[NurseNancy]

my pain dr prescribed PT; the goal to strengthen my legs and increase my stamina.

to make a long story short i don't think i'm tolerating it. the PT aggravates my low back pain to the point that by the time i get home i can barely stand and get out of breath from the physical effort.

my gait is worse, my pain is worse, i'm sooo tired and almost need a day to recover. my good leg is my right leg which is so much weaker that i can barely get it into the car.

i've discussed all this with the therapist who has adjusted the routine and pulled back on what we do and how we do it.

i see the dr on fri and am about ready to tell her this is not working.
any thoughts?
thanks

[SallyC]

(((((Judy))))), I went through the same thing, in the PT hospital. Sooo sore, sooo exhausted and sooo weak. It didn't seem to be working either, but after awhile, thru the pain and weakness, my legs did get stronger and I am able to transfer to my scooter to couch to potty to whereever easier now.

Your legs will only get so much stronger. Unless you are early in your RRMS disease, you will probably not go back to normal.

I think you are having an attack and I believe pt is the only way you are going to get stronger.

Ask them to do an ultra sound with warm then cold packs for lower back therapy, before PT and that may help to quiet your back during your exercises. Years ago, they did that for me and it sure helped me during PT and felt wonderful.

Hang on, don't give up..

[hollym]

My PT is having me do "conduction breaks". Three times a day (preferably when you feel your best or better) you close your eyes for ten minutes and do absolutely nothing. She said that visual stimuli use up about 70% of brain function and this gives the MS brain some downtime to rest and store up some energy.

I really do feel better on days after I have actually had time to do 3 of these in a day. Then, she said the key is that you do NOT do more once you start feeling better. You just keep doing what you were doing normally and rebuild some more stamina over time. She said it is like creating a savings account of energy. Rather than deficit spending like we tend to do when we just push past our limits.

[ANNagain]

Nurse Nancy (whose name is Judy- just to confuse me). I was thinking about you and your situation last night.

I am so sorry that you are having problems w pain and PT. I have no suggestions except to make sure the PT and PCD know what is happening to you. Maybe schedule the visits further apart? I know they like to do Mon-Weds or Tues-Thurs. Maybe you need a Monday- Thursday or equivalent kind of schedule.

And I like the suggestion of Sal's for ultrasound and heat packs but I would have it at the end of the session w some massage. I can't do the heat packs but if you can, it is very relaxing and the whole thing is like a reward at the end of the appointment.

I am not familiar w Holly's "conduction breaks" but that is something we can all do- sounds like meditation.

My best to you,
ANN

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by hollym

My PT is having me do "conduction breaks". Three times a day (preferably when you feel your best or better) you close your eyes for ten minutes and do absolutely nothing. She said that visual stimuli use up about 70% of brain function and this gives the MS brain some downtime to rest and store up some energy.

OH, I am going to do this. Sounds marvelous!!! Thanks Holly..

[Dejibo]

I had to quit PT and do my own modified version at home. I was so sore, spasmy and achy for days after seeing them. I told them NO MORE! and I do my own gentle routine at home. I do tiny bit in the am. a tiny bit at noon, and a tiny more before I go to bed, so I am not in a marathon hour to get it all done.

[SallyC]

Judy, sweetheart, how are you doing, any better? I've been thinking about you and praying that things get better for you.

I hope your Doc has figured it out and has discovered a way to help you with your pain.