M.S issues...

[marie66mm]

Hello.

I suffer from walking issues especially when the weather is too cold or too hot. Any advise , please ?

[lbenmaor]

For heat I suggest many layers of clothes and a cooling towel which you can

get on Amazon.com. Let me know how you do.

Best Wishes,

Leslie

[marie66mm in reply to lbenmaor]

Thank you. Please, i need to know how to battle the issues of spasticity / walking due to cold ?

Maria.

[greaterexp in reply to marie66mm]

Do you take any muscle relaxers? They seem to help prevent the spasms I usually get in the cold. I try to wear layers in the fall and winter. I have some ultra thin leggings and Cuddle Duds or something similar I wear under my pants. I also keep under my heated throw when I’m sitting to prevent that tightening which happens when I get chilled. I also have some hand warmers and foot warmers, though I haven’t used them yet. They’re the types hunters use and can be found in the sporting goods areas. I made a fleece blanket sort of thing for my feet and legs that I bring with me everywhere to keep my legs and feet warmer in places like church or restaurants. It’s like a pocket for my lower legs with an extension that comes over my lap.

I hope you find some things that help.

[marie66mm in reply to greaterexp]

Thank you for your precious advices.

[Peruzzot in reply to greaterexp]

I'm going to make one of your fleece pockets. That is an awesome idea!

[RoyceNewton]

Practise practise practice and when you are really down practices more.

[greaterexp]

Check mymsaa.org for their cooling vest program, too.

[marie66mm]

Thank you , i have a cooling vest.

[rjoneslaw]

For the heat the cooling vest would work go to mymssa.org

For the winter layers and a long coat I also take tizanidine and baclofen which helps

[marie66mm in reply to rjoneslaw]

Thank you so much for your good tips.

[Midgey_Midge06 in reply to marie66mm]

Baclofen and tizanidine help me as well. My worst spasms r the MS hugs - without baclofen i wud scream out in pain every time i moved.

[pamgarner]

we all have alot in common,I guess it is what works for you,trial and error,some times it is exercise helps,diet helps some,i do massage only on my legs,helps for a few days.I have a half dozen canes,a rollator,and a transport chair, nothing and i mean nothing is going to keep me from going,I am just mean enough to make that happen

[marie66mm in reply to pamgarner]

Please,i need to make a massage. Can , you tell me which product oroil i can use ?

Thank you.

Maria.

[pamgarner in reply to marie66mm]

she massages my legs with a product called bio freeze lotion,which has a mild pain reliever in it also and she does warm it up,feels wonderful

[Amore55 in reply to pamgarner]

The good thing about BioFreeze is you can buy it at Walmart/Walgreens etc. I use it often. Kelly

[cshells72000]

I use fleece leggings and buy them a size larger than I usually take. Sizing up helps me to get my pants on and off easier. The compression around my legs seems to help with with spasticity. I wear them under my clothes. I tried cuddle duds but they didn't help for the spasticity. Be forewarned though it can get really hot so I make sure my tops are ones that won't get me overheated and I wear a sweatjacket in case I get chilly. MM seems to have only helped waist on down (only certain strains). Tizanadine although it doesn't seem to help me that much or I'm just used to it. I just feel tired on that med. Hope that helps.

[MarkUpnorth]

You do whatever you have to. I used a cane for many years, would borrow my 80+ year old mother in law's walker when visiting, tracking poles on the trails. Long underwear when the snow falls, cooling vests and lightweight clothing when hot, though I had a windbreaker for a winter coat for decades, adding a sweater when the mercury went below zero. But yes, as others have said. Don't give up. Keep on going, If you don't, you won't be going anywhere. That was me for a period of a couple years. It's hard to get moving again once you stop. Now I make sure I get at least 10,000 steps a day, verified by the tracker on my ankle 24/7. And the cane...it hangs like a trophy, on the wall! Okay, used the tracking poles hiking a trail at Dripping Springs near Austin TX. But my wife used one too!

[Midgey_Midge06 in reply to MarkUpnorth]

How do u get 10,000 steps a day? Just curious. My best is 6,000. I walk on my treadmill every day without fail and its a long walk to the mailbox (1/4 mile round trip) i used to hike but where i live its not possible to even go outside for a walk.

[MarkUpnorth in reply to Midgey_Midge06]

It starts with having a poor memory and storing at least half my cooking gear and foodstuffs in the basement fridge/deep freeze, so, every time you reach for something, it's many steps away! Then, combine that with okay, now that I made it to the basement, why did I do so? Go back up to the kitchen....oh yeah...go back down!

Actually, it's also every time I go to a store, say the grocery store, be sure to walk every isle. Don't miss anything! And, to get more steps, scramble your shopping list and pull them in that scrambled order! Hint, to get anything done, you really have to move! I can push a shopping cart fast! Don't forget to park at the far end of the parking lot!

Okay, just kidding? A bit? Though if the weather permits, walk the neighborhood, the local forest preserve trails, luckily there are many in minutes from where we live. If the weather's bad, we also live a few minutes from several malls, including one that held the #2 largest for years. Now, even mall of America in Minnesota is nothing compared to Dubai..... Anyway. Mall walking is another no cost option. All better than a treadmill or track. You get to see the outdoors / wildlife, or people busy shopping. Malls too crowded? Early pre opening mall walking hours are great! I could walk to the mall. It's at most a couple miles, but it's a very walker/biker unfriendly commute due to heavy traffic, lack of sidewalks,.....

When away from home, always looking for new places to walk. That's half the Fun!

Yes, it took years to get the steps, especially when I started using a cane to physically move my right leg that was kind of like dead meat? But, no matter what doesn't work..just keep trying. It will get better. After 5.5 years, no cane!

We have a treadmill still set up in an empty bedroom. The cat sleeps on it from time to time. I guess I could find an old TV, and get even more steps? Yeah, the only time I turn on the tv is when tired at the end of the day. Then I can watch the same programs over and over, because I'm half asleep by that point, and can't remember what I watched the next day? Don't need a lot to pick from that way!

[Midgey_Midge06 in reply to MarkUpnorth]

Ya i am the same way with the tv! As soon as a show is over i cudnt tell u how it ended to save my life!

I enjoy music while on the treadmill. I guess i just need to keep making my time on the treadmill. Driving isnt always an option for me and the town i live in doesnt even have a starbucks so u can imagine the size of our “mall”. 🤣🤣

[Diva1976]

Definitely make sure feet is warm in winter. Proper shoes to handle climate. I noticed before when I had on some booties and my feet got wet. It was the worst. Sent a chill through body and it locked up! Making it hard for me to walk! My feet was too cold from rain. Suede booties in the rain is a No No! In summer make sure you are wearing light weight clothing.