Ok, so I did my 6 month review with my neuro, and I was telling him my fatigue is getting worse. I cant hardly get out of bed in the morning. After getting up and moving around a few hours, Im ready to go back to bed and I can sleep for hours. Anybody relate?? Well, he told me thats not fatigue, its just sleepiness. Im like WTH!!! Everything inside this 5'2 frame of mine is kiiling me! Aches, pains, muslce spasms, oh, ya'll know what Im talking about. Im just a BIT ANGRY at him right now. Maybe I just didnt explain how Im feeling right and he misunderstood me. Also, I have right sided weakness and he tests my strength every time I go in. Well, this last time, he wanted me to pull my arm away from him as he pulled it towards him. I did my best and he just shook his head and said "Try". WTH did he think I was doing?! I cant pick up my right leg in a seated position more than like an inch off the ground if that much, so he said "Pick up your leg and while Im pushing down, you fight back and keep it lifted." Well, I did what he said and as soon as he put pressure on my leg it hit the floor. He looked at me and said "Your just giving up." He did it again and lifted my leg up and bent my foot up (I have foot drop) and it caused so much pain. I was ready to deck him. My spasticity is making me very stiff and I told him that. My right foot no longer wants to bend, it stays at almost a perfect point anymore. Im tired of all this MS pain. If I was truely giving up, I wouldnt go back to him, I would quit all my meds and just lay in bed and let nature take over. But NO! Im taking my meds, exercising as best I can and stretching and yada yada. Thinking about making a hole and crawling in for awhile

if you have foot drop, has he either Rx an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic) for you to wear, or has he sent you to a physiatrist (a medical doctor that specializes in physical therapies and rehabilitiation. Physiatrists can also Rx an AFO)

An AFO is a special brace that's either made out of metal and built into your shoe, or it's a special plastic brace that slides into your shoe so you can wear it with different shoes. It helps keep your foot at the correct positions to be able to walk. I have one. It works great. (I need to go get it serviced and see if I need to have it put into a new pair of shoes. The one I have is built into my sneakers)

Physical therapy is great for foot drop in my experience. It keeps your foot and the muscles strong and moving. Plus, as you do PT, again, in my experience, you can feel your endurance and stamina build up.

Yes, I understand, KittyLady, as my last post was something like yours, except that my condition is not as bad as yours. I know how spasticity, and foot drop, can cause pain and disability, and I had my share of neuros who did not help much (one of them did, in San Diego, but I don't live there and he's retired). Going to most doctors is just painful. I don't see a neuro now, but see doctors for my other main disease Polycythemia Vera, which has to have a blood test every two weeks to see if I need a phlebotomy or need to go back to Mayo for another shot of p32 to cut down platelets. The hematologists are somewhat easier to live with then the neuros. REALLY feeling your pain.

Just came in to smack the hell out of your Doc..

As long as it's just for a while, KittyLady. Maybe your neuro was trying to light a fire under you.

I say go ahead and dig that hole ...

Put the Dr. in it.

Cover it up with dirt.

Dust your hands off and find another doc who listens.

There! I feel so much better now.



My best friend just told me that I need to quit trying to solve everyone's problems. But how will people know how to solve their problems if I don't give my input?

well I have to agree, no fun what the dr said, but thinking about it...

I have fatigue, right side weakness, terrible muscle spasm pain, and stiffness pain.. that is as bad as labor pains during birth... etc etc....

I feel like I could stay in bed, but I work 40 hours on my feet, then come home and struggle in pain... I have four kids yet at home that I am busy with... and I try most days to either do some yoga or a walk.

Somedays when I feel like just staying put, I make myself take a short walk or even get outside for fresh air... as it gives me some energy.. or sometimes it does not energize me... but feels good.

think he was trying to just make sure you are not giving into the staying in bed too too much.....

I am in pain most of my days now, yes I should try and do disability... but can not afford to step down and do it.... I work thru pain, I walk thru pain and I try to stay active thru pain... as I feel the less I move the worse my stiffness gets.... that is just my way!!

HUGSSSS to you dear, and crawl in the hole for a bit, if needed, let yourself cry when you need to, complain when you need to... scream out when you feel the need... vent here when you need... and most of all HUGSS to you

sorry I did not fully read the end of your post, he should not be so pushy on the trying.. about the leg and arm stuff... sorry... maybe you need a new neuro.... hugsss again

Gosh that makes me so about your doc, I really think you should gather up your medical records thus far from him and see someone new! Find a reputable neuro or do some research for a one in your area that's top rated and will take better care of you.

Erin, my neuro knows I have no insurance. He talked to me about the AFO, but he said its very expensive and gave me the idea to go to a medical supply store and they have a strap thing that wraps around the leg just under the knee and goes to the foot to hold it up. He says its not as nice as the one they mold onto your leg, but it does the same thing. I cant afford PT so I dont go. I just do what I can at home. Neuro gave me a few strength building exercising ideas to do at home for the foot drop. Hes not a bad doctor, he's actually the most recommended MS doc in my area. He does speeches and conferences for the NMSS. He goes all over the country trying to bring MS awareness and donations to help find a cure. Just sometimes, he sure knows how to tick me off!