Recent diagnosis of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

hi im 25 and i was recently diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and my only slight problem is with my balance. i mainly lose my balance to my left and ive noticed that after walking for more than say 20 mins i really start slamming my feet into the ground hard

i had lots of tests dome but the one that gave them the diagnosis was a CAT scan which showed that i had swelling in my brain and upper back

i dont know any more than this sorry but the feeling that im getting from my body is that i could get to 100%

i was wondering if anybody could offer some specific exercises to improve my balance and walking

oh and i recently joined a gym so if u cud give any advice over what equipment i shud be using that wud be great

and ive gone from 17.5 to 15 stones since diagnosis

Hi Suinegrekopa, thanks for your post. I've posted some general info for all reading this post and then a little commentary. Maybe we'll get some other individuals with RRMS that can add comments about what has and hasn't worked for them.

The Mulpiple Sclerosis Society defines RRMS as follows: "Relapsing remitting" MS is the most common type of MS, affecting around 85 per cent of everyone diagnosed with MS. It means that symptoms appear (a relapse), and then fade away, either partially or completely (remitting). Relapses can last for days, weeks or months and recovery can be slow and gradual or almost instantaneous. The vast majority of people presenting with Multiple Sclerosis are first diagnosed with relapsing/remitting. This is typically when they are in their twenties or thirties, though diagnoses much earlier or later are known. Twice as many women as men present with this variety.

A little more info: During relapses, myelin, a protective insulating sheath around the nerve fibres (neurons) in the white matter regions of the central nervous system (CNS), is damaged in an inflammatory response by the body's own immune system. This causes a wide variety of neurological symptoms that vary considerably depending on which areas of the CNS are damaged.

Immediately after a relapse, the inflamatory response dies down and a special type of glial cell in the CNS (called an oligodendrocyte) sponsors remyelination - a process whereby the myelin sheath around the axon is repaired. It is this remyelination that is responsible for the remission.

At any one time, the Relapsing-Remitting form of the disease accounts around 55% of all people with multiple sclerosis.

In general my thoughts on MS from seeing many clients over the years is that when you are having an exacerbation take it easy. Stay health and stay mentally positive (a very important thing to do). When you are in remission try to do gentle regular exercise and build up slowly. I remember an article about 20yrs back on an American with MS who was told he should not exercise as over-heating was bad for the condition. They still say that some individuals with MS feel that the heat exacerbates their symptoms. To be honest working out in the heat makes anyone feel more tired so I think that's an individual decission. He decided to swim and in the beginning he could do one lap.

A year later he was doing 1-2hrs swimming. A man on a mission. It did show that he did what he felt he could do. Sounds like you are listening to the body so when you're feeling good keep the exercise going. Like anyone you need to 'train to train', i.e. spend 8-12 weeks getting the body used to the idea of exercising. The build up slowly remembering that the key is to stay slightly stronger than what you need to everyday life. There's no need having a huge level of strength beyond what you need, just enough that your daily needs seems easier as a result.

Hope some of the above helps. As for specific walking exercise, walking is the best way to train for walking :)

Useful Websites:

All About Multiple Sclerosis : MS news and information on diagnosis, symptoms & treatments - great list of ongoing drugs, personal experiences etc.

Treatment and Side Effect Info from Patients Like You : PatientsLikeMe - a new initiative for global collaboration between patients with similar diagnoses