walking

[mom]

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

My legs (one more than the other) feel so weak, when I get tired (after walking a while) they start feeling so heavy and stiff. My husband says I start dragging my feet (kind of turning the one outward). I also have poor balance, so I start tripping and staggering. I trip over my own feet and toes (especially when going down a step). I honestly start felling like I can't go on. If I stop I have a hard time starting back up- like I have lost my momentum. I think this is due to the weakness. This trouble starting back up is what I really want to know if anyone else has experienced.

Also, my arches get sore. They, for some reason, have gotten a lot higher. Any ideas why? I am using inserts in my shoes now, but my shoe now seems to big and slips off the back of my foot (again one more than the other) even though it fit a month ago.

I have an appointment with a movement disorder specialist coming up- will they be able to tell me anything? I am scared of being told there is nothing wrong with me. Am I the only one that feels that way? I know something is wrong with my body- and I am tired of being put under a microscope, being poked and prodded (and shocked). I just want to know what is going on with me. And I am tired of dreaming that I look down and realize I have huge elephant legs and realize that that is why I have trouble walking LOL

 

[CindyM]

Hello Mom. Boy, can I relate. I have been experiencing the exact same symptoms since July of 2006 and still waiting for a DX. Sometimes it is hard to be patient. Now the ALS clinic is talking about another round of tests - I think they were buying time to see if my condition progressed. I always advice people to stay calm and keep busy but sometimes it is hard to take my own advice!

Good luck getting answers and keep in touch! Cindy

 

[mlb]

Hi mom/Cindy

Asides the leg symptoms, how is your overall health? While waiting for a diagnosis have you tried seeing a homeopath? A Chinese Herbalist? A Naturopath? There are so many illnesses that present symptoms that manifest themselves in an area of the body but have nothing to do with that part.

Since you are on this forum, I take it there has been talk about ALS by your doctors? What I am trying to say is ... DON'T SIT AND WAIT. Try alternative methods in the meantime.

Just as an example... I visited my optometrist (Hong Kong Chinese) for a check up. He told me that I had a cholesterol ring in my eyes. I asked my GP to do a test and the optometrist was absolutely correct in his diagnosis. Now who would have thought that the optometrist would diagnose a condition that has nothing to do with the eyes?

Please give anything a try... INTELLIGENTLY so.

Take care
Anna