THE PHYSICAL ASPECT – No. 6

I’ve often been asked if I have any pain. The disease itself doesn’t cause any pain directly, but there are a few indirect ways that it does produce some discomfort. Only the motor neurons are affected, so although I can’t move like I used to, I can still feel everything as normal.

Muscle Cramps. I seem to be getting more of these since my diagnosis. They aren’t too intense and don’t last long, but happen quite frequently. I’ve discovered some supplements for muscle cramps that do help, so the cramps have become more of an inconvenience than a major ‘pain in the neck.’

Falling. As the saying goes, “Falling doesn’t hurt—it’s the landing that’s so painful!” Now that I’m no longer walking, I don’t fall anymore. But while I could still get around, falling was an ever-increasing risk. Along with muscle weakness came a corresponding lack of balance that led to quite a few falls. Add to that weakness in my arms that resulted in an inability to catch myself or break my fall, and you a recipe for lots of bruises and, on one occasion, five stitches in my forehead!

Pressure sores. Otherwise known as bedsores, they are the result of a lack of blood circulation caused by one’s weight on a certain area for a long time. Actively mobile people don’t get them because they are constantly moving or shifting their weight. Immobile people get them because they are unable to move around or shift their weight. I’ve only had one small one on my heel. That was a wake-up call for us that we needed to become proactive in preventing others from forming. I now have a daily massage to promote circulation and am careful to stand up every two hours or so.

So, you see, I have had some pain, but nothing serious by any means.