Does your body feel like its slowing down?

[pennypoop]

Does anyone with ataxia have episodes where you feel your breathing and circulation slowing down? Some what like a sort of physical depression, only isolated to the chest.

[wobblybee]

Hi Pennypoop,

I definitely go through weeks at a time when feel more lethargic and have a brain fog.

In fact I'm just coming out of one of these periods. After more than a week of slouching

and sluggishness, suddenly today I've just had 20mins on my treadmill. During these

'iffy' times I'm not on the ball, concentration next to nil, finger control on laptop pathetic.

I feel the cold, or I'm too hot. Constantly at the loo (bladder). Aches and pains. Then

it's like the sun coming out from behind a cloud, it all seems to 'lift'.

[jonbon]

Hi Pennypoop,

I have episodes most days when my body seems to lose all function, I call them 'Duracell bunny' moments. I don't experience slow breathing but everything else slows. I can hardly move, head buzzes, get irritable and stroppy with everyone, can't concentrate, all my symptoms of vertigo, dizziness and clumsiness get much worse, just feel a wreck and all I want is to go somewhere quiet and close my eyes, block everything out. I have found that if I nap for 30mins, no more or I just feel sluggish,I feel much better and can carry on for a few hours until the next episode. It was all very scary at first but I am gradually coming to accept that the best thing to do is to pace myself and rest often. I take every supplement there is to try and combat fatigue and the sensation of losing all function, but rest and sleep seems to be the best answer. I hope this helps a little, all the associated symptoms are very scary.

[pennypoop in reply to jonbon]

I get them most days, but thankfully they onsly usually last a few minutes and I rally round with a sugar fix! When these episodes last days I find 'Metatone' always seems to bring me bacck.

[Katilea]

I find the weather affects mine.. Yesterday was dull and grey here and wet lots of rain. My fingers were swollen, my back and legs were very stiff felt very grumpy and lethargic. I usuallly use choc or carbs to get me through the day as have a puppy to keep up with!

This morning the sun is nice and bright and despite the fact I'm sneezing (it's still cold) I feel much better mood wise. I think the sun does help motivate me cos I feel like more like I want to get up and out and get on with things..

Sometimes if its been several days bad weather or PMS then I get a good day it's like I've woke up properly and look round house and think 'what happened!' looks like a bomb hit it. Then I realise I haven't actually done much for days as what little energy I had has gone on taking the dogs out, feeding them, playing or training and everything else gets put on hold till I can find more energy to cope with doing more than one thing at once!

[pennypoop in reply to Katilea]

They do sttop you in your tracks, but a sugar fix usually gets me throu

[Fifa Volunteer]

Hello Pennypoop

I also get the problem but have no choice but to get on with whatever I am doing. Time is the only thing that works but as to how long is anyone's guess. I get so cross with it.

Take care

Fifa

[pennypoop in reply to Fifa]

Yes I usually rally round in time, usually a sugar fix does the trick if Im lucky. Had tests for cardi everything but nothing shows up.

[wobblybee]

So many symptoms of this condition are frustrating, I often feel that if only my head

would clear, I could cope with the rest logically. I feel partially influenced by the

weather as well, noticeably during the time of year when the clocks go back and

forward. Short days, mostly alone, are not conducive to good mental health!

Chocolate, where would I be without it! My cat is very 'needy', so I can't loll for

too long!

[pennypoop]

I have 2 cats, their my girls and I wouldn't be without them. Yes long bright days make all the differnce.I work at college 3 dayas and ttry to get out on my scooter as much as I can. Fresh air and independece is a real tonic!!

[february]

I think it's the nature of ataxia and muscles having to work so hard to do anything! It wears me out...,ha! Sometimes, my heart and breathing become more labored because I fight against this ataxia to move about and do things like making the bed, laundry, preparing a meal, everyday stuff etc., etc., etc. I rest frequently, as this helps my activity level. Also, I find exercise for strength and balance gives me more energy. I won't give up or give in to this, but am realistic! ;o)

[pennypoop in reply to february]

Yes gotta keep fighting, but sometimes it may be bodies way of forcing ius to slow down

[scruffycat in reply to pennypoop]

I agree with you totally. People think it's clever to do things quickly, no matter whether they're right or wrong.

[silkwood]

I am definitely slowing down but I think this is a good thing.I was always in a rush before.

Now I think what's the rush.Not easy to adjust when you have been used to deadlines.

I am trying to adjust at the moment;it is hard.

[neta]

Everything is slower. I come back from "walks" exhausted and perspired. Resting in between

major activities, is quite helpful. N

[pennypoop in reply to neta]

Sugar fixs and regular coffee breaks often help, but its mostly only time before I rally rouund

[wibblywobbly]

I'm so surprised by how many people take sugar fixes in these answers. I try to eat mainly natural sugars in dried and fresh fruit as I find processed sugar in sweets and chocolate give me a quick fix but leave me feeling worse for days.

I go slowly and am often very frustrated by how little I can do - i look at all that needs to be done and when i try very hard to not cry - often I do.

I try not to demand too much from myself and when I really bad - brain fog, vertigo co-ordination terrible I rest.

I sleep every day - obviously there are exceptions - usually in bed for 2 hours with ear plugs, not asleep whole time but complete rest. I find I can cope better physically and mentally with this rest;

My priorities have changed. Now they are times with my husband and family, excercise for me, and good times to enjoy however small they are, I try to think of all the other things housework etc as not so important - not always easy but am trying very hard to change my mindset

I usually have a few hours in the morning when i'm not too tired, but i tire so quickly.

Sometimes I have a week or so when i'm really not good so I do very little

[pennypoop in reply to wibblywobbly]

Usually a sugar fix works but don't last long, maybe should eat more fruit, but not as satisfying as choc! If Im low for days, I take 'metatone tonic' which rallys me round.

[wobblybee]

I'm trying to cut down on coffee! I use an espresso machine and have become a bit of a

coffee snob. I bought some gluten free flour and was determined to do something with it,

so I just made brownies using Agave Syrup instead of sugar, also added walnuts. I let

it cool slightly before I dived in, not bad, very light sponge, not squidgy unfortunately!

[pennypoop in reply to wobblybee]

I don't think I could do without my coffee, got 2 tassimo machines 1 in kitchen and in lounge, as I used to have alot of spills transferring the coffee cup trying to push the tray whilst shuiffling on my bum across the floor!

[ConfusedAtaxian in reply to pennypoop]

Get a ‘spillnot’cup holder. Brilliant!

[wobblybee]

I've tried all sorts of coffee makers over the years. The most bizarre being a sort of globe with

a glass stopper, above a jug. I can't remember what it's actually called, someone on here is

bound to know, I don't think I could cope with it now!

[scruffycat]

It would be easy to blame it on depresion but it's a state of mind. Fortunately , my wife understands me better than I do. She makes me really angry sometimes but, I'm still here.