Re: Walking - Temporary or Permanent
FHargr3092(AT)aol.com
Thu, 26 Feb 1998 09:21:30 EST
Nora, Jan H here. Congrats for getting back
on your feet!! I 'lost my legs' Sunday, April 30,
1996 and I was back to walking pretty steadily
by August. My gait was not normal nor is it as
it was prior to onset of TM, but I continue to im-
prove. I do continue to use my husband's arm if
we are walking on uneven terrain, on long walks,
or in crowds. I use the shopping cart to keep me
steady while I grocery shop. I do find that I am
much more cautious when I am in a crowd, but
that is getting better, too. I have only once had
a real scare as my leg went totally numb when
I had overdone and I wasn't sure I could get back.
When I say totally numb, I mean that I couldn't
feel the pressure that I usually feel when I take
a step. I am still without feeling on the outside
but the pressure feeling has come along and it
helps with walking to a great extent. I think that
you will continue to see progress--you just have
to keep plugging away. My PT told me when I
first came home from the hospital that walking on
my treadmill would help so I now do that for a mile
daily and intend to add distance as I can manage.
I do think that my legs are steadier since I have
started the exercise.
I also have the muscle spasm when I roll over in
bed just right, believe it's called Lhermitte's Sign.
The intensity of that has diminished over time and
no longer happens every morning when I arise.
Hope you continue to see progress. Know we're
all in this together!!
JanH