I can touch my nose with my finger with my eyes closed. I am in a wheel chair 95% of the time and when I do walk it is with a cane or touching a wall.
Why?

My neuro said that he has never had a patient be unable to do this and still be walking. I use a cane at home and for short times when I'm out.

Most of the time I have to use a wheelchair if going somewhere that requires more than a minimal amount of walking. I am still able to walk though, just not for a long periods.

I'm in the middle of an exacerbation, btw.

Thanks for asking!

Maybe it was just a random observation by the neuro. It was interesting to him that you were still walking when his other patients who can't do that, aren't. I wouldn't take it as more than that. I have failed that test before when I was at my worst, I was having great difficulty walking with a cane at that time. I have since improved a lot and can pass that test again.

There are no absolutes in neurology. Everyone's brains accomodate for damage differently. I wouldn't worry about it.

My right hand fails to touch the nose with the eyes closed, and I'm still walking without aid. (my right side is the most effected)

I do have some balance issues and intermittent drop foot though.

Even when I was paralyzed, I could do it. I don't get it perfectly every time, but I usually get pretty close to the tip.

The reason many of us need walking aids is not because we CAN'T walk. For me, a walking aid will give me stability (knees buckling, difficulty with balance, etc), and conserves what little energy I have.

When all I've done in a day is gone to see the neurologist, I might be feeling reasonably good . . . but two hrs later, it might be a completely different story. Some days I can garden for 3 hrs, and others I don't even get out of bed.

He is being very black and white.

Cherie

Hey Jo,

My right hand touches my nose, but left went right to the middle of my forehead, but my doc hasn't done that test since I was DX, back in May. I am not using any walking aids, altho I think it could be helpful sometimes.

I am having an exacerbation as well. I just did the "finger to nose" test myself, left finger hit middle of eye brow

I know how you feel about doubting you Doc.

Keep the faith!!

HUGSS

Wouldn't the ability to touch your nose be a brain issue (ability to know where things are in space)? Whereas inability/difficulty walking is more generally a spinal issue. Those are my thoughts at least - not sure if they're right or not. I wouldn't worry about linking the two together too much. Sounds like a careless comment that probably would have been better kept to himself.

your neuro's wrong (and Greta's right!)

I have failed this test for a decade, yet I still walk.

I use a cane and bilateral AFOs when I have to go more than about 100 yards.

or stiff-sided sturdy hiking boots for ankle support.

lol, I just tried it!

left hand did fine, right hand flunked miserably... landed in the region of my eyebrow.

I have to do it SLOWLY, lest I poke an eye out here.

Hi Joelle,

I would definitely talk to my Neuro about this and find out where he is getting his information to base his theory on. Is he telling you that NONE of his patients who are dependant on a mobility device can touch their finger to their nose?

I've been trying it while sitting here and I can do it with either hand - that is not something I have ever not been able to do. But my Neuro doesn't always give me that test - he usually makes me do the "sobriety test" and then hits me with the little rubber hammer.

***I was going to reply with some smart-alecky comment based on our earlier conversation but chickened out!!! ***

I'm OK with my right finger, close with my left. I've been in a WC and I use a cane fulltime when I'm not using the WC.

I've seen no difference or correlation between the two with me.

Interesting thought.

I've never seen two Neuros that could agree or have the same conclusions on anything (exageration.) Every Neuro I've met was a little goofy upstairs too. Lol.