hyper-sensitivity
 

Gloves for a hand(s) when hyper-sensitive (painful, numb) to anything you may touch.

Mobility
 

Forearm crutches are good.
Regular crutches are bad...do not use, good balance IS required.

In the Kitchen
 

Learn how to use a chef's knife and cutting board, it's much more efficient and far safer than a paring knife.

Drinking - Use lids
 

Use cups/glasses with lids and a straw or flip lid. It helps prevent spills due to coordination/tremor issues.

Helping hands
 

Teach your children & other primary people to do the little basic things exactly how you do them so that if/when the need arises, asking for the little helps will not tax your patience and test your relationships.

The Grabber
 

I have a longish stick with prongs at the end to grab and hold things that are out of reach. I use it all the time. I can even change light bulbs with it.

I got it at Dr. Leonards

Become picky about shoes. Finding the right ones for you can be important. I have two pairs of slip on Merrells for the days it's hard for me to tie shoe laces. One pair is winter friendly and is helpful on ice. I also have a pair of Crocs with the nubs on the inside of the sole, and it helps me to feel the floor when I'm really numb.

If you enjoy fresh herbs, a pizza cutter can help cut them up.

Medications
 

Keep a current, type-written list of all medication you're on, the strength and dosage. Keeping this list saved on your computer makes it easy to update when a new med is introduced or one is eliminated.

It's also a good idea to keep a printed copy handy (and in a convenient place like on the refrigerator door) so that emergency medical personnel or friends/family can locate it in case of an emergency.

rubber bands are your friend
 

You can wrap rubber bands around door knobs to make them easier to grip. water faucets, or other things that are hard to hold.

Wrap them around water glasses to make them less likely to fall from your hands.

I use color bands around my pill bottles. I know at a glance the purple band is my baclofen, the White is my xanax. I dont need to pull out my glasses at 3am when I need a baclofen.

know your pills!
 

we are on a wide variety of pills at any given time, but its important to know what your pills look like at a glance.

If the pharmacy give you a blue pill when you are expecting white ones, you will know to question it.

If you have to, take a white sheet of paper, lay each pill down, and write beside it, what the name is. Take a photo of it, and keep a copy. If you forget, you can always pull out the copy. Its too easy to get the wrong pills at the pharmacy, or if you are in the hospital.

Dont forget your suppliments. Become familiar with what they are supposed to look like.

Fitness— Respiratory
 

Find your lungbrush! MS often leads to a more sedentary lifestyle which leads to shallow, weak breathing habits. If breathing exercises bore you, dust off that old wind instrument.

If your fingers are shot, lock yourself in a room or car and sing at the top of your lungs, or attend local sporting events and become an avid cheerer, or make a point of laughing hard and often, or get a harmonica.

Be sure to seat yourself in a safe position before beginning, if you're doing it right, you'll get winded and maybe woozy. ; )

Shower Tip/Dumb Fingers
 

Keep a dollar store hairbrush in the shower to scrub your scalp and distribute conditioner. It works well and feels good as a bonus!

Other health issues..
 

listen to your sleep needs
 

nap or rest when your body tells you to, get in key to listen to your body!!
(I have to better learn this one in my busy life)

I use an ice cube tray for the meds and vitamins. I can sort out 16 days at a time and there's lots of room for all the pills. I take out the morning pills from the section and I'm set.

I only have to do the sorting once every two weeks or so. It's a time saver and helps me to remember all of my pills and vitamins.