It’s a thumbs up from my left foot
Do you remember the TV programme Happy Days? The Fonz would stick his thumbs up and say 'Heey!' Well my left foot thinks she’s the Fonz. Almost every night the big toe does a thumbs up while I say 'Ouch!'
Sometimes the Fonz doesn’t appear: when I remember to stretch or massage my legs and exercise during the day without spending too much time seated. When I remember to keep my stress levels down by doing some focused breathing. And to drink tonic water and eat foods that are non-inflammatory (that rules out cakes and pies).
When I remember to do all those things, sometimes the Fonz doesn’t appear.
As I hear many people say, life gets in the way. I’m not the busiest person. But I often feel I spend at least half of my functioning hours every day just managing MS symptoms.
It's not all bad
- It happens at night when I’ve honoured all my commitments.
- Sometimes it makes me laugh, if it’s not too painful.
- I have worse symptoms than the Fonz toe.
- If it stops me from sleeping I catch up with podcasts.
There’s more I could do
I’ve heard magnesium could help this symptom but I haven’t tried it yet. I think I’m waiting till it gets worse. Also, there’s a muscle at the side of the leg and if that can be massaged enough then it can ease or cure this symptom too for me. Though by the time I remember that, my leg muscles are usually like concrete.
Maybe what I need to work on is my memory.
Going forward
Writing this has helped me realise I could do more to help myself. If you’re still reading I hope it’s helped you too.
The Fonz was OK but he’s had his day. And if I can stop my left foot from giving the thumbs up, maybe my days will be happy ones too.
