multiple sclerosis

is there anyone out there who runs despite having MS? I was pretty keen (aiming for a sub-3:30 marathon) until diagnosed last August; now I can still run but my gait is affected & it is all a struggle and not so much fun somehow - but I am not ready to give up quite yet! If anyone has any experience of this & tips on how to cope, I would be v grateful to hear of them. Thanks

Comments

  • There was a feature in RW a couple of years ago about a girl who had MS but was still managing to run - I think she was running half marathons?

    Sorry, can't be of any more help but it might be worth emailing RW to see if they can send you a copy of the article.
  • No words of wisdom, just a message of support.
  • Sorry, I can not help but wish you all the best!
  • Find a physio who specialises in MS (a neurophysio) - you'll be able to get details from your GP or MS nurse- and they'll give you all the advice and encouragement you need. Don't give up - there will be hard times, but you'll soon get control of your symptoms as long as you fully understand your condition and its implications.

    The only advice I can give you, from what I've seen of other sportspeople with MS, is keep yourself healthy - your symptoms will be much worse if your immune system is low.

    Good luck and stay strong, S x
  • CF

    Not much that can be added to the above - you clearly have a goal, and I say go for it.

    SLM is right, there will be hard times, but you can always come here for moral support.

    My very best wishes.
  • NessieNessie ✭✭✭
    If it's any inspiration, there's a football player in the Ross County team (Scottish 1st Division) who was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago, and still plays most weeks in the first team.

    Have you visited the MS Society website? (www.mssociety.org.uk) There's a lot of information and advice regarding the condition there.
  • thanks very much everyone for the encouragement & ideas. I shall try to get a copy of that RW article, and shall bully my Dr a bit harder next time for names of suitable physios (at the moment, because I am still fairly mobile they don't seem to think that I need physio etc). And in the meantime, just keep trying & hope that things get easier with time.
    Keep running all!
  • Try your local physio clinic too. Mine has all sorts of patients, young and old, with a range of disorders, not just sports injuries.
    They should also be able to point you in another direction if you draw a blank. Your GP on the other hand is probably at a loss - mine is with my arthritis.
    There is also bound to be a surprising amount of info on the web - you just need time to go through it. Do try the MS society, and post messages on as many info discussion boards as poss.

    Good luck and keep well xx
  • HelegantHelegant ✭✭✭
    No advice, just good wishes from me. XX
  • I see it's some years since you made this post, just interested to hear how you are getting on ?

    I also have MS and have continued to run, although there are times when it is tuff going - if I can compare it to anything, I have two very good friends both with MS friendships way exceed our MS diagnoses. We all have very different life styles,I am without doubt the least affected so far, is it down to exercise and a very clean life style or  is it just the straw you draw? don't know.

    I wonder often if tomowrrow will be very different, but I'm just going to keep going until I can't.

  • Hi there. CF andHenry 63 and others I've just been diagnosed with MS.

     I have ran three slow marathons, last one on 16 March in Rome. Diagnoses all new, but just thought I would try to come on here to find out if there are people running with MS. I have to wait and see how this is going to pan out for me as symptoms currently are a bit scary., although Doctors say they are hopeful ? I would love to think that these symptoms will go away and that I can start running again,(shorter miles) as a way to keep healthy and  strong for future.

    So it would be lovely to chat more if you get this message.

    All the best Tiddles

  • Hi Tiddles,

     Great to hear from someone in the same boat, not that it's great having MS, it's a real nuisance. Regard myself very lucky that I have no major disability and have been disganosed a few years now, so things are looking good, the longer without relapse the more positive the outcome hopefully, keeping fingers crossed.   Have worked with someone who became severley disabled in a very short space of time, so I am forever grateful that hasn't happened to me,  also a close friend who also has a fairly high degree of disability but manages to soldier on despite everything.

    Truly believe keeping as fit as possible helps, there will be times that it's simply not possible, but when you can, go for it, the stronger you are helps you through the times you can't function fully. Swimming to keep you cardio strong is good and much easier on you,so in the bad times swim. All those numb bits and pins and needlesthe dragging leg or legs etc they are really irritating, but I just carry on you get use to it sort of.

     Keep on running I have, it does your sole good, even if I am slower than I want to be, who cares, never judge a book by the cover if people knew what you were struggling against they would applaud you so keep on running!

    take care.

  • I know this is an old thread but just wondered how everybody's doing?



    I've been recently diagnosed with MS and now that I'm back in remission am back running again although I think it'll be a while before I'm back to my previous weekly mileage of 20!



    Was just looking for some tips if anyone has any....
  • I am still managing to run and I'm eight years diagnosed, strongly believe my life style has been a saviour for me. I think Weight training is also essential, think it helps to keep gait problems under control to some degree.

    I haven't had just as good a year, a number of flare ups and some long lasting but, each time I'm able to return to running, it's frustrating as it can feel like starting from scratch some of the time.image

    My Gait is certainly an issue as it does cause injury you have to pay attention to that and not push on to much, difficult I know, but you can end up with knee, ankle hip problems that are painful. 

    I did invest in a treadmill last year, which I have got use to using, I feel more secure and not as exposed as when I'm outdoors, but I'm determined to run for as long as its physically possible. Don't let people put you off running because you ahve MS as many will, I've managed for 8 years maybe not as many miles 10 -12 per week now, but I can still do it, Tortoise and the Hare is what I believe in, keep on running Happy Bunny! 

  • Thanks so much Henny - it's good to hear that you are still able to train. Although I'm newly diagnosed it's thought that I have had this for many years during which time I've been very active - I'm sure it's being fit that has helped me - the only difference is that I now know why I trip and fall a lot - many a time I've returned from a run with scabby knees!

    My last relapse knocked me for six and its taking a while for things to settle down - at least I now have an excuse for being slow!



    I hope you're keeping we'll now image
  • ZouseZouse ✭✭✭

    Hi All,

    I know I am resurrecting an old thread here, but I'm new to RW & I'm looking for folks who have experience of running with MS. 

    I was diagnosed earlier this year, but ran 2 HMs in March & have maintained the running since. I've a charity place in VLM 2016, but it will be my first marathon, and I would like to talk to someone who has either put themselves through the training, or helped someone else through.

    Is anybody still around & are you still running? image

     

  • I don't think they've posted since 2012. Maybe they'll see the post and come back ?
  • ZouseZouse ✭✭✭

    Hmmm. I know it's a long shot, but I hope someone picks this up.

  • Hi Zouse.  I was diagnosed 3 months after running London in 2012 but looking back its evident I've had MS for many years, and during that time I've run 3 marathons and many half marathons and 10ks too. 

    I'm still running but not as often and not as far, purely because I'm enjoying other stuff - I joined a surf lifesaving club so most of my spare time is spent on or in the pool or sea.  

    in 2012 when I last did London I was training 3 times a week and that was enough to get me round. It's tough - you have to listen to your body, ms fatigue feels a lot like mile 20 of a marathon.  Also if you're on a treatment plan you might want to plan training around that depending on you're feeling.

  • ZouseZouse ✭✭✭

    Well Happy Bunny, I am very glad to hear that you are still more active than your average Joe Bloggs!

    How did you factor in your MS to your marathon training?

    I'm fortunate enough to make a good recovery from my relapses, and I'm currently able-bodied - apart from vision, but don't want to push myself into another relapse, and I am wondering how to best go about this?

    I was thinking of following a classic 16 week programme, but starting a couple of months early (i.e. now!), just in case anything falls off or my brain goes ping. This would mean that if I start to struggle, I can have a few weeks rest, or repeat a week?

    Fatigue doesn't seem to be an issue at the moment - I'm running 25-30 miles a week in 3 or 4 runs, and running with a club on tuesdays, which is really helping my pace.

    Meds aren't an issue either, as I don't take any.

    Does this approach sound sensible to you?

  • ZouseZouse ✭✭✭

    Oh, and THANK YOU!

     

    (I forget my manners, I am so rude)

  • Hi Zouse, that's ok - your plan sounds good to me!

    MS wasn't factored into my marathon training as I didn't know I had MS until afterwards! I ran VLM in the April and then had a massive relapse in June which led to diagnosis.  Previous relapses were few and far between so it took while to figure out what was wrong with me. Like you, I always made a full recovery afterwards. 

    I've not done marathon distance since but set a half marathon pb last year on just 3 training runs a week. There's no way of telling what brings on a relapse and your approach sounds very sensible to me - use it or lose it I say!

    good luck and let us know how you get on.

  • ZouseZouse ✭✭✭

    Thanks Happy Bunny!

    Personal question, I know (and sorry if it's to much like prying), but in retrospect, do you think training & running VLM had anything to do with your relapse a couple of months later?

    Very pleased to hear you recover fully. Most encouraging!

    I completely agree with the 'use it or lose it' mantra. Thankfully my Docs do too, now, although it has taken a while to convince them!

  • Taking on a marathon is a big deal for anyone but an even bigger one when you have a health condition so I fully understand any concerns you may have.

    personally, I don't think that it played any part in my relapse and neither does my neurologist. But even if it did, I'm convinced that my level of fitness and strength played a big part in my recovery. some of my distant relatives think I should take it easy (that's why I keep them distant!). As for my GP, I last saw him 3 years ago while I was waiting for my scan results and he told me I couldn't possibly have MS because people with MS cannot run marathons!!

  • ZouseZouse ✭✭✭

    Thanks for your encouragement, Happy Bunny! It sounds as if you have control of your MS & long may that continue!

     

    It makes me very happy to read this. image

     

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