I think what is going on is the INVOLUNTARY nervous system is showing it is messed-up.

I believe that the odd way our nervous system works normally is that when we are sitting down that a signal is send repeatedly to tell the muscles to "NOT CONTRACT".

In MS that signal gets "lost" so the muscles quietly, slowly contract.

When we try to get up it is impossible or very difficult because the legs are in this contracted state.

If one gets fully upright and takes a few small steps (very slowly of course) the VOLUNTARY nervous system "takes over" and after the third of fourth step we are able to walk much much better. It fact at this time a cane is not a necessity but it does help a lot in getting up and taking those first steps.

jackD