paying the price
 

I washed the dog 2 days ago and I am still paying the price with complete exhaustion. I am walking slower than ever which I did not think was possible. I walk so slow that people give me strange looks because I have no visible deformaity. Even the nurses in the doctor's office when they try to show me to the exam room, are annoyed or perplexed. I think I need a walker. But I am self-conscious about it. Especially since I would need it some day and not others. How do you get over this?

I seem to be getting weaker. I need to use 2 hands to pick up a gallon of milk. It is quite a strain. My left hand although it moves is useless. If I use it it knocks over or drops everything, it has no strength at all. It is even difficult to use it to type. And it hurts.

What alarms me most is my cognitive functions seems to be affected. I can't remember things, I am in a fog. I cannot recall the proper word to use, what I was about to do, etc. I do not understand this symptom. I had brain fog early on in my course of this disease, but I attributed to having to re-learn a new way of doing every thing. Why now?

Any suggestions?
Thanks
kathie

Call your neuro. There are likely some measures that can be taken to improve your situation. The "fog" feeling means you are using all of your energy to meet your physical needs and you have nothing left for the mental stuff.

A walker may be useful, but if you are having arm/hand issues, those will possibly get weaker using a walker. You may want to explore medication options before simply using adaptive devices.

Hope this helps a little.

You definitely need some rest. When I get really bad I do notice slower movements and I do get the cognitive issues. I'm finally learning at what point to stop. If I wake up and my back feels weak then I slow down and do nothing at all.

I know it's somewhat normal to walk into a room and forget why you even entered the room, but when I start doing something and I'm constantly stopping in mid process to figure out the next thing to do, then I know there's something wrong. I strain my brain sometimes trying to think of the next step and if I wait a minute or two the next step will come to me. I notice this most when cooking a meal. I think it's mostly sequential things that I have a problem with and it's not every day, but it does happen on those days when my movement is slow. I was beginning to think I have Alzheimers or Dementia, but my daughter who is an RN and works in a nursing home said that this isn't like any of those. It seems like my thinking isn't as sharp as it used to be either. I'm trying to write a science fiction novel and I keep forgetting names and details. I have to make up calenders and write in events to keep things straight and I have to keep referring to a list of character so I don't use the wrong names. At least I've got an outline now to keep me on track. I hope your cognitive problems aren't this bad. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Kathie, I am sorry that you are having such a hard time. You need to rest and rest some more. I have a hard time for days after extra exertion. I hope you feel better.

Oh Kathie......:hug:

I agree with 4-eyes, Quandry and Celeste. Rest and neuro visit should be on top of your list. Sounds like you already did too much without knowing it before the dog got that wash! When you have to walk/do things slowly where others, like the nurses unwittingly pressurize you, YOU have to look after YOU. Setting your own parameters letting people know in advance that your walking may take that little extra time before you even get going. It is easier for people to slow down to your level than for you to speed up to theirs - especially at this time. Your muscles simply cannot hurry up and also have a fluctuating performance level. Have clear expectations of other people understanding your limitations even if they may not always be able to understand them anyway.

Sounds like you have done an excellent job of adapting to your triggers but I do hope you can figure something out with your neuro so life becomes easier for u again soon :)

I PM'd you last night - I hope your neuro appointment goes well today!

Being so tired...
 

Quandry, your description of life sounds so much like my own! I don't have MG, that i know of, but so many other issues, sometimes they just gang up on me, and down i go! Most of the past week I have just been laying in bed like a zombie, and I believe it was mostly stress, long term stressors that had caught up with me. I truly do believe in Rest and try not to beat myself up for needing it. I hope you can find a way to cope with those feelings.

Best Wishes
StormE1

I'm really a laid back type of person and I avoid stress. I don't think my cognitive issues are because of stress, but because of MG. Don't get me wrong stress makes things worse, but I try to avoid stress as much as possible. Recently, I was determined eligible for social security, so that is one less stress factor in my life. I believe that not every thing is caused by emotions, but there can be some things beyond our control physically that can cause us stress. Have you gone to a doctor to exclude any physical problems? I hope you find a solution to your fatigue.