MS and foot drop when running

Lindsay,
I was diagnosed with MS a year ago and I have the same preoblem (with my left foot). It is definitely an MS symptom. The catch 22 is that while trying to strengthen yourself, you bring on the symptoms. It's frustrating. I went on the Swank diet (low fat - no dairy or red meat) and lost 40 pounds. This naturally helped me lengthen my running distance. I know Montel Williams (celebrity with MS) does certain excersizes to strengthen the leg and joint muscles. He snowboards which heightens his eye to leg coordination.
I am not on any medication at this point - not sure if you are.
Hope this helps!
Marc

Hi Lindsay

I have had MS for over 25 yrs. I first noticed the tripping after I had been running/playing racquetball for about 30 minutes (3 yrs after diagnosis). I switched to biking. As the years progressed, I noticed I had to consciously focus on picking up my foot. For the last two years I am unable to lift my foot so I do use a cane for extra support. As much as I at first hated using a cane (it sat in my closet for five years!), falling on my face was not a pleasant alternative.

Getting exercise is more of a challenge; however, indoor treadmills, stairmasters and elliptical machines work just fine.

Take care,
Roxanne

Hi Lindsay,

I am in the same boat! I was diagnosed w MS in 2001, I am physically fit because I force myself to be (far more than I should by the way). I started training for a half marathon last year, i completed my 3 one this June past. I can run at a sub 2hour half marathon pace for 15 km, then everything falls apart. I lose foot flexion, then I catch my foot and have to hobble the rest of teh way. One thing that I have experimented with that actually allows me to run 21km in 2 hours is run/walking. I usual will run 10km, then run/walk the remaining 11km, walking well before my foot start dropping. My suggestion is experiment, and try not to get too frustrated (advice i wish I was better at taking myself!) Good luck!

It has been about three years since I started using the XFT-2001 foot drop device. The first thing I mention to medical professionals is that I take more steps correctly than I do incorrectly. I re-read what I had previously written and basically the improvements are the same. I have no hip and knee pain with continued use of the XFT-2001 foot drop device (there have been a few times where I couldn’t use the XFT-2001 on a daily basis and I almost immediately started to feel pain in my hips and knees. Back pain has been reduced significantly but if I over-do it, I will have pain. Stiffness has been reduced. My gait is better than pre-XFT foot drop device and stability is better but still poor. I believe it continues to boost my energy level but I just don’t notice it - it has become part of my being. And most important, greatly reduced drop foot. I still use a cane and look for every sturdy object to get from here to there when not using a cane or cart.