Neurotech Blog
My experience of using VOXX Products with progressive MS
Background Story
Just six weeks ago I had an operation and an MS relapse followed (my first in four years!) My former coach, Lincoln Asquith has been pestering me for a while to come and try and try Voxx socks and insoles. I was very sceptical and not willing to listen.
My relapse left me bedbound and literally with no hope. I have had many treatments for MS including Lemtrada and HSCT (a stem cell transplant with chemotherapy) neither of which worked. I have a very high EDSS score of 7.5, I have footdrop both sides, I struggle to stand and transfer, my left arm doesn’t work and I am extremely weak with severe spasticity. I am wheelchair-bound.
This month I was the lowest I’ve ever been and in the worst shape I’ve ever been. I decided to go and see my coach and try the socks and insoles as I had nothing to lose. I agreed to keep a diary and state if I saw any differences.
Wednesday 13/11/2019
Within a few minutes of putting on the socks I was able to stand much stronger and activate my muscles including my glutes to stand for a period of 30 to 40 seconds. your content you can customise the design using different colours, fonts, font sizes and bullets. Just highlight the words you want to design and choose from the various options in the text editing bar.
Thursday 14/11/2019
Poor sleep, but able to move myself around in bed. I was able to move position in the car to release pressure on my spine. Standing felt stronger.
Friday 15th of November
Quiet day, tired due to poor sleep. Standing still strong.
Saturday 16th November
Excellent night’s sleep. Stood up out my shower chair. Feel very well. Stayed up till 4 am as we were home partying.
Sunday 17th of November
Quiet day, spent most of it sleeping!
Monday 18th of November
Poor night sleep, ended up sleeping in. Did some good standing recorded at 57 seconds . Second stand was the best and probably stood for longer.
Tuesday 19th November
Did not sleep in the socks but slept a lot better I was ready and awake a lot earlier. Managed to do some walking today and a few stands I wasn’t as good as yesterday time wise. I completed 186 steps. Later after a short rest, I managed to do two more stands, the first I stood for one minutes and seven seconds, the second was shorter but I stood up more by myself. I was then absolutely exhausted and slept.
Wednesday 20th November
Quite a good night sleep, but broken in the middle. Felt very sore today, especially my legs and lower back. Rest day so decided massage and stretching would be best. The transfers I did do were strong. Feeling strong mentally and physically and a lot more positive.
Thursday 21st November
I had an appointment/assessment with a physiotherapist at the hydro therapy centre in Worcester. She was very impressed with my standing I was able to walk a few steps but they weren’t very good. Overall, standing is a lot better.
Friday 22nd of November
Excellent physio session today! Lots of pushing and pulling my legs and arms. I was really pleased with my strength. Standing strong. Overall feel a lot more alert and mentally positive.
Saturday 23rd of November
Standing strong and able to take a few steps today today using my new trainers. More practice is needed! Still feeling more positive and alert, not sleeping as much in the day. I still need to try and wear the socks through the night again.
Sunday 24th of November
A friend from Canada bought me some more socks and the arm sleeve. The arm sleeve is for my right arm. I was able to raise my arm above my head three times for at least 15 seconds and my fingers were straight, I was very shocked! Standing is still a lot stronger and transfer is much better. I’m going to try and sleep in the socks again tonight.
Monday 25th November 2019
This has been the best day so far in terms of strength, standing and arm action. Brilliant physio session using isometric stretching, I was already a lot stronger today than Friday. I also had to write my signature and I could not believe the difference in my writing standard, it is unbelievable! We are going to start videoing the evidence of the improvements I am making.
A picture of me wearing the sleeves and the photos below show the difference in my handwriting when wearing the sleeve.
Tuesday 26th of November
Poor sleep. My spasticity was really bad during the night. I’m not sure the socks are a good idea to sleep in. Because my spasticity was so bad, we just focused on passive stretching today to try and loosen my muscles. Standing still felt stronger.
Wednesday 27th of November 2019
Poor sleep again, spasticity a little better. Excellent physio session today. We used the sleeve to demonstrate how easy it is for me to lift my arm go above my head when I’m wearing it. The action is much stronger. We then tried to do some stands, the first I tried to stand myself, but was unable to do so. With assistance my standing got better and the second stand was much stronger. I then practiced my walking using the socks for the first time, I managed 188 steps, but my bioness L300 go we are not being particularly responsive. Videos coming soon!
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Thursday 28th of November 2019
Slept much better, I didn’t wear the socks and I took CBD oil. I was tired due to lots of exercise this week so had a therapeutic massage.
Friday 29th of November 2019
Did not sleep well. Quite a stressful morning so did not manage to exercise. Transfers were okay.
Saturday 30th of November 2019
Slept okay, did no exercise today, but went out with the family to Merryhill for shopping and food which I tolerated better than normal.
Sunday first of December 2019
Slept okay, but still felt tired. Quiet day.
Monday second of December 2019
Worst night sleep in a long time! I had to come downstairs at 6 am and sleep on my comfy chair in the sitting room. I felt tired and not myself all day. Felt weak and tired all day.
Tuesday third of December 2019
Slept a lot better after taking melatonin. I managed to complete three strong stance. The first was for one minute 52 seconds, second for 1.54 minutes and the third for two minutes 32 seconds. My standing felt strong.
Wednesday 4th of December to Wednesday 11th of December
I have continued to work on my physiotherapy and noticed a positive difference when I wear the socks and sleeves.
Thursday 12th of December
Although I felt tired I started hydrotherapy today. I had a really good session which lasted 45 minutes although I was very tired after! I need to try the patches to see if they make a difference when I am in the water.
Monday 16th of December
Excellent physio session today even though I had poor sleep.
Tuesday and Wednesday the 17th and 18th of December
Spasticity is really bad today, have slept well but unable to exercise.
Thursday 19th of December
Another hydrotherapy session, this was difficult due to high levels of spasticity. Got my new wheelchair accessible vehicle.😊
Friday 20th of December
Spasticity much better today, went for Botox injections and legs and arms. Hopefully this will manage my spasticity better very soon. It was so much better going in my new car I love felt so much more freedom as I was able to use my electric wheelchair.
Saturday 21st of December
Spasticity still better. Went out at 6:30 with the kids and my husband around Merryhill shopping and eating food. This would not of been possible a few weeks ago as I would’ve been too tired.
