http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006 May;87(5):723-7. Related Articles, Links


Symptom change with exercise is a temporary phenomenon for people with multiple sclerosis.

Smith RM, Adeney-Steel M, Fulcher G, Longley WA.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. rsmith@msnsw.org.au

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a single exercise session on function, fatigue, and sensory symptoms for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: This pilot study was designed as a before-after trial. Demographic and response-to-exercise measures were taken before exercise, repeated immediately after exercise, and followed up again 24 hours later. SETTING: Three metropolitan centers of an MS society. PARTICIPANTS: A prospective sample of 34 subjects with MS who were referred for physiotherapy for an exercise program and who could attend an MS society center. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects performed an individually prescribed exercise session, which was at a commencement level and included strengthening, stretches, and fitness exercises. Subjects exercised for between 5 to 45 minutes (mean, 17.4 min) at an intensity of 7 to 17 (median, 12) on the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All outcome measures were self-rated by subjects and included the Borg RPE scale, a questionnaire for sensory symptom description, and visual analog scales for rating of fatigue, function, and intensity of sensory symptoms. RESULTS: Subjective levels of fatigue and function immediately postexercise and 24 hours postexercise did not differ significantly from pre-exercise levels. However, over 40% of subjects experienced a temporary increase in number of sensory symptoms, 44% experienced an increase in the intensity of sensory symptoms, and 29% experienced an increase in both number and intensity immediately postexercise. CONCLUSIONS: This small study found that when people with MS undertake exercise at a commencement level, they can expect that sensory symptoms may change temporarily, but they are unlikely to have any deleterious changes in fatigue and function.

Thanks for the post.

This corresponds with my experience, although I'm not diagnosed with anything.

After walking (exercise), I usually have an increase or temporary episode of various sensory symptoms--Lhermitte's, itching, numbness, dizziness.

Thus, even though "outside" heat doesn't seem to bring these things on, "inside" heat does.

Nancy

I've been doing an aquatics program once a week for over a year. I always take my rolling walker to the program. After an hour of exercise in the water, my legs are so wobbly, I must rest, and have extra support to make it to the car. I find it takes my legs about 1-2 hours to recover. The rest of the week I feel so much better because I've used all of those muscles and joints that usually just hang out in a chair.

I really love the aquatics program. I've noticed a big decrease in spasticity and the ability to use my very tight ankles and feet since I started this program. Having said all of that I'm off to the pool for my weekly fun. Betty

Swimming is the only exercise that doesnt cause a pseudo exacerbation for me. The water temperature needs to be cool-ish for that to be the case.

I swim for exercise and find I'm more wobbly immediately afterwards. Yesterday I swam a 1/2 mile and when I got out of the pool I was so wobbly I staggered, fell and smashed my head on a tile wall. Ouch. Boy is my head bruised. I am going tomorrow but will get out of the pool via the steps and go directly to the chair behind it for a few minutes to regain balance a bit.

-Susan

Susan, So sorry to hear about your head injury. I'm sure I'd be on the floor beside you, if I didn't take my rolling walker to the pool side. After an hour of pool exercises even low impact, my legs are worthless and not to be trusted. It takes about 2 - 3 hours for them to come back to normal.

However I feel so much better because I move the rest of my body and joints that I'll just keep going to the pool and hope for a miracle. Betty

I went and got back on the proverbial horse this morning. I only swam 20 laps and got out of the pool on the steps sitting on the top step for a minute. Silly, but I was apprehensive. Boy do I have a bruise at the top of my thigh. Not black and blue, just black. Yuck. But I did it.

-Susan

Whoa Susan. That must have been a very bad experience!

After I swim my mile, I do notice that my legs feel heavier for about a minute or so. But Your situation sounds more intense. Good idea to just sit in the cool water for a bit while your body core cools down, and then get out.

Susan, Well it happened to me today too. I went to my aquatics program. My legs always feel like noodles when I complete the workout. I take my rolling walker and keep it at pool side to help me walk safely to the dressing room and car. I usually sit at the gym and drink some coffee to allow my legs to recover before starting the long trek to my car. Today I needed to get home quickly to meet with a contractor about redoing our bathroom to an ADA safety shower.

I was feeling good, However when I got to my car and was putting my rolling walker into the back of my station wagon, I lost my balance, fell backwards, and hit my head. Luckily no broken bones. However I do have a headache, and probably a mild concussion. Luckily there were a few people in the parking lot to help me get up.

How I hate these MS falls! I keep wondering how long I can stay lucky and not break a bone or two. I never miss taking my calcium. Trying to keep those bones strong and protected from my many falls.

I can't stay home forever. What's an MS person to do? Betty

Oh my goodness ssusan and bafriend! Those are scary incidents!

Thank goodness it wasn't worse, but still... sounds horrible. I hope you both take it easy. Sometimes even a few more minutes of exercise is too much. I find for myself that its so important to not take it to the point of total wobblyness but stop some time before that so I'm not quite so unstable after and can still function.

I hope you both heal with no long term effects.