Disappearing Muscles - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

EL18 · 09-27-2007, 06:01 AM

HI, I was hoping someone could help me out here.

I seem to be loosing all my muscles definition/size in my legs, mostly in my calves which have been driving me mad with cramps and spasms. They constantly seem to ache too. I found out yesterday I had a raised level of CK muscles enzymes, I am still trying to figure out what that means. But my questions is could the 2 be related? I can walk etc so I don't think the muscle wastage is due to non use.

Any advice would be great...thanks

MSJayhawk · 09-27-2007, 06:51 AM

I do not know how old you are, but after 35 years of age, the body generally loses muscle mass. If you are walking, that is great. For calf muscles, use toe raises or an exercise bike. These two exercises are very good for calves.

If you have a support bar, hold on to it and practice leg squats. These will help define thighs (the exercise bike will too). If you are still able to do so, a leg press machine will help.

It is very important to determine your muscle fatigue limit and to stop long before that limit is reached. MS patients generally have a longer recovery time required for muscles. If you are sore after exercising or the following day, you have gone over your limit.

You may wish to checkout a workout designed for your particular condition. A rehabilitation nurse or rehabilitation specialist can assist you in designing an exercise program.

glamour girl · 09-27-2007, 07:23 AM

I was going to the gym 4 times a week and felt fantastic, tired , yes. But at least it was from doing something. I woke up muscles i forgot existed. After my relapse, i felt i lost my fitness. A physio said to me . You can lose yr fitness just over 3 weeks, if you don't exercise. Maybe that s true. Not sure but MSJayhawk said. Get into some kind of exercise. I'm no doctor but, It might actually help with those spasms i think. I've been doing physio for a few months now and feeling sooo much better, ready to go back to the gym.

EL18 · 09-27-2007, 09:41 AM

Hi you two and thanks for responding.

I have been referred for physio now, just waiting for appointments etc. I have tried to do exercise but it just made everything worse. Before this happended I was swimming 1 to 2 miles a night so I thought swimming would be a safe bet. Hardly did anything but my muscles went crazy, at the moment even walking up stairs or standing for too long so sets everything off. I know this could be because I haven't donw any significant exercise and have tried to 'push' through but I seem to suffer for days afterwards at the moment....let's hope that will improve. I have spoken to my doctor since I posted this question and she explained the whole ck, spasms/cramps and muscle wastage. She said something is damaging my muscles, this could be due to the nerve problems etc but they are keeping a close eye on the levels.

Thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate it.

taosdaphne · 09-27-2007, 11:31 AM

I identify. My left quad looks like it's ready for a triathalon, but the right looks as if it just left the polio ward. I've been told to sigificantly decrease my time in the pool, but I'm doing core exercizez and leg exercizes--2x as many reps on the right side, where the MS is significantly worse. Looking for a PT with MS experience, but no luck yet. I just think enough myelin or nerve has been destroyed that the muzcles aren't getting the message to bulk up.