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#1 | |||
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Elder
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I've been reading about foot drop. This flare that I've got has all the symptoms of foot drop. So, I'm a bit worried. I'm going to call my neuro tomorrow and see if I can go see him because this is really freaking me out.
I want to ask him about an AFO (ankle foot orthotic brace) or two, since both legs are numb. Just wondering if anyone here has ever used one and what they were like. Anyone know if you can drive while wearing an AFO? Especially a stick shift?? I know I've only been taking the 'roids for two days, but this is really worrying me a lot. Some of the numbness let up last night for a few hours, but now it's back, and I can feel more in the left leg, which wasnt as bad yesterday. (it's been mostly the right leg since this started) I've almost fallen down a couple of times, which scares the crap right out of me. So, anyone here who might have used an AFO, any comments about them? Are they comfortable? What kind did you use? How much do they cost? Still using one?? Anyone ever use the AFO's that electrically stimulate the nerves?
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~ Never do anything that you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics. ~ Author Unknown ~ ~ "Animals have two functions in society. To taste good and to fit well." ~ Greg Proops, actor ~ |
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#2 | |||
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Grand Magnate
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I think AMN had an AFO. You can message her at FB, she goes by CindyAMN. (we are not friends, FB suggests a CindyAMN to me as a potennial friend, I assume it's her.)
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Kicker PPMS, DXed 2002 Queen of Maryland Wise Elder no matter what my count is. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Erin524 (12-13-2011) |
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#3 | ||
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Junior Member
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#4 | |||
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Elder
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I wouldnt mind something that helps. I'm doing what I call the "drunk zombie" walk. The bottom of my right foot is pretty numb now. Think the intensity is different. Still too numb for me to wear a shoe comfortably, but it doesnt hurt as much to put my foot in a shoe.
I noticed today, that my foot is catching on the bathmat in the bathroom...so I reluctantly rolled that up and stuck it in the store room. (I really like that bathmat!) Sure doesnt help the whole "foot sliding across the floor" problem I'm having when I'm sitting down...err...doing something in the bathroom, and I move to...ummm...do something else. My foot will still slide across the tile floor without me knowing about it till it's almost knocked me over. Today was day 6 of steroids, so tomorrow I get to step down to gagging down 4 prednisones. Today was also the last day of antibiotics for the UTI that triggered everything, so hopefully things are going to calm down a little bit now and my feet will wake up again. I just want to be able to walk across a room without worrying about falling down. But it's not just the toes that are numb, the entire heel is numb, and the side of my foot. I can tell the numbness goes up my leg, over my knee and up to a numb area on my waistline. (right where the waist of my jeans rest) I'm guessing it's something irritating my sciatic nerve, and it's making a bunch of other nerves go weird. The other numbness is from my shoulder down the right side of my back. That's annoying, but not painful like it was the other day. I just want some semblance of normal. I want it to be better by Xmas, but I'm betting it's not going to be.
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~ Never do anything that you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics. ~ Author Unknown ~ ~ "Animals have two functions in society. To taste good and to fit well." ~ Greg Proops, actor ~ |
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#5 | |||
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Legendary
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I wear one too Erin, and no it does not solve the problem, and you certainly could not drive a stick shift wearing one.
Mine really hurts to wear it and is so uncomfortable that I hardly ever wear it ![]() I must admit that all of my falls have been on days that my AFO has been standing in the corner, so I don't know if it would have saved me some broken bones had I been wearing it at the time. When I got the first prototype, I was going backwards and forwards to the Orthotic Center to have it adjusted. I guess if you at least got to that stage you would get a bit of an idea of whether or not it would be suitable for you. But..... if you a driver, they virtually immobilize the affected foot to stop that foot from bending at all. You would not be able to work the accelerator or worse .... the brake of a car, so driving would definitely be out.
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Eastern Australian Daylight Savings Time and my temperature . |
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#6 | |||
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Elder
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Craptastic! Darnit!
I wonder if the electric stimulator AFO would allow me to drive (if it works and if they get me set up with one) I think I'm mostly just hoping this isnt permanent. I've had numbness in the feet and legs before, and it's let up before. Knocking on wood that it goes away. I'm going to miss my car if it doesnt.
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~ Never do anything that you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics. ~ Author Unknown ~ ~ "Animals have two functions in society. To taste good and to fit well." ~ Greg Proops, actor ~ |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Koala77 (12-17-2011) |
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#7 | |||
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Legendary
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Erin, I guess I'm speaking from just my own point of view and maybe there are AFO's about that do a better job than the one I have now, but remember that they won't even order you one unless you fit their criteria. You may be worrying for nothing.
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Eastern Australian Daylight Savings Time and my temperature . |
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