Foot Drop Stinks!
 

My right foot has stopped cooperating with my brain and I just need to vent. I used to have occasional foot drop, but it's happening more frequently and frustrating beyond belief!

I hate looking like I'm clumsy or drunk when I'm out in public! (At home I'm just entertaining when I'm like that!) I've gotten away with being one of the "but you look so good" people for so long that I'm spoiled. I don't want people to see that I have MS.

Yesterday I was leading a Weight Watchers meeting and when I walked across the room I nearly fell when my right foot decided to stay put. I didn't have the courage to look at the members to see their reaction--I was too embarrassed. So I carried on and, when I was leaving the meeting, the same thing happened.

I know that it's hardly the end of my mobility, but I'm frustrated beyond belief. My cane is cute & named "Duke" (the handle is a Boxer dog's head), but I guess I'm too vain to use it unless absolutely necessary.

How can I reconcile my foot drop and my vanity? That question probably falls more in the rhetorical vein, since there's no good answer. Seriously, though, does anyone have a good strategy for handling foot drop and/or the reaction to it?

Thanks for letting me vent!

Hi Darah-
Have you seen the walkaide? I hear it's spendy but it might do the trick!

After reading your post, I looked at their website. It's a neat little gadget, but I wonder if it would work and/or be "medically necessary" (i.e. covered by insurance) for intermittent foot drop?

I guess I could call my neuro's office and find out.

Thanks for the tip!

Yes, it does stink, but I make a point of falling with style.

My first line of defense at the beginning was choosing the right footwear. Fitted shoes with a slightly turned-up toe make a huge difference.

I also use a Foot-Flexr which is designed for runner training but gives a little added "pull" to keep me from tripping over a dropped crumb.

I do have a cane, and I don't give a rip what people think of it. I need a 4-wheeled walker nowadays, and again, if someone has a judgement prepared for me over that, then let them wrestle with their own demons.

I need my scooter for anything more than 75 feet, do I look pitiful or weak, or like less of a person to you? It's not vanity for me, it's denial. Once I got over each stage of it, I got to using the tools I need to keep doing the things I want to do. I'm not embarrassed to wear my eyeglasses or use my toothbrush either.:eek:

You'd think that I'd be over the vanity and denial ten years into this miserable disease, but I'm hanging onto them for some stupid reason.

Anyone else can use whatever they need to get past the impairments of this disease, and I don't think a thing about it.

Try to get me to use something, though and it's like talking to a brick wall.

Although I did give in and use my wheelchair last month to go to a political rally. I even got to sit at the "rope line" and shake the featured speaker's hand. On that particular day, I knew that it was the only way I'd make it through the wait at the park for the festivities to begin and my husband insisted that it was the only way I would go!

One thing I've noticed is that many people are very unaware of the considerations needed by someone using a cane or wheelchair for mobility. I can't tell you how many times I've nearly had my cane kicked out from under me by people rushing her and there is a store or mall. If I could run, I'd chase them down, hit them with my cane like the little old ladies do in the movies, and give them a stern lecture about common courtesies such as being aware of the people around them. Then there's the wheelchair . . . I get so tired of seeing nothing but people's behinds when I'm in it! No doubt that these experiences factor in when I resist using aids that might make me look different in a crowd.

As for denial . . . it is a very comforting place to be until something like foot drop comes up and knocks you back into reality (or on your kiester!). I've accepted the big changes in my life, like the loss of the career that was my life-long dream, that it amazes me that I can't come to grips with the smaller ones!

Hi Darah~ I think you are the same "Darah" that I crossed paths w/a few yrs ago elsewhere! It is really nice to see your post.

About the footdrop.. The others' have given you some good advice and all I can add is that I too, do not adjust well to using devices that are yet another reminder of the way I used to do things. Stubborn? Yes.

My Dr had a leg/foot brace made for me, of which the insurance DID pay for, BUT, it's in the back of my closet collecting dust. I wore it for a short while. The newer ones are so much better than mine.

Hope to see you posting more.

I have used a cane ever since I knocked down an entire handbag display at Sears and the people who were there thought I was drunk - that was in the 70's - I've been using a brace for foot drop probabally 20 or so years along with the cane - if I didn't use a brace I would be spending half my life trying to get off the floor and I seriously couldn't walk without tripping - the walk-aide is expensive and not covered by any insurance I have had - if you want embarassing - there's knocking down the entire line of display racks of lingerie like dominos at Neiman Marcus because you're forgot to grab your cane -

It took me a while to get used to wearing the brace but if it enabled me to walk and do a job then it was and is worth it - as for people not being considerate of a person with a cane - I only had that problem once and a very sharp rap on the ankle with a metal cane does the trick - canes are also helpful for getting things off the top shelf - just remember to duck - and to use as a lever when you do fall down and there's nothing to grab onto to get up - golf carts are terrific too and so are the scooters they let you used at Jamestown - only ran down one person and that was my DH -

I'm one and the same! It's good to be back with the gang! :grouphug:

DARAH??? Is that really you?? Geez Louise..I am more surprised than DM....

Welcome home! :hug::hug::hug:

HIYA DARAH!

It's good to see you!

I say use whatever you have to use to get where you want to be and do what you want to do. There's no shame in using tools, regardless of what people who don't matter think, and "you'll look soooo good" doing it with your own particular style!!!

Yes, Av8rGirl, I'm home. It took me awhile, but like Dorothy, I learned that "there's no place like home."

I just need to dust Duke off and start taking him with me. He does have many uses. Aside from getting things off top shelves, rapping inconsiderate jerks on the ankle (so sorry--my bad!), and generally keeping me vertical, I could use it as a pointer when I lead my meetings.

When I was using my cane more regularly, I found that with people I know who looked a bit startled by it, I just introduced them to "Duke", my friend, and it lightened the mood substantially. I guess it's time for Duke to make some new friends!

I knew it was YOU! I just remember you being so kind when I was an up and running "newbie". Geez, that was about 4 yrs ago.

So glad you've popped back into sight. We missed ya! :hug:

Hi Darah, I don't think I know you, but I am so glad you are here....Welcome!!:):hug:

Foot Drop?
 

when my foot decides to flop ......... my arms go out like an airplane and then i give it my best shot not to kiss the pavement. then if i manage to stay upright i say something like "Ta Da!" :D........... and then promise myself i will lose the vanity and bring out "lucy" which is my back up........(cane) nothing fancy like yours lol and get real with myself.

however........
since i am unable to fly and the vanity usually wins out :p victor has set up an appointment for me for a rehab specialist. yep......i am headed for rehab...hi ho hi ho. may as well appease the man :cool:

Are you using a brace? I was just diagnosed yesterday with foot drop. Am using the foot up braces now and they really help. Bruise my leg horribly, but that's ok. Maybe you want to try that?
They're not huge metal braces, but smaller velcro braces.

hi darah!

you should post more often because you've brought some old friends up.
i also remember how helpful, supportive and kind you were to me when i first started down this path.

i just use whatever aid i need. i don't worry about what people think. i just do for me what i need to do to do the things i want. gosh, does that make any sense?