I was diagnosed with RRMS about 2.5 yrs ago, and things were pretty much fine for me up until the past 4 months or so.

I had a baby 9 months ago, and had the post partum flare and thought it was over. A few months ago, I started having more and more trouble walking, legs really stiff, knees not bending, that kind of things. I've graduated to a scooter now, and I can't help but feel completely lazy riding on the thing!

I know I NEED the thing, but I am only 32 and a not so long ago I was walking just fine! I can still walk, and I do as much as I can. The dr has given me Baclofen for spasticity, 60 mg a day. I know it helps, I can definitely tell if I haven't taken it, but I always hear about people with spasticity with alot of pain, and I have no pain. I'm not sure if something else is going on or what!
I told dh yesterday that I'm scared that my legs are going to stay like this. He told me I can't think about things like that, but how can I not?!

Anyone else feel lazy for riding a scooter, or am I just being stupid about this?

I almost got one at walmart when I was in the midst of my flare, and did not for the reason you say. I wish I would have. By the time I got home, I was so tired, I could not carry in anything, nor could I help put it away. I was done for 2 days all because I was being dense

If you have rrms, just think it is more than likely temporary. Do when you need to do to get through this time, then keep the scooter for the next time

Save your energy for other things like paying with your baby!!! That is the important things. Walking is over rated sometimes (only sometimes, I know if I could never walk again, I WOULD NOT say that!!). For now, you need to save your energy reserves, and your scooter is helping you do that!

Hope things start looking brighter soon.
Connie

Have you talked to your neuro about Physical Therapy (PT)?

Exercise and stretching can be beneficial for spasticity. Not everyone will have pain with spasticity although it is common.

My legs are exactly like yours - stiff and my knees don't like to bend, I hate stairs and curbs but will do them. My legs have been like that for a long time.

When I was dx'd my neuro told me if I do nothing else, walk. That was in 1986 and I still walk. I use a treadmill and do quite a bit of stretching.

Will my approach work for you? I have no idea, maybe, maybe not. Each of us are different and what works for one will not work for someone else.

I need the stiffness it's what helps keep me walking. I have quite a bit of weakness in my legs and always have. If I lose the stiffness I will not be walking -guaranteed.

Again - talk to your doctor about exercise and/or PT

Jenn! This is huge! Talk to your neuro right away about switching from Baclafen to something else like Zanaflex. I was taken off Baclafen when it caused me WEAKNESS IN THE LEGS. It's actually one of the listed side effects!

Do you look at me when I'm on my scooter and think that I'm lazy?

Jenn!
Jennjennjenn!

Dirty/condescending/second-guessing looks be damned. Get on the sccoter.

Which hurts more? These looks from strangers who don't know you and are ignorant and arrogant enough to judge you? Or how bad your legs feel later?

Moose has the MS too. And dirty looks don't count.

And I never gave you one of my patented big, warm, tight, hug, handshake and howdy, moose-size official type welcomes. This place is amazing!

You are not alone.
You are one of us.
And we are here to help.

I can walk (if I have to), sitting in this wheelchair seems to make walking harder, BUT I love being to get around faster, I have more energy and access to do things. More independence really. Power chair on order, insurance oked it, etc. Also buying myself a travel, breakdown into manageable pieces powerchair. Compared to before, get around more now and never realized how much of my energy was taken by my insistence of walking with walker. Was I trying to prove something? No more stairs anymore, DH had skills to build 1st floor addition for big bedroom and bathroom with wheelchair friendly shower. Use a shower chair now, but no getting over tub wall to shower!! I have MS, why not make things a little easier. (No, I'm not lazy)

I'm confused.....

Why on earth would you feel lazy by using your scooter? You have MS. Yes, there will be days when you don't need to use it. There will be days when you know you need to conserve your energy and, therefore, need to use it. And there will be days when you'll need to use it all day. There's nothing wrong with that.

If you were perfectly able-bodied and used it because you just didn't feel like expending the energy needed to walk then, yes, you'd be lazy.

It doesn't matter what others think - anyone who judges you without knowing why you're using it really doesn't matter in the big scheme of things.

Welcome.. I used to feel that way (lazy) and still do, on occasion, but, as Kicker said, I like getting around faster, especially to the potty..

Because of using my scooter so much, I don't walk as well as I did, but I feel better and not so exhausted, all the time, as when I was walking with walker.

I'm an old bat, though, and you are so young, so I do understand.. I'm hoping that it's just temporary and when your flare is over, you will be up again, chasing that new Baby all over the house.

HIJACK!!!

Hey, I never got one either It sounds great!! Can I have one.

In the meantime, I'll give you one of my little, not so tight hugs...


Connie

This is only a moment in time . . . and you will get past this. In the meantime, do whatever you need to maintain your strength for the more important things in life.

Use that scooter for going the distance! . . . but keep limber by stretching and/or getting as must exercise as you can too though (in SMALL DOSES). Scooter, stretch, scooter, walk, scooter, swim, scooter, work in the garden, scooter, play with baby in the yard . . . etc.

Cherie