Exercise question

[GracieBee]

I have been working out with videos for over 2 decades. Typically they are the FIRM videos with weights. Until about mid-June I was usually doing a 20-50 min. workout 4 times a week with no problems. Now, almost every time I exercise I feel weaker than I used to and afterward I am so spent. Later in the evening I have a lot of leg twitching and then find it hard to sleep because my legs feel so tight and achy.
Could this be MS related and if so is it normal? The feelings are making me want to skip these workouts because they are becoming more of an issue for sleep and relaxation. It's hard to stop or even slow down a habit I've had for so many years.
Thanks for any help or ideas.
Linda (graciebee)

[GracieBee]

Thank you all for your input. I am relating to all the things you all have mentioned. Yes, I do have the same issues with my arms, but I don't notice as much after exercise. During exercise they are much weaker than they used to be. I am going to have to begin by modifying with lighter weights I suppose and talk to the gp when I go back.
Thanks again. I can't tell you how much it just  helps to know that there are other people going through similar experiences and I don't have to feel like a freak of nature anymore.

Linda

[HVAC]

You know your body so it has to be your call. Some exercise is important with MS.

I do a lot of yoga for stretching to help pain. After exercise such as riding I am fatigued and I do hurt some. I find that the less I exercise the more I hurt all together. I tend to stiffen up.

I certainly can't do what I used to. I also break my exercise into blocks with rest in between.

I do a little gardening or yard work most days, swim or walk Polly my Service Dog. Once a week I do formal horse back riding lessons.

I had to work myself up to all of it.

Alex

Alex

[twopack]

One of the factors that got me complaining to my PCP initially (and ended up with the MS diagnosis) was that after walking regularly for 4-5 months in an effort to build my strength and endurance, I was only getting weaker and more symptomatic.

I'm wondering if you are having problems with your arms too, or just the legs.  I find that even on my best days now I have difficulty if I try to do too much with my legs.  They just lose power very quickly.  I have found that I can push through to longer bike and step type exercising if I use recumbant machines with little or no resistance.  It's all the workout I can manage but I usually feel better instead of worse afterwards.

I wonder if your work outs are resulting in spasticity.  It's a tricky thing to deal with because it seems to be triggered by both too little AND too much activity.  You may have reached a point where you have to play the game of constantly seeking out the perfect balance between rest and exercise to feel your best.  I find it tricky because just about the time I get it right, something changes and I'm on the balance board again.

I'm also wondering if this good habit is hard to change because doing so will be such a clear indicator that your MS is now cabable of taking away pieces of your self-determination.  That is always a difficult realization.  I'm mad enough to spit at every inch I have to give.

Mary

[michelleislay]

hey linda,

while i have never experienced this, your situation does sound very similar to what others have described here post-exercise.

it can be so heartwrenching to have to change things that have been a constant in your life.  my only suggestion would be to chat with your doc. first to discuss the feaseability of carrying on with your current regime.  depending on what is decided, perhaps you could be referred to a sports doc. to talk about how to modify it.  i used to work at a sports med. clinic and all of the physicians there were keen on keeping people active in the sport/activity they loved, despite the injury/disability.  often a way can be found and even if it doesn't wind up being your workout of choice, there surely is a way to keep you active and happy!  swimming or other low-impact aerobics would likely be good places to start.

best of luck,

xo michelle