I have really upped my exercise routine at the Y lately. Some of it may be just because it invigorates me, some may be because I find I can do things I previously didn't realize I could. But most of it because I am sick and tired of this flab. Until the manager of the Y gets a routine set for me she told me to do whatever I want on the recumbent bike. So I have made it a personal goal to get to 10 miles before the bike shuts itself off at 60 minutes. Well today I finally did it!!! But the parasthesia in my lower legs seems to be worse. I have to untie my shoes when I am home to make my feet more comfortable. Anyone have any idea whether the two things could be related??

It may be due to increased temperature when exercising. I notice the same symptoms/problem after leg training or even just walking from A to B.

It could be the hyperventilation/open mouth syndrome?
Which can cause your symptoms.

Exercise causes slight tissue inflammation. I am learning from my massage therapist that I have some adhesions in my legs from when used to work out, hike, and climb. She said they just happen from use, but in my case they compound the issues presented by TM. She is working them out with the hopes that, once freed, some of the nerve function will return in the tittues that are now "glued together." We will see. By the way, the massages are anything but relaxing!

You may want to back off, and then increase your workout intensities more gradually.

Read more about inflammation from exercise: link

I work out pretty heavily and fwiw I haven't found much of a coorelation between the course of my workout and an increase in parasthesia.

Sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't I can't seem to find any pattern, yet anyway.

Even though I really, really liked my night time walks because they were in the cool crisp evening air under the stars I decided that I really wasn't burning that many calories with them since I could only walk a mile. And my legs and feet are more comfortable not doing them with the same kind of intensity. So I think if I do take some night time walks they will just be that, walks and not trying to do as much.

Another possibility is lumbar nerve root irritation from exerting in the recumbant position over a longer period of time; especially if the numbness follows your exercise sessions. Exertion in that position can increase intrabdominal pressure which can put pressure on the discs.
You might try putting a small folded towel in the small of your back to maintain the normal lumbar curve to see if it helps.

With love, Erika

Hmmm....I think Erika might have insight into your problem. You do suffer from back issues, right? I wonder if the recumbent position is impinging a nerve.
I don't get parasthesia after I work out-several hours later I get severe leg spasms, even after stretching. But immediately after my work out, I feel like I used to before MS-energetic, a bit looser (except my legs-that is permanent).

Then as I cool down, the stiffness gets worse and I spend the afternoon lying back in my recliner stiff and exhausted. Everyone tells me to back off a bit on the strenuous nature of my workouts, but I have so much energy in the morning, and I have turned into a blob over the last year, that I am trying to eat less and work out more to lose the blob. So far, no luck

Maybe try an elliptical at a low level of resistance...that's my preferred mode of aerobic exercise. And don't forget to stretch out [U]after[U] you work out.

Debbie,
What you describe is pretty much how this body's symptoms go as well. Things are worse toward the end of the day, but during and right after exercise things seems to be better...then first the weakness, then the spasms set in.

Getting exercise on recumbent or even regular bikes are out for me because they irritate my lower back discs; although I can still ride a regular bike for pleasure when balance issues aren't a problem. I try not to become depressed over the fact that I used mountain bike regularly and even competed in equestrian sports (3-day eventing, cutting and endurance racing) just a few years ago.

Three discs in my lower back have varying levels of prolapse and two have been herniated, and 3 in my neck are also prolapsed now...all from falls due to MS. This makes exercise of the para spinal muscles absolutely necessary to keep the supporting musculature of the spine as strong as possible. I really don't want to have surgery; although that was recommended a couple of years ago.

I get some back exercise from my work as a massage therapist and through walking, gardening etc, but since my participation in those things has been on a steady decline because of MS fatigue and other symptoms, I use a cross country ski machine to round things out and to get some cardio in the relative safety of the indoors.

The treadmills and elliptical trainers tend to irritate my legs and I think that it is because full extension of the knees and hips doesn't happen with them. The cross country ski machine allows for more full extension of the knee, nearly full flexion and extension of the ankle and more full range of motion of the hips as well.
I bought my second hand Nordic-track for $25.00 through the want ads a few years ago and I often see them up for sale for around the same price, where they can run in the hundreds of dollars new .

With love, Erika

I have been exercising since my diagnosis and have always had an increase of symptoms afterwards, although sometimes I can feel it during.

I deal with an increase in vibrations/buzzing, sometimes one or more of my toes go numb, foot drop (both feet) and leg weakness. I figured out early on that if I took a cool shower after working out the symptoms went back to what is normal for me and I felt better sooner.

I cannot recline after working out as this tends to cause more stiffness and pain once I try and get up again. If I sit upright I have less stiffness and pain, no idea why