MS Owners Manual
 

Babies don't come with one either so I think we could put together a great list of tips & tricks for newbies and for one another.

Please post ONE TIP PER POST WITH THE GENERAL TOPIC IN THE TITLE BAR. Post as many tips as you'd like, just post often so I might actually be able to organize everything into categories at some point.

Please avoid lengthy explanations of why, just stick to the tip. Please do not converse about tips, the 'thank you' button will suffice here.

See post #2 for an example.

This could be a really cool resource if we all give it our best! :)

In the kitchen
 

An old-fashioned bottle opener will help you pop the seal on a new jar of jam, etc.

Handy items for dumb fingers
 

Keeping small hand tools such as needle-nose pliers and a seam ripper in strategic locations is a life saver for many applications.

A good sense of humor. You MUST be able to laugh at yourself.

"you wanted yours on the floor, yes?" is a fav in our house. If you take everything you do so seriously, its gonna be a long ride.

Memory Help / Reminders
 

Keep a pencil (or pen) and a small tablet or notebook in a few places within your house. When you think of something you need or want to accomplish make a simple note of it. You can refer back to your notes and stay on top of your daily tasks.

Example.....make iced tea; today is trash day; pay such-and-such bill on Tuesday; call in rx refills; buy cat food, etc.

Visual Assistance
 

Keep several pair of reading glasses in strategic places around the house....especially by the phone and in the kitchen.

On The Road Emergencies
 

Keep one complete change of clothing in a bag in your car (or trunk). This bag should include underwear, socks & shoes, clothing, wet wipes, 1 roll of toilet paper, 1 dry bath towel, trial size deodorant and a small garbage bag.

Place a white, dry erase board in a central location of the home like the kitchen. Put important events and appointments on it to help remember what is going on.

mobility
 

An option to traditional mobility aids (cane, walker) are Trekking Poles

exercise
 

They make training wheels for adult bikes. dont be afraid to use them if you need extra support for a bit. :hug:

Mobility
 

Get a Rollator with a built in seat for those times when you might have to unexpectedly stand for long periods of time.

Use a clothes pin to clip your grocery list to the shopping cart along with an evelope with all the coupons you will be using at the store. This way you won't have to carry these and won't misplace them somewhere on some shelf in the store.

Clothing
 

Have your jeans tailored so that the sides have velcro. Makes it easier to put them on when spasms are interfering.

grabbers
 

Keep one in the place you spend the most time. Also keep one in the car.

Pills
 

Keep them together in a dispenser labeled with the days of the week so you know if you've taken them or not.

Try to be consistent in where you put things (keys, scissors, tape etc.) to save time looking.

kitchen timer
 

Set the kitchen timer whenever there's something you need to get back to, or even an appointment you need to remember during the day.

So you don't forget
 

If there's something you KNOW you're likely to forget, place a trash can in an out-of-the-ordinary place (sink, chair) to alert your brain it needs to remember something.

MS Sucks
 

Go to this site often, to learn how to cope wiyh your MS in a realistic and humourous fashion. The Author prefers to remain annonomous, but most of us know him.:D

http://multiplesclerosissucks.com/index.html

Safety
 

Always take your phone with you, when leaving your safetyzone in or out of your home....and,

if you think you may fall, leave your frontdoor unlocked, in case you have to call 911. (lol, just ask me)

Don't hurry for anything or anyone. It'll keep.

pills
 

Have a supply of extra medicine in your purse/car so if you are away from home, and get spastic, you can fix it. If you are delayed in getting home, you dont have to worry.

Record Keeping
 

For the newly diagnosed, keep a separate day planner for your MS; use it to record any changes or symptoms. You neuro will appreciate it when you can say what happened, when, and how long it lasted.

Learn to shift gears . . .
 

Just like driving a car and listening to the engine, learn how to shift gears with your body by listening to it. Full throttle at 100 mph over X amount of time doesn't really work well when you have MS.

I take a wardrobe to work with me because chances are I'll end up too hot, cold or uncomfortable for whatever reason. I also keep different shoes that I can change into, and a heavier/lighter coat depending on the season. I also carry a pharmacy in my purse and keep it zipped in the break room. :rolleyes: :D

Make a list of all your meds & Supplements, Doctor's phone numbers, etc.
 

For your Doctor's:This can be invaluable to print out and give to all your different doctors.
For yourself: A file with each doctor's address and Suite #'s, phone numbers, fax numbers, doctor's nurse's phone number extensions, pharmacy's phone numbers ( local and mail order) and fax numbers.

Become well informed
 

Read all the information you can find regarding MS. Suggestions: From your doctors, the National MS Society, books, internet, participate in telephone/on-line information sessions. Ask questions! The more you know, the more confident you will feel.

Support
 

You're not alone! Investigate the many multiple sclerosis support forums on-line. Check out support groups in your town. Nothing like hearing from those who have been there and done that.

Build your support system -- family, friends, clergy, etc.

Be Adaptable
 

Learning to be adaptable is important. Things change from day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute, etc. Being able to adapt to these changes will help you in the long run. Also being able to look at a situation/task, such as climbing stairs, and figuring out how you can accomplish the task at hand. It will not only help with maintaining your independence but also your self confidence - that you can do this and can figure out a way to get things done. Adapt, adapt, adapt.

Explaining to others
 

Never waste your valuable time, energy or emotional peace trying to explain your MS to others. A common frustration is, "He/she just doesn't get it."

Like pregnancy, blindness, or amputation, one has to personally experience the condition to appreciate its very broad and ever-changing spectrum of impact on daily life.

Try to teach others that you do not expect them to understand your circumstances but that you do expect them to simply accept your needs and choices as they present themselves.

Teach acceptance, do not demand understanding.

In THE KITCHEN
 

An egg chopper is ideal for easily slicing bananas.

In The Kitchen
 

A mandolin slicer is a very handy, safe alternative to hand-slicing produce.

Dressing
 

The Pocket Dresser (available online) is wonderful tool to aid in buttoning, zipping and other clothing challenges.

Dining out
 

The chefs/cooks in every restaurant will gladly cut your meats and other dishes into bite-sized pieces for you in the kitchen. You have only to ask your server for this service.

Dining
 

The Maddox Knife (available online) is a wonderful table knife that is used in a vertical, rocking motion and is ideal for fumbling fingers.

Make Use of Electronic Devices
 

Use your cellphone or other electronic device to help keep track of things. It is compact and all in one. You can record notes to yourself, have an alarm, use the calendar, and have all phone numbers in one place.

Crock Pot
 

Dust off the crock pot and use it. It is a big time/energy saver. Put everything in it in the morning and dinner is done by the time you get home and/or are ready to have dinner.

Traveling - The Coffee Can
 

Keep an empty coffee can in the car for those "emergencies" when you are running around town or traveling.

Ice Packs
 

Keep some of the ice packs that you get from the drug companies. There a numerous ways you can use them. Use them in the car during the hot summer months. Use them as a cold compress for pain. Use them to keep your meds cold while traveling. Use them in a fishing vest when doing outside activities during warmer weather.

Caution: Don't use them on your hands/feet if you have a burning sensation.:eek:

For dumb fingers
 

Unsharpened pencils with clean erasers are perfect for pushing small buttons on a remote, phone, calculator, electronic oven, etc. Keep them everywhere!