Thanks everyone. . . great sharing and advice.

Walking on feet that feel broken . . .

I just got back from trying to buy the latest issue of Pastel Journal, as an artist featured in the October issue introduced me to the medium. I felt up to it when I left, and hit Borders first. No luck . . . they still had the August issue on the rack. Back to to the car (I was lucky enough to get a good handicapped spot) and on down the road to Barnes and Noble. Again, a close parking spot, but of course magazines are way in the far corner. By now I am hobbling a little, feeling like my feet have been squeezed into rock climbing shoes ( fyi -- these are torture devices that feel wa-a-a-y too small that one wears to get a good grip on steep rock faces while hoisting an able body up the rock . . . I used to do this!) and just hoping that they have my magazine. But, drats!, they have no issues, old, new, or otherwise. I did get to leaf through The Art of Avatar, however, which was a huge disappointment: I was expecting it to be of much higher quality given how stunning I found the film. Well, that was $29.95 saved.

A quick stop at JoAnn to buy some bells for keeping cats away from our bird feeders . . . and a stop at Costco . . . and by the time I was getting into my car I could barely walk. Now I am wishing I had stayed home. I am sitting here trying to remember to breathe through the stinging, burning and totally trashed-feeling in my feet. I have taken a pain pill, but will likely have to inhale some of Eddie's #8 . . . to get enough relief to cook dinner.

Next week-end we are slated to take our grandson to the fair. My dear daughter is already disappointed that I will be unable to do any rides with him. I am just hoping I will be able to enjoy the day and actually get around. It seems way too soon to have to consider renting a scooter for $50 . . . but if I have to I will.

And to think I used to carry a 40# backpack and hike upwards of 12 miles a day, sleep on the ground, and get up and do it again the next day, just for a chance to attempt an ice-and-snow summit push . . . and now just getting out of bed is a chore!

Whew! Thanks. I needed to complain loudly for a minute . . .

I rest a lot. If I overdo it I know I'll suffer so I've had to learn to limit myself. It does get easier when you eventually learn what your body will or will not let you do.

Jim and I used to make long range plans but after losing money by booking hotels, etc we stopped. Oh occasionally we'll make plans but I have to tell Jim to not get sick and he listens for the most part.

i know exactly what you're talking about.
i may have 6 errands on my list but only get 2 done.
then when i get home i have to lay down to get my strength back.
the chair isn't good enuf, it has to be the bed.

just try to pace yourself. listen to your body. going past my limits will make be suffer. i've done that enuf times to know.

just take one day at a time. and, if you use a scooter in order to have a fun day, then so be it.

let us know how your day goes with the little one.

I wish I could let AAA plan and schedule my shopping trips! They need to have a service like that

drugs, rest and meditation.

It takes a lot of concentration to remember to breathe when a shooting pain takes you down! I am working on that, because I know I hold my breath and tense up when I have sudden pain . . . but I seem to do it so automatically! I am trying to train myself to breathe out when I am hit with sudden pain
. . . to breathe and slow down.

Does it ever hurt you worse when you try to rest? I come home from a quick shopping trip and sit down and my feet begin screaming at me. So I get up and walk around on my yoga mat (deep and cushy) to try to alleviate the pain. But to sit down . . . often I am worse off!

The drugs and meditation I can do . . . but the rest takes some effort!

I find sometimes the pain is worse at rest. When I am up and active, I can distract myself, but when I lay down to rest, the world gets quiet, and my mind focuses on painful things.

Breathing is so important! the more you tense up, the more it hurts.

When I rest, or try to sleep, I keep the TV on for something to keep my mind active and that sometimes helps to fool the spasms/pain.

After having a busy day and your MS nerves and muscles are achy....stretch.....just as you do before and after heavy exercise.