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Dragging my leg is becoming an issue

Apparently, I have a lesion in my brain on the left side. Nothing has changed on my MRI's for ten years, but my my leg still drags. Oddly, the foot-drop has gone away. However, I still have issues raising the one leg at the hip. I am losing muscle tone in the leg although I am quite muscular and push myself to move when when tired. Working on the eliptical at the gym, ride my horse almost every day, garden and tend to my chickens which is more work than you think! Swim. Does anyone have this issue of dragging their leg and may has some ideas on how to support it? Maybe through strengthening exercises and diet?

  1. Hi I am sending over this article with treatment options, I really hope this can help you: https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/foot-drop. Jill (Team Member)

    1. Thank you for the thought, but I don't have foot drop.

      1. Just so everyone is aware, I had foot drop 5 years ago for about 3 years, and it no longer exists. Symptoms are so strange with MS. They come and go, so be positive and KEEP MOVING! In response to my question, I have recently been to the gym and was followed by a trainer that had a background in PT. Its so difficult to find a personal trainer that understands MS and also is positive about healing. He introduced me to one of his clients that had recently had a Stroke and is recovering rapidly. Not every stroke or MS patient is the same but the main thing is motivation. To have goals, and be sure to relax when you are tired!

    2. Hi, !

      I know a number of our community members have talked about leg weakness and/or leg dragging, so I thought I would share some of their stories. One of our former health leaders wrote a lot about his leg weakness, including in this piece he wrote -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/what-does-leg-weakness-feel-like. Another health leader wrote about how stress impacts her MS, including her legs and her ability to walk here -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/stress-reduce. And, in regards to possible tips, this member writes about her PT and regaining her ability to walk, so I am sharing it here -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/stories/i-hold-the-power-to-heal. Hopefully, you will find some helpful tips and tricks and, if nothing else, some solidarity in knowing that you are not the only person experiencing this. I would definitely keep track of this symptom and see if you can notice any patterns or possible triggers and talk to your doctor about it, if you haven't done so already. I hope this helps!

      Best, Erin, Team Member.

      1. So I have other issues which include two areas in my back that have Spondylolosthesis, and spinal stenosis, stage 2/3 osteoperosis in my knee (From a broken leg), tendon issues in my right ankle and of course, MS. I eat well and ride my horse every day, take care of my chickens and gardens, I am a fine artist so I work in the studio, am head of my book club with my International artist friends, swim, travel , am in 2 choirs, and do Kundalini yoga 1 to 2 times per week (which works on the lymphatic system)- which I think is the biggest life saver). I am 63 and was diagnoses 15 years ago. I have accepted that this is a part of my life and try my best not to be negative. I have no issues with friends (even though I drag my leg and get tired in the heat) and am planning to have another murder mystery dinner at my house with minimal food and drinks, which by the way, I write. I think I have actually improved my life after being diagnosed, defining the situation so that I knew how to improve it. My doc said to rest when you're tired and she is so right. REST WHEN YOU'RE TIRED, preferably with a glass of wine! Also I am taking vitamin D and B12 a few times per week which may be helping. D gives you energy.

      2. , man! I am younger than you, though not by too much, (I'm almost 50) and you're more active than I am! Wow! I like that you don't seem to let ANYTHING keep you down when you have things you want to do. That's pretty awesome. I know I have made some positive changes in my life since receiving serious diagnoses, so I agree with your there.

        Thanks for sharing what works for you and I would love to hear how that murder mystery party goes, when it happens. My parents used to host some and they were always so much fun!

        Best, Erin, Team Member.

    3. And yes, absolutely STRESS sets off many illness symptoms sometimes in them forms of rashes, stomach aches, or headaches. I believe that we all are susceptible to something (illnesses that are genetically carried in our genes) which may be woken by our surroundings, such as a toxic person or tragic situation. I am not a doctor but I read a lot and listen to my body, talk to people and have a very good doctor. Just getting ready to meet friends for dinner causes stress. And stress comes in different forms for everyone. Best thing... try too be chill and have a good day, learn something new, and plan out where the chairs are!

      1. you forgot one really important thing: get rid of the throw rugs! My mother decorated the family lake house with throw rugs around every corner, and when we join the family at the lake, the first hour is spent gathering up all the throw rugs and putting them in the washer and then in the dryer and NEVER putting them back on the floor.

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