case is different but I try to exercise consistently without exhausting myself.
medical complications
Muscle Spasms/Spasticity
Severe muscle pain after walking
Better Nuroligist Different Diagnose keeping my fingers crossed...
