I worked as an aide in a PT clinic and we were always extra careful with MS patients not to challenge them too much and to back off. No pain no gain does not apply to PT. The best way to make steps forward is to take little baby ones (that applies for everyone, not just those with MS). If your PT is more like Nurse Ratchet, it's probably time to find a new one.

Remember, there's no reason you can't change the resistance, lower the weight, or just stop the exercise. It won't/can't do you any good if it's out of your league.

Poor lil RW! *patting RW's HAID*

Ya want me to come and wrap you up in bubble wrap?

take care woman!!!! PT is to get you better, not make you feel like your'e in a boxing ring!!!

Thats what my PT says too. If it hurts, I'm doing it wrong. He gets a bit excited when I announce that I'm hurting....he throws ice or heat on me depending on the situation....

Oh my gosh RW, I hope you get great results with the PT!

I'm not able to tolerate PT because they gave me "funny exercises" to do at home, and I thought I'd hurt myself further. That's why I was so slow to respond to you, I didn't want to be a bad influence just when you were starting out.

I have noticed though, that repetitive, easy exercise has been helping me to regain the strength in my legs. I got an elliptical machine that works wonders for me. I have to take it easy on it though because many parts of me are fragile now due to the MS, spasticity and age.

Keep up the good work! It sounds like you have a good one!

Thanks everyone!

She told me to start out slow, since it's been so long. I know all about NOT pushing through the pain, work it easy and only do as much as I can.

I had to talk to her about the whole spazz thing, she'd heard of Baclofen pumps but not pills , and I explained that I DO the stretches they have on the NMSS site every day before I get out of bed, but I still have problems walking until things get loosened up.

If I sit for any amount of time, it all gets stiff again and I have to go through the whole stretch and go slow just to MOVE. So I just don't sit for very long, which makes me more fatigued and then I get stuck again...

I feel like the Tin Man, needing my oil can. I hate feeling like this and I have to be able to move to work. Even getting out of a car takes me 10 minutes! I am watching my calories and since all the chocolate in the house is gone now, that helps...

I am back to swimming too. I got a pass for the HS pool, lap swim starts at 6:00 a.m. and I just change at work and go straight there. The pool is freezing at that time of day and the cold affects me worse than heat does, so I have to stretch before I go and then take it slow once I am in the water. The derned kid keeps putting up the "Slow Lane" sign at the end of my lane and THAT is discouraging! As someone who used to swim a mile or better a day, I am ashamed of myself.

I want it all to work NOW...LOL!

I've never been good at waiting and taking it slow just frustates me. I don't want to hear age and weight and MS!! I want to be healthy, elastic Rivergoddess!
( picture me stomping my feet here like DM's avatar)

The only good thing is when I get home from swim, I am so tired that I fall asleep immediately! I slept today for 8 hours for the first time in AGES!

Rant over...

pssssssst, River?

methinks you should, mayhap, send our dear Empathy Man to PT?

AWWWW~ I know you luv my lil tantrum pixie, RW.... So, here's one that made me think of YOU...

Hi RW -

Oh my - Tinkerbell with a little tantrum type pigtailed whatever !!

I just started PT today - maybe it's because I'm my age - but the guy started me out slowly - trying to get my hips, legs and feet to do what they're supposed to do - when they're supposed to do it - can't wait until we get to balance - it's always fun to fall in public - he put me on a machine that you push treadles sort of like a recumbent bike - that was fun - I know from past experience with PT that you can train new groups of muscles to do the work of the ones that have failed - keep at it you'll be back in a kayack in no time - maybe run down Socatean for practice !

Yep ... YOU sent it to me for Christmas, RW!! LOL

right now - the lake is frozen ... but my neighbor has one of those 'treadle' paddle-boats ... I may use it this summer - but, I'm afraid that I'll get out to the middle of the lake and not have the energy to peddle back to shore ..

BUT - last summer, I went on a couple canoe rides ... and let my arms do the work - I felt like a million bucks when we got in ... I didn't have to stress out my legs ... and just the walk back home was enough for me! I want a canoe for my birthday! LOL

I know you're knee deep in snow for awhile yet ... maybe one of those treadle-paddle boats would be a fun exercise to work into your routine!

Like you Riverwild I just started PT last week.
So far so good.

I spent most of the time between the parallel bars trying to stand and walk without doing my weeble imitation.
The exercises to strengthen my left arm actually felt good.

I was a little sore the next day, but not too bad.

Unfortunately, the therapist and I have decided that I must give up my dreams of becoming a prima ballerina.

I wish I could find a water exercise program.
I really would enjoy that.
Best of Luck to you and hope the therapy helps.