[kicker]

I am 59, dxed with PPMS in 2002. For years I thought despite things I read "This isn't so devastating" Then boom, boom, boom. Foot drag, Canadian crutches, walker, power chair, pain and discomfort, on various meds for incontinence, but never a spasm. Now, no pain, left side does not work but can feel a hair, ib a chair but seem plateaued. WTF!?? Always waiting for the other shoe to drop. The years before dx and a few years before and after were wham bam. But now never nap, take Amantadin and nothing else, No meds (Oxybutin, etc.),dry mouth seems better. Don't know what to expect. I play it day by day.I still can't walk and pee every 3 hours but sleep through night.

[kicker]

Can self-toilet with one leg pivot and grab bar. Yes, it is sad I have that to be proud of.

[kicker]

Time to buy a new chair. Since I am 24/7 in a power chair, this is important (and very $$$!)

Any advice. Do know I want dependable (been pleased by my Invacare TDX-SP), tilt mechanism. flip up footrest (must have for self-toileting, air,gel cushion. Any thoughts? Experiences? Can't get on a scooter.

[agate]

Originally Posted by kicker

Time to buy a new chair. Since I am 24/7 in a power chair, this is important (and very $$$!)

Any advice. Do know I want dependable (been pleased by my Invacare TDX-SP), tilt mechanism. flip up footrest (must have for self-toileting, air,gel cushion. Any thoughts? Experiences? Can't get on a scooter.

Why not get another Invacare TDX-SP? Looks to me as if it has a flip up footrest but I did find this announcement on the Webpage:

Invacare has entered into a consent decree of injunction with the FDA that may limit our ability to provide this product.

Not sure what that means but is there a reason why you need to get a new chair, kicker?

I've been lucky enough not to need a power chair but have a manual one and have tried a few power chairs. I haven't had enough experience with them to know anything much. I'd be inclined to go for the lightest weight chair I could find but that might mean a less stable chair, and that wouldn't be safe.

[SallyC]

http://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.co...linical-trial/

[msbluis]

Hi Kicker,
I would consider your halt in progression something to be VERY pleased about. Let's hope it's permanent!

Have you met with your neuro and asked him or her about their knowledge of progression stopping?

We all wish the best for you ...maybe you could clone your blood/nervous system and share your unique good fortune!

Wishing you the best!

[kicker]

My heart is broken. My neuro left me. Well, not just me, the hospital he was with. He's gone into research, I told him to call me if he finds a cure.

We had years together but doctors leave (like they have their own lives or something!). If a problem came up he answered my e-mail within 24 hours, usually sooner. He never pretended he was going to cure me of PP but helped any problems I got. I have a new doctor, sure she's very capable (from NIH, now with Johns Hopkins (I'm very close to Baltimore) but I'll be 60 this year, I don't see much happening. I'm either plateauing or something, swear I pee less and (knock wood) haven't had UTI's in years. Used to get them a lot, had one I called UTI from Hell. Now although in a chair, not always sure if it's age or MS affecting me. But who knows what will happen tomorrow? Always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[kicker]

I know MS put me in a chair but other stuff, well I don't know what causes it. Friends my age are getting stuff and don't have MS.

[agate]

I don't know if it's any comfort to you, but at least two people around here are about 15 years older than you and still coping. One of them is myself.

I recently read something in the research on MS stating that in some people MS seems to reach a plateau after a certain age--I believe it was around 55. It doesn't get any better but if it gets worse, it's a very slow worsening, hardly noticeable.

I'm sorry I don't have a link to that article handy.

[kicker]

Agate, you do make me feel better. Nobody has a Crystal ball, stuff happens to everyone (nobody goes through untouched) but worry never stops stuff from happening. Shoot, I don't like MS but don't like this aging stuff either!