Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Edith, I have started as far as I have time and energy daily. I began this in mid-July, just before our vacation. While on vacation Helen and I did a LOT of walking in the Outlet Mall in Nashville TN and water conditioning at our condo time share. It was great! I am still walking as far as time and energy last. I can get about 2.5 miles in on a good day and about 4 on a great day. the average is about 1.8, however. This is over the entire day. (I use a pedometer that measures my steps and the distance covered.) Right now I am walking some on my lunch hour at work. We have some pretty long hallways and I can do about 20 minutes with just a few turnarounds. What I'm leading up to is the fact that I am now able to walk from the van into the place where I pick up my morning coffee on the way to work. I had to use my walker, a four wheeled type, before. My legs are stronger, but not overdeveloped. I believe it has helped me gain confidence and strength. I am also finding that strength building exercises for arms and shoulders, using light weights and just one set with about 10 repetitions each for each exercise works well, too. I am hoping to keep bone density through this so I won't break any bones if I start falling again. I do think that if you are able to do light workouts that it will help you gain confidence and strengthen those muscles you use. This will help your ability to move and remain flexible. I forgot that I also do some stretching, which helps with the flexibility. All this is NOT done daily or for long periods of time. I just do what I can for about 20 minutes, because I crash after that. I am now able to extend the time without crashing, but only about 2-3 minutes after 2 months. By Christmas I hope to be able to do 30 minutes before I crash. This does wipe me out, but I feel better the next day. Sorry to be so long with this, but some have said I always give long responses. If I do, I do. That's the part of me that wants to be a writer. Hope this gives you some hope. Try it and see how you do. If you do fall asleep after you do your light workout, so what? Especially if you get stronger and feel better about yourself. Mike Gray PLS and exercise > > > Will strenthening exercises help slow symptoms of PLS? I'm > particularly concerned about my arms. A friend with MS for 40 years > can't use her legs, but her arms and upper body are very strong. > I'll work on my arms if exercise would help, but I've been under the > impression that it doesn't. Thanks. > Edith > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 I forgot to add that my PLS symptoms have not gotten any worse. My neurologist, whom I just saw last Thursday, was surprised about how well I was doing. Seems I do that each time I see him now since he hospitalized me in Feb 03 for an inflammation in my leg muscles and around my spinal cord. I personally don't know what I am doing to keep the progression stable, but I thank God for it daily. Mike PLS and exercise > > > Will strenthening exercises help slow symptoms of PLS? I'm > particularly concerned about my arms. A friend with MS for 40 years > can't use her legs, but her arms and upper body are very strong. > I'll work on my arms if exercise would help, but I've been under the > impression that it doesn't. Thanks. > Edith > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Mike: your responses are never too long. They impart such valuable information. I exercise and do flexibility for my legs, but now also need to concentrate on my arms. I can't walk at all and use a power wheelchair.vKeep up the good work. Edith > I forgot to add that my PLS symptoms have not gotten any worse. My > neurologist, whom I just saw last Thursday, was surprised about how well I > was doing. Seems I do that each time I see him now since he hospitalized me > in Feb 03 for an inflammation in my leg muscles and around my spinal cord. > I personally don't know what I am doing to keep the progression stable, but > I thank God for it daily. > > Mike > PLS and exercise > > > > > > > > Will strenthening exercises help slow symptoms of PLS? I'm > > particularly concerned about my arms. A friend with MS for 40 years > > can't use her legs, but her arms and upper body are very strong. > > I'll work on my arms if exercise would help, but I've been under the > > impression that it doesn't. Thanks. > > Edith > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 Edith, I also use a powerchair (throughout the work day) and have learned a couple important tips. Because we spend so much time in the seated position with legs bent, we need to stand up for periods of time. This can be accomplished by using a standing frame or by standing with your back to the wall and your feet far enough from the wall that you won't fall over. Standing stresses our muscles and bones to keep them both strong. Lying down on your back with a good elongated stretch midday will take some of the kinks out from sitting too long. Five or 10 minutes of this will help. Any longer and you might fall asleep JMHO, Thom <>< > > I forgot to add that my PLS symptoms have not gotten any worse. My > > neurologist, whom I just saw last Thursday, was surprised about > how well I > > was doing. Seems I do that each time I see him now since he > hospitalized me > > in Feb 03 for an inflammation in my leg muscles and around my > spinal cord. > > I personally don't know what I am doing to keep the progression > stable, but > > I thank God for it daily. > > > > Mike > > PLS and exercise > > > > > > > > > > > > > Will strenthening exercises help slow symptoms of PLS? I'm > > > particularly concerned about my arms. A friend with MS for 40 > years > > > can't use her legs, but her arms and upper body are very strong. > > > I'll work on my arms if exercise would help, but I've been under > the > > > impression that it doesn't. Thanks. > > > Edith > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2004 Report Share Posted October 8, 2004 Thanks. I've tried standing at the sink and stretching back, and that does help. I'll be sure to do it more often. Edith > > > I forgot to add that my PLS symptoms have not gotten any worse. > My > > > neurologist, whom I just saw last Thursday, was surprised about > > how well I > > > was doing. Seems I do that each time I see him now since he > > hospitalized me > > > in Feb 03 for an inflammation in my leg muscles and around my > > spinal cord. > > > I personally don't know what I am doing to keep the progression > > stable, but > > > I thank God for it daily. > > > > > > Mike > > > PLS and exercise > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Will strenthening exercises help slow symptoms of PLS? I'm > > > > particularly concerned about my arms. A friend with MS for 40 > > years > > > > can't use her legs, but her arms and upper body are very strong. > > > > I'll work on my arms if exercise would help, but I've been > under > > the > > > > impression that it doesn't. Thanks. > > > > Edith > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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