Ouch. So sorry you fell, Betty. The physical therapist suggested I do some weighting/unweighting moves and side to side when I am getting out of pool and holding on to railing. I tried it and he's right-it did help me some in terms of regaining equilibrium. I haven't been able to swim this week due to a really really stiff neck. I'd hoped to go yesterday, but woke up unable to turn my head again. Maybe tomorrow. I have cut down from 1/2 mile to 25 laps so I am a little more stable upon getting out.

Glad you didn't break anything. It took about 10 days for my head to feel normal after concussion. Sorry to hear you fell.

-Susan

Regardless of what you do for exercise you need to give your body time relax before moving on. Getting your exercise in a pool will help with keeping your body temp down. However, you could still have a problem with weakness, balance, sensory type symptoms, or whatever symptoms you have with your MS.

Try sitting at the edge of the pool for a bit to let things get back to normal before standing. After you have gotten dressed and if there is a chair, couch ect. out in the lobby sit out there for a little bit to make sure you feel stable.

You cannot or at least it's not a good idea to be in a hurry after you have exercised....bad things happen when in a hurry and you have MS.

Bafriend and Ssuan I hope both of you are doing better.

Exercise
 

I used to look like I was drunk when I would walk away from my exercise class. That's when I got my "I have MS" card from the Rocky Mountain MS Center. It says:

(My name and address and emergency contact)

The person named on this card has multiple sclerosis and may have any or all of the following symptoms:Loss of balance or coordination
Difficulty walking or writing
Numbness or partial paralysis
Double or blurred vision
Slurred speach
Extreme fatigue

Snoopy, excellent advise. I promised myself that I will always have the time to sit and equilibrate after my aquatics program or I won't go. I notice these untimely falls always occur during a time I'm feeling really good and think I have this disease under control.

Susan, Are you doing these weighting/unweighted moves and side to side moves on land or in the water? I really wish I could still swim. Swimming really gives me severe leg cramps. The aquatics program is much easier for me. When I first started I did have some cramping of my feet, however that's much better and my foot flexion has really improved after more than a year of this program.

Today I'm staying home and doing nothing. I want to make sure this concussion is under control. I had some prednisone which I promptly took to lessen the symptoms of headache and probable concussion. Plan to taper it off over the next 3 days. My head feels almost normal today. You might want to consider a couple days of prednisone for your stiff neck.

MS always offers us a new surprise and reminder that we are not cured. After a fall like yesterday, it's sure hard to stay optimistic. However I'll be back at the pool in a couple of days as the aquatics has helped me more than any other therapy I've done. Betty

I don't usually think I have this disease under control....well, at least most of the time:rolleyes:

I understand the *feeling really great* part, that's also when I fall or get hurt. It's almost like a natural high, I feel really good and seem to have alot of energy and I'm happy to the point of being *giddy*

It's at those times I get careless. I have learned to slow myself down when I feel like that but I really have to focus on doing that.

Goodness! Sorry to hear about your falls. Hope you mend quickly.

I had one bad year where I fell five times rollerblading. The fifth fall meant an ambulance and a miserable year and a half in physio.

I know exercise is supposed to make you feel better. Since I don't have a dx and over the years my doctors told said I was imagining things, I would push and push myself to exercise only to feel horrible afterwards. I can honestly say exercise does not make me feel better.

Snoopy: I understand about the "slowing down part", when one feels good it's too easy to think we are normal again. My head is in my twenties, my body isn't and when I fall, I don't bounce. :) I keep having to remind myself to walk carefully.

Cricket,

Don't push your exercise. With or without a diagnosis you need to take exercise slowly and work under what your capable of. If your falling on rollerblades DON'T use them;)

No pain, no gain IS NOT the way to approach exercise. It's also very important to cool down afterwards, especially if your heat sensitive. I always take a cool shower after exercise - not only do I smell better afterwards but it helps me recoup my energy:).

Cool Shower !!!! Why didn't I think of that.

I actually go to a warm water pool for my aquatics class. It's never very hot and I have no problems with the exercises. I just don't linger in the pool when class is over. Last year I exercised in a regular temp pool and had the same problems with muscle fatigue post exercise. I actually enjoy the class more in the warmer water.

I'll keep going to the class because once my legs recover from the exercises, I always feel so much better, it's such a help to stretch out the other muscles in my mostly sitting body. Snoopy thanx for the tip. Betty

Hi Betty,
I am doing those wighting/ unweighting beginning on the stairs in the water (holding onto the railing) and then out of the water touching the wall for balance. I am hoping to go swimming in the morning. This stiff neck is still hanging around. Think I'll try at least a few laps. The day I fell and the next I stayed really quiet. I just didn't feel right. Hope you're feeling better.

-Susan