I seem to find that my extended family is not very understanding. They can't understand why I don't want to go and do all the things that I once did. I seem to be lazy and not wanting to participate in family activities. Then when I do try to do things and I get extremely short of breath, they tell me it is because I don't get enough exercise.

I've found that most ppl do not understand this disease....it's very hard to balance activity in a way not to cause problems....before my final dx, tried water exercise on drs orders....was not a problem at first, just exhausting..then, one day after the usual time, couldn't get out of the pool without help, then sat/fell down & just could not get up to get to the showers for over 25 minutes...boy, was I in tough shape then, shortness of breath is no fun & it's a constant problem for me...reminded me of sev'l episodes I've had in prev. yrs, when air travel caused the same problem, had to have help to get out of the seat & walk...this I think cuz I was so nervous, white knuckle disease, lol...wore me out....nowadays, since I now know the problem, I use wheelchair at airports & a scooter/bike when walking is an issue....

Southblues, I've 3 horses & haven't been able to ride, but sure would love to try getting back in that saddle....it's a goal for me now, even if it's just short jogs....gotta get that wieight off too, tho....what a dilemma this is....

Dottie

Use a mounting block to get on. I get my husband to saddle the horse. Once I get up, I'm ok, that is unless I fall off. It only happened once as a result of sudden weakness. Once we start going, it's not that hard. If you just ride along slowly it is not that much exercise. I don't think that I am up for jumping any more.

My horse and I grew old together...but when it got to the point where just grooming before tacking got me so exhausted I didn't have the energy to ride, I started the journey of trying to figure out just what was going on.

We retired and I spoiled her for 3 more years - until she was 28. What a wonderful 25 years we had together!

I hope I didn't come across as "anti-exercise" in my mini-rant the other day; if it makes you feel good, by all means do it!

I just don't want people to feel guilty if they find that they don't have the energy to exercise - I tell my family it's kind of like a phone battery or a laptop battery; the more you use those devices, the faster they run out of juice. You can't do "condition training" on a phone battery; when it's dead, it's dead. If you don't recharge it, you can't use your phone.

MG'ers are the same way - only "dead" might really and truly mean DEAD. No recharge, no do-over, nuthin. If our batteries run out, we're pushing up daisies.

And then they'll feel bad, huh?
*does best imitation of sulking 5-year-old*

P.S. Don't think of it as "lazy" - think of it as "conserving energy"....

I refuse to give up riding, even if just walking! Last week all I could do was brush her but it sure was nice to get out and see her and give her and her pal some apples.

It seems that there are several horse people here. Cool!