yes...kicker, that is exactly what I do. I don't want my kids to see me differently, so I push myself to do stuff. My daughter that wanted to go to one more thrift store is 14 years old. She has sooooooooo much energy, that it hard for her to understand that I get exhausted so easily.

Kicker and Daisy......I totally understand and I do the same thing. My boys are grown.....27 and 23.....but they forget that Mom's slow and sometimes I get left behind. Literally!

When they get way ahead of me I just continue walking at my pace knowing they'll eventually look back and realize that I'm not there! That's what it takes for them to understand. Not me pushing myself to keep up....but me going at my own comfortable pace and them slowing down to stay in step with me. I tell them if they want to go faster I'll catch up but I can't do the marathon walking through the mall anymore.

In a way I'm glad they don't understand.....I just want them to be able to do the things I can't. If someone has to have this crappy disease I'd rather it be me than them.

The days of my pushing myself beyond my limits is over, since my kids are grown and DH has passed. Although I do go a little over my limit for my Grands.....but not as much as I'd like to do.

It's not so much exhaustion as it is, just cannot do it anymore.

You're doing great Daisy, when my girl was 14, she was driving me to fatigue, every day, too.

My boys drove me to fatigue when they were teenagers, too, and I didn't even have MS back then (that I knew of)!

When I'm feeling bad, telling myself my kids are fine helps me. When I taught Emotionally Disturbed Teens, many simmering with anger at Parents who were suppose to love them but instead gave them physical, mental and some sexual abuse or neglect, I learned a little about courage and going on. I'd rather be it me with this MS, not the kids or DH. Thinking about it, I feel stronger and better.

Daisy,
I found that when you play, you pay. It is called overdoing it. You have to know when to stop what you are doing, rest or nap, then continue on.

If you push past the fatigue point, like we all do at times, the next day or two you will have to rest up. Our body doesn't like to be pushed too hard. It is a signal from our brain to take it easy and rest, or pay the piper.

As Kicker said, there is spoon story, that explains it very well. Maybe she still has a copy of it to show you.

I found this old information about getting fatigued and why.

Fatigue (Lassitude) Is a debilitating kind of overall weariness, which is unpredictable and out of proportion to the activity.

Any increase in your body temperature will temporarily worsen fatigue; conversely, air-conditioning or a cool drink will lower your temperature, enabling you to feel better and continue.

Some Causes Of Fatigue
*Nerve Fiber Fatigue (Conduction Failure)
*MS Process Fatigue (Due To Inflammation)
*Fatigue Of Handicap (Increased Effort)

*Fatigue from a current infection
*Iatrogenic Fatigue (Caused By Medication)
*Fatigue from disrupted Sleep
*Fatigue associated with Depression

Even a good night's sleep does not always relieve MS Fatigue. You wake exhausted, feeling like it is again time for bed:

It may take a few days of total rest, to recover from any over-doings. Fatigue is one of the most common, earliest, and troubling Multiple Sclerosis symptom.
Amen to that.

I agree Sally...It's gotten to the point that I just cannot go. It has gone from to fatigue to simply an impossibility. I don't even have the option anymore to over-do (like I did for years) because I am already 'over-done' before I start.

I am thankful at least that my kids are all grown...and those of you who are still raising your children, you are most earnestly in my prayers.