My neuro has prescribed PT for balance issues, gait training and muscle strengthening.
My concern is this, After only a few minutes of walking, like picking up in the house, my left leg and arm go completely limp and useless. How am I ever going to make it through PT?
I'm sure the PT room is too warm and if it is poof, I'm done for!!
I am planning on wearing shorts and a t-shirt and good sneakers, making sure I am well hydrated and taking water with me. I may even take a cooling scarf also.
Any other suggestions??

I know I need to exercise and build endurance but I keep wondering HOW I'm ever going to get through the first session, let alone the 24 visits my neuro wants!!!
I have scheduled the visit on DH's day off cause there is no way I can drive home afterwards. Guess DH will get some reading done while waiting for me. He can rest up, so he can help his gimpy, blob of a wife back to the car!!!

So, if anyone can offer any suggestions on how to get thru this, it would be very much appreciated

So if anyone is looking for me, I will be the gimpy legged, sweaty, exhausted (but well hydrated!) BLOB on the floor!!

Are you just getting over an attack? I've never had PT but was considering it at one point after an attack, but I'm able to exercise and was able to get my abilities back.

Hope the PT will give you back your abilities. Glad your DH is going to be there. I couldn't imagine trying to drive after that either.

I had PT for my knee. Damaged it big time falling off a motorcycle I was learning to operate.

I told them upfront that I had MS. I told them from the get-go that if I feel that I'm pushing too hard, I will have to stop. After the first few sessions of letting them know where my limits were (also known as putting my foot down), they accomedated my need to go easier than most of their PT patients. They also made sure I always I had something to grab onto if I needed it.

Also ask them for any home exercises you might be able to do on your good days. It helped me a lot.

Best of luck!

I had PT for my neck. I hope you get people as great as mine. They were always asking "How's that? Are you okay now?" And adjusting whatever, so I was comfy and not overdoing.



Their motto was no pain is good.

I did not find the clinic too warm - but then, I'm never too warm. One guy was kinda warm, and they turned the temp down and pointed the fan at him. It was spring and still pretty chilly and damp, so not too many people complained about it being too warm.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

I have a prescription and hope to go again when I can afford it. Gotta see what the ins pays.

I got the old scrip for PT this week too. I don't know how long it's for, they will contact me and I will find out.

I had a knee injury once where a really LARGE (putting it nicely) man fell on my leg in a class V rapid. He was on his back and couldn't get off me. I was pinned and being thrashed around by the water in the bottom of the boat. I had to throw him out of the raft to save myself and then save him. It was too late. I was severely injured. I ended up at an orthopedic spec. He sent me to PT.

The PT I saw needed a patient for her thesis for her Master's degree and I was it. I did biofeedback, electric stimulus, exercises, medication, massage and hydrotherapy. I got free CT scans and MRIs while being treated. She got me back to where I could kneel down for hours again, run, bend, slide into base in softball and walk w/o my knee buckling under me!

Now I am going in for balance, muscle strength and gait, just like you! I am hoping that same PT is there and can work miracles like she did before!

We should be PT buddies! I too am worried about the whole thing. I know it will help but my git up and go has got up and went lately, and I know I am gonna need some cheerleading from the crowd until I start seeing results!

Let me know when you start!

( BTW, where I went, they always kept the room cool and had fans that they could move to give a little extra breeze when needed, and they let you self limit as to how much you could do)

I had PT for the same thing, gait training and balance. It really did a lot of good. They don't push you to do anything you can't. They teach you exercises to do at home between visits. I learned how to shift my weight so I didn't fall as often from poor balance. I thought it was a lot of fun. I'd do it again in a heart beat. We even did one workout in a rehab pool. To sum it up, It's worth the effort!!

RW - my idea of hydro therapy is 3 martinis in the pool. In 3 months, that's where you'll find me.



Can I cheer you on from there?

Boy oh boy! Mine used to be with the tupperware shaker cup full of something tropical while soaking in the hot tub, jets on "earthshaker" mode!

Unfortunately, I don't think it will do much for my balance and gait these days!

Just the thought of it cheers me up though, so cheer away while describing it!!

You have to talk to the PT about your limitations - it's really, really important. You should never leave there and have trouble afterwards or feel badly. PT is about taking tiny little baby steps to get you back on the right path. If it's too hot - tell them - I've never been in a clinic that was too warm though - it's not like going to the gym. You could also use a cooling vest if need be.

If they can't work with you well or it's too hot, ask for another PT or another facility. I worked as a PT aide for a year or so and loved working w/MS patients, but we constantly needed to remind them that only they know how much they can reasonably do without paying for it tomorrow, so they need to speak up. It won't do you any good if you work so hard that you are in pain or exhausted the next day.

Good luck and have fun - PT can be a huge help!

I appreciate all your replies.
I figure PT has to help with balance & gait issues, I can't keep stumbling around like I am now.
It was good to hear others have done this with good results.
I would LOVE to find some hydrotherapy nearby, but I would settle for the tropical drinks in a hot tub if necessary!! When I find THAT, I'll invite everyone for a pool party!