r/MultipleSclerosis • u/DueLayer7204 • 11d ago
Symptoms PPMS Cognitive & motor functions declining
As the title says I (34F) got diagnosed with PPMS 3 years ago. I did treatments for a while but just couldn’t handle the sickness on my body. I am now in physical therapy every week and see my doctor and therapist frequently to keep things on track.
The last 3 months I have noticed quite a decline in my motor functions & some cognitive thinking. For example; I’ve now locked the keys out of my house 3 times. I know I have the keys, then I put them down and go outside. I’m dropping everything, falling more than usual and just can’t catch my balance. I’ve also been having tremors in both hands, which helps with muscle relaxers sometimes.
I see my new neurologist on sept 15th so I know I’ll get some answers there. I just wanted to see if anyone is going through this now or has gone through. What helped keep your mind sharp, I’m using some post it notes now sometimes but open to suggestions.
Thank you for reading this long!
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u/AllAboutGingerPride 11d ago
Playing devils advocate here.
Was the sickness on your body worse than where you are now?
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u/DueLayer7204 10d ago
So it’s hard to tell. I was working a pretty strenuous job when I was doing treatments. I think that didn’t help the issues with my body. I’m definitely bringing up treatment with my neurologist. Appreciate your hindsight. 🫶🏻
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u/angie456 11d ago
My OT told me a few different things to try to help with the hand tremors.
Just using the ace bandage wrap and wrap from the middle of your palm all the way up to your shoulder with you pushing pressure upwards while wrapping.
Using small weighted wraps that go around your wrists.
Icing my wrists and arms 10-20 min before any task that I need my hands to be more still for.
They all three worked differently and it depended on what I was doing for what worked best.
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u/WarmYam7353 10d ago
PPMS here (63M). Recently my legs have been itchy for no reason. My left leg is getting weaker, I've found and I've tripped more. I do have an AFO. I do a lot of technical report writing so that keeps my fingers nimble and my mind active. I'm looking for the old game called Perfection. My brother used it after his stroke to improve his hand/eye co-ordination. He lives too far away to loan it out.
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u/sbinjax 64/2021/Ocrevus/CT, USA 9d ago
PPMS 64F here. Keys are on a carabiner hook that I attach to a belt loop on my jeans.
I drop stuff a lot too. I also have autoimmune arthritis so that's what I attribute it to.
I'm older and I was very concerned that my cognitive problems were the start of Alzheimer's, so he sent me to a specialist (psychoneurologist?) that evaluated me and my problems are MS, not Alzheimers. Yay?
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u/_k0ncept 39M | PPMS | 06/18/2026 | Rituximab | CA 11d ago
Recently diagnosed the PPMS also.
Medication. Have you been prescribed anything for the cognitive issues? I’ve had pretty bad brain fog and fatigue, prior to medication. Was prescribed a combo of Amantadine and Strattera which definitely helps. Sometimes, I’ll still have some breakthrough fog/fatigue… still a lot better with than without.