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.

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

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