I am becoming very stiff and have trouble walking as time passes. When I walk a lot I end up dragging my feet. I have to walk very slow so as not to fall. Even though I am very active and continue walking but I don't know if I will make things worse. I do rest in between and at times I have to rest to just continue. Any advice on what will help my stiffness and walkng.
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Q: Any medicine or remedy for muscle stiffness and help for walking.
Answers (5)
7/ 2/10 2:10pm
7/ 1/10 9:06am
Ann,
I have had trouble with walking, falling, balance, and other things that are related to mobility. I am taking a medication called 4-aminopydidine. Taking 20 mg a day, it makes a big difference. Ampyra is the approved alternative to 4-ap. It has just recently been approved, so it is more expensive than 4-ap. My doctor just prescribed Baclofen for stiffness. It seems to help.
You may need to talk to your doctor about this. He may prescribe som physical therapy for you.
Do you take any of the MS meds?
Sarah
7/ 2/10 11:03pm
No, I do not need to take medication as of now. I just went to the neuro and he is going to do a nerve conduction velocity test because he feels I might have some kind of nerve damage in my legs. That is what he thinks when he did the reflexes and all the other manual test. So I am going to see what this test determine to see if any further action is needed. I was thinking of ampyra or baclofen. I going to wait and see what the doctor say. Thanks for your input.
7/ 8/10 1:16pm
I would like to hear more about your experience with Ampyra. How long have you been on Ampyra and how does it help you? Are you experiencing any side effects? I am thinking of getting on Ampyra. I have trouble walking. I start to limp. I just have chronic UTI's and i'm afraid of the side effect from Ampyra. I know UTI is one of the side effects. My Dr. prescribed me Septra for it. It looks like I have it under control I just don't want to start it up again.
7/ 8/10 8:18pm
I am prescribed 4-aminopydine. It is the same thing as Ampyra, but compounded. It does help.
7/ 9/10 11:52am
Can u go into detail of how it helps. How you're walking was and how it is now. I can tell you for me I had no trouble walking. My speed was good. I couldn't run fast but I could jog. Now 8 months ago I noticed I would start having a slight limp in my walk. 4 months ago that slight limp is now a very noticeable limp on my left leg. It happens almost within 3 mins. of my walking. My questions to anybody on this pill is how has it helped you and if you are experiencing any side effects?
7/ 1/10 10:55pm
I read in a recent journal that there is a new pill coming out in the near future that holds promise. Not to cure anything but it is helpng some people walk again. But remember not everyone in the study gets relief.
7/ 2/10 2:10pm
Try Baclofen 20 mg a day and increase it to 60 mg gradually in 20 mg increments.it might help you.
7/ 8/10 9:25am
I would reccommend you stretch before getting up. Try stretching the back of you leg by doing a heel cord stretch. See this link.http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/cartilage/postop_care/pdfs/exercises_calf.pdf Once you do the stretch sit down and raise your toes off the floor toward your hip. Do as many as you can to strengthen the ankles. If at first it is hard continue for several weeks it will get easier. I would reccommend you stretch before getting up. Try stretching the back of you leg by doing a heel cord stretch. See this link.http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/cartilage/postop_care/pdfs/exercises_calf.pdf Once you do the stretch sit down and raise your toes off the floor toward your hip. Do as many as you can to strengthen the ankles. If at first it is hard continue for several weeks it will get easier. Talk with your doctor for medicines for stiffness. See www.motiontherapeutics.com for other ideas on balance and mobility.
Talk with your doctor for medicines for stiffness. See www.motiontherapeutics.com for other ideas on balance and mobility.
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By Ann— Last Modified: 07/12/11, First Published: 06/30/10
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I agree , I am taking 10 mg. @ 3 xs daily .. for over a year now and it helped tremendously with that heaviness in my calves and am able to walk better .. still do my muscle stretching excersizes to strengthen but what a nice improvement .. agserra