This is just pathetic.
 

I've been trying to change the sheets on my bed for the past half hour.

I only just now got the top sheet on. I still have the blanket and the comforter and then the pillows to do.

For some reason I couldnt figure out how the fitted sheet fitted.

Finally got that. Had to sit on the bed for about 10 minutes to recharge.

Got the sheet out, and couldnt figure out how to tuck them in under the mattress. Figured that out. Sat on the bed.

Got the rest of the sheet straightened out...and am now sitting on the bed resting.

I think I'll be sleeping on the bed, not going to unmake the bed just to sleep in it after I've spent so much time getting it made with clean sheets and clean blankies.

It's just pathetic that I cant make my own darn bed without having to rest on it every 10 minutes for another 10.

I'm soooooo tired now, and I'm only half done!! (and the Hug is coming on now...ow!)

Would it help to make the bed of a morning. Seems like the hug always hits me worse at night, so I've been trying not to do anything to aggrevate it.

A lot of help that is now, huh???:wink:

I'm so sorry for your pain. Hope the hug will ease up for you. Wish I new the magic trick for that. But I'll send up a little prayer. That can't hurt.:hug:

Hi Erin -- I'm sorry you are feeling tired and the monster hug is coming. Even though it was a pain to make the bed you should definitely sleep in it-- don't you love the feel of clean fresh sheets? I do. If I had the energy to change the sheets, let alone wash them and buy enough, I would love to do it everyday. That's why I like hotels -- the clean crisp sheets. Tuck yourself in and enjoy your hard work.
:Zzzz:

ok...that only took me an hour!
 

I can barely move now.

Freaks me out that doing something like making a bed can tire me out like that. I mean, I can walk all over town all day as long as I get breaks and can rest a bit.

But, making my bed (straightening out the foam mattress pad, doing the fitted sheet, flat sheet, two comforters and four pillows) can make me feel like I just ran a marathon.

Maybe it's because I have to lift the mattress and flip sheets to straighten them out, and all the bending over to tuck the sheets under the matress. When I'm walking, I dont have to do all that.

But, it's just so pathetic that I cant even make a bed without collapsing from exhaustion.

Of course, it is 1am here now, so I probably should have started the bed making this afternoon, or this morning. I'm sure the sore shoulder and neck that have been bugging me for a few weeks might have had something to do with it too.

I'm so tired now. I think I'll lay down and watch something on my Tivo.

Perhaps you just figured out how to deal with your insomnia, Erin . . . just wear yourself out by putting clean sheets on every night? :p

Seriously though, if I was not currently in an attack, I'd be questioning why I was having these kind of problems, especially with stamina. I have days where things are 10 times more difficult (fingers don't work, dropping things, can't think clearly, etc.), but pretty much the only time I really struggle physically is when I am in an attack.

It is very important to have a daily exercise routine, to maintain strength and energy with this disease. Your weight isn't nearly as relevant as staying in shape . . . which I have especially noticed to be true with "The Biggest Loser" contestants ...

Some of those people start out at 400 lbs, but by the time they reach 250 lbs, they can JOG up mountains. :eek: They are competing against people who start out at 250 lbs, but don't actually do much better (then the now 250 lb'ers), even though they are down 170 lbs. It is about staying in shape, no matter what your weight.

Everything is harder with this disease (clumsiness, thinking obstacles, etc.), so that requires that we keep fit physically. I don't try to tackle my biggest physical challenges at night time . . . but push myself in this way during the mornings when I have the most energy.

Even if you start out slow, with just a stretching routine, I think it would serve you well to plan to stay as physically fit as possible (even if your brain isn't as "fit" as it once was). You are too young to be having this kind of struggle already. :(

Cherie

I hear you, Erin, such a simple, mundane thing is not supposed to be an Olympic event.:mad: A few years ago, I actually ditched the queen for a twin because I just can't run the laps anymore.

I agree with the others that doing it in parts might be the best approach until you're feeling a little better. Hang in there, girl.:):hug:

Say....do we really need sheets anyways? How about sleeping in a sleeping bag? Remember when we kids? We would of thought that that would of been fun!:D

Or...

We could just pretend we're camping.....sleep in whatever we're planning to wear the following day. That way - no bed to make and when you get up you're already dressed!

Now, if I could just figure out how to brush my teeth in bed without making too much of a mess I'd have it all figured out!! :D

I think you're right. I need to exercise more.

since walking isnt a huge problem for me, maybe I'll go kidnap my aunt and make her go for a walk with me. We used to walk all the time with our dogs. (my bouvier, her pug...we got lots of strange looks)

My dog died 2yrs ago in March...her pug died about a month ago, on the same date that my dog died. (weird!)

This summer when it gets so hot out that I cant go outside for long, I'll probably end up going to the mall and walking there. (I'll have to take a bullet proof vest and a battle helmet, it's the same mall that got shot up in December)

I can't walk far at all either, Erin. With your back problems, on top of everything else, I can imagine that many types of exercise might be quite difficult to do too. :(

I haven't been able to do much in the last several months, and have packed on 10 lbs. Between the extra weight, and not felling good, I am struggling much more to do anything then I did before I had this attack.

Last time this happened, I started with some back exercises my doc gave me. Once I got good at those (took about a month), I moved onto a lot more stretching and toning . . . but I have never been able to do any amount of walking, running, aerobics, or anything that takes a great deal of balance.

What I could do though, was enough to keep my muscles strong, spasticity limber (somewhat), and give me a little endurance for the easier jobs around home. I plan to start back up in the middle of May, when I expect this relapse has run it's course as much as it plans to.

Let's do it together?

Cherie

I'm going to do some walking today. It's nice and breezy outside, and it's cool (about 65). I'm going to make my dad do some of the walking with me.

He's got a heart problem and needs to exercise to keep his weight down (he's lost 50 pounds since January! some of it was water weight) He's been working out almost everday since he got diagnosed with the heart problem. He looks pretty good now.


My dad did hurt his back about a week ago, and needs to add some new non-back-injuring exercises. I think walking around the block at least once a day would be a nice easy exercise for both of us.

:hug: Sorry for your fatigue. Hope you are feeling better now!!

I used to be a runner when I was younger and stayed in better shape. But those days are over. I can't even use a treadmill now. But what I have gotten that works well for me is one of Tony LIttle's Gazelles. I have a bad back and so this has little or no impact. Plus I can hold on to it so I won't get off balance. It has been worth the money. It was only around $100 at WalMart when I got it a few years ago. Dont know about now. But it at least help with the aerobics. When I am having an attack I can't use it, but most of the other times I can. Just a thought for anyone wanting an aerobics exercise. :hug:

I'm glad that I'm going to the neuro next week. Tonight, I noticed while I was crocheting, when I was wrapping some yarn around my right hand so that I'd have an even tension on what I'm making, that my hand got really tired and felt like my legs used to when I would speed-rollerskate for a half hour straight. (gosh, I miss that...altho, I could do without the intentional crashes and slides into walls. Yes. I was a weird child)

I hope that this doesnt mean that this MS crap is going to f-up my hands. I would probably accept something like paralysis in my legs, but my hands. No. Never. Ever. Ever. I'm a crocheter who sometimes knits, I need my hands.

I just took a small amount of Baclofen (something I hate doing) and I'm going to see if that helps the minor Hug that's starting in my left ribs and the weird little ache that's in my index finger on the right hand.

I can put up with a lot with this MS crap, but if it interferes with me crocheting or occasionally knitting, I'm going to be seriously ticked.

What is that, friend? I just looked up that name and see there is something called a "sprintmaster" . . . is that what you are talking about?

I like rowing machines, because the muscle required to operate it is upper body, and my legs get stretched/exercised without having to use any energy what-so-ever.

The other piece of equipment that I really like is this, because it works the abs, upper body and arms:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...ess_44/abs.jpg

Erin, here's the fairly simple "back" exercises that I started with:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../Exercises.jpg

If you right click on that image, you can "save" it on your computer, then print it out.

Swimming is great exercise too, but I hate the cold water. :mad:

Cherie

Cherie,
 

Cherie,
I was looking for your back exercises you suggested from the posture thread and found your question about the Gazelle. I got my at WalMart.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=1542671

Looks like the price has raised, OF COURSE, since I got mine. I can just use this, as opposed to a treadmill, because it is low impact on my back. I dont go nearly as 'high' as Tony does. I just take little 'slides'. He looks like he could actually 'take off'. :DI had seen it on TV quite a while back on one of those info-mercials. It helps to 'gently' work my lower back that I have trouble with. I need to try to use it more.

Sorry this took awhile. :o I do not know how to go back and check on threads I have wrote in. So I just stumble back onto them usually.:wink:

When I did inbound telemarketing, I took orders for a bunch of those Gazelle thingies, and also got to see what's-his-name who did the infomercial for it. Didnt actually meet him, but saw him in the hallway and on the production floor when he was getting a tour of our building one day.


I think I might take my dad up on the use of his gym membership ($5 to use the gym if I go with him to work out) and see if I can sit on the recumbent bike and pedal for a little bit tomorrow. My boyfriend just warned me that he's got to stand me up for our date tomorrow, so I might as well go do something useful with myself tomorrow night. I think they have some of the Gazelles at the place my dad works out at. I might get on that and see if I can use it without injurying myself.

My foot isnt as numb as it was last month, and I'm kind of interested to see if exercise will actually make it feel worse temporarily. I'm thinking of applying for a job next week (part time!) so that I can finance my serious addiction to yarn and crochet patterns.

I'm wondering tho if I should do a little working out for awhile before getting a job and try to get in a bit better shape so that I wont be passed out on the floor in exhaustion 20 minutes after getting to work at whatever job I get.