Happy Mothers Day All.
I decided that I wanted to do some gardening (more like weeding) today. Spent maybe half hour including some racking. I was exhausted. Took a nap and when I woke, my hands are killing me. The muscles hurt sooooo much. This happen to anyone else?
Karen-x , I'm sorry you are having the pain from gardening. It's seems that it's really easy for us to overdo by simply doing what we've always done without giving it a thought before MS. I still haven't figured out the "right" amount of activity.
Feel better soon.
Thanks! It just seems more and more that our house is just not working for me anymore....so many things that we just can't keep up with or they just don't work. As simple as the dogs, we don't have a fence so the two dogs have to go out on a lead. My brain can't process many times that I need to make sure one doesn't get out as I out the other on the lead. I accidently let at least one out 3x week. And if i go out w them, their leads tangle me up and trip me. So, we really need a fence. And that is just one thing.
Karen-x , I sure feel for you. That's one reason we are selling our farm. Even if we got rid of all the livestock and never put anything in the vegetable gardens, it's so hard to keep up with the 5 acres. I have no idea how much or how soon the MS could reduce my activity levels, so it makes sense for us to "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." I know that even putting in a fence can be a big deal. I wish we didn't have to adapt to what is and what might be, but I tend to be pragmatic.
I pray you find solutions that help you feel more free, rather than weary or restricted.
Thanks for the wake up call...i just paid off 10acres, was going to buy 30 more to start a small orchard here in California. I figured I could hire people to harvest the trees. Never really thought that the simple chores could become too much. I am alone, now all off you have me thinking what could happen...What if my MS gets worse, I'm 49.... Usually feel more like I'm 29, that is until I go on a crazy long walk with my dogs. I'm talking 10-20+ miles.... Then I start getting to a point where I almost black out. I passed out once a few weeks ago and woke up laying in the dirt with my dogs laying by me...it was hours later and around 10pm I was still 5 miles out in the desert, luckily my 2 dogs didn't leave me alone. Then again Nora ( Great Dane mix is 3 and blind, my 7 month old (boxer, Pit Bull mix) is a 68 pound energy bundle.
Gman25n , I would never want to discourage someone from living out their dreams. For me, knowing how little I could do during a relapse and how unpredictable my symptoms are from hour to hour, I knew I couldn't realistically keep up with cleaning a big house and dealing with the canning and freezing of all the fruit we produce on 5 acres, let alone do something like hay or cattle on the other 15 acres. I'd have neither the money nor the energy to hire and manage people to help with the work. My husband works a full time job, which supports our dangerous farming habit! If he has to care for me or take up the slack, it would overwhelm him.
Your situation could be completely different from mine, but your passing out is very troubling. I hope that if that happens again, you will see your doctor immediately.
Take good care of yourself.
Hi Karen, I echo what Erin has said, and know exactly how you feel. I have got to the point where I look at my calendar and see if we have any plans before I even attempt going in the garden. I cut the lawns last weekend, we have a ride on lawn mower but it took me 3 days to recover from just been sat on the lawn mower, there was no real physical exertion, just steering. I get really upset as I loved gardening, no weed was safe in my garden, now I have been subjected to a don't care less attitude, as for walking or exercising Razor, he now has osteoarthritis so he is not allowed to run with the bike, so even that enjoyment as come to an end. MS has a lot to answer to, and sorry in answer to your question, muscle fatigue happens upon any small job. We are farmers and I can no longer drive the tractor, MS ages you before you are ready for it. Blessings Jimeka, somehow we always manage a smile 😀
Hi Karen, I can certainly relate ! I spent a lovely afternoon weeding, shifting heavy plantpots, scrubbing rabbit pen flags and moving rabbit run with my partner - so pleased with my productive time : ) I literally felt like I had been run over and had pulled every muscle/tendon in my left side and back the next day ! Back muscle even hurt to breathe ! Took 3 days for the pain to subside/power to come back. So whilst I clearly CAN still do some heavier work, I need to be aware that the payback is going to be harsh ! Sometimes this stuff just has to be done - no fairies in my garden to do it for me : )) I think I need a sensible overseer to knock me out with my own shovel to make me pace ! ! !
I hope you are able to get a fence sorted - anything that makes life easier/less stressful is a winner with me : ) Much more convenient for toiletting poochies, you can have them out with you when you are in the garden, maybe play ball games etc. As much as all poochies seem to love walkies, we are simply not always up to the task : ) I am really lucky that I have 3 fields directly at the back of me and a huge park 10 mins walk away. I also have an old girl who is good as gold offlead, so only need her onlead briefly to get from A to B. We are both still 'naughty' and often end up overdoing 'walkies' in the nice weather - then spend half the next day flopped out on the bed together lol ! x
How are you doing today Karen-x ? As I read this this morning, I wonder if it's just not, just muscles.? It's been a long winter and we are stretching and moving in directions that we didn't over the winter. Idk😁
The real question is, Did you enjoy yourself?
J 🌠
How are you doing today Karen-x ? As I read this this morning, I wonder if it's just not, just muscles.? It's been a long winter and we are stretching and moving in directions that we didn't over the winter. Idk😁
The real question is, Did you enjoy yourself?
J 🌠
Yes! When I weed my hands almost always hurt the next couple of days. The first day that I get out and work in the yard/garden my gluteus maximus, also known as my butt cheeks, hurt like heck. Every year I forget and wonder why the heck my butt is hurting, then I remember. I get down on my knees a lot instead of bending and causing my back to hurt.
Karen-x Watch out for those days that are so perfect that a gardener or anyone who likes the outdoors just can't stay inside! I think every gardener with MS has had your experience; I certainly have. I go out to pull a few weeds, and the next thing I know it is two hours later, way past the time I should have stopped. I suppose the answer is to pace ourselves, do only a little bit at a time, which would be a perfect solution if the weather would cooperate. We've had a spate of lovely days, so I have pushed myself because I know the heat is coming and I won't be able to be out as much. For achey hands and feet, I try a warm epsom salts soak in a basin. It seems to help stiff and sore muscles. Happy belated Mother's Day to you as well. I hope your pain has eased by now.
FATIGUE
Fatigue
Fatigue
Weather, pain, fatigue...
Muscle Spasms
