Figuring out life with MS

[KBad60]

I'm new here. Had rrms for years ( 30+) diagnosed in 2010. Now I have progressed to ppms (Neuro thinks..but we all know MS is uncertain) in a motorized wheelchair and have a hard time transferring from bed to chair, chair to recliner. Yay me! Looking for an idea on what I should be doing any ideas?!

[greaterexp]

Welcome! I can’t offer suggestions, but I’m sure you’ll get some helpful responses.

[KBad60 in reply to greaterexp]

thanks

[greaterexp]

Do you have family and/or caregivers to help you? Physical therapy to give you ideas on making transferring easier?

[KBad60 in reply to greaterexp]

good morning..and afternoon lol My daughter lives very close and she does get my groceries for me and helps me out as much as she can since she has a fulltime overtime type job but thankfully her dad owns it so she can show up easier than with most jobs. Bad thing she can't exactly get me up and out of the floor (I start PT on the 18th that will be a qs or qs's I will ask about. )

[jimeka]

Hi, try and keep your upper strength, so you can lift yourself easier. You can do strength training exercises in your chair. Let us know how you get on at PT. blessings Jimeka 🦋

[KBad60 in reply to jimeka]

thanks! I need to work on that! One day seems like hey I can do that, within the next few days my arms were not so lifty! Definetly going to start exercising my upper body

Kathy

[erash]

Welcome to our friendly family. PT is a terrific idea. I hope it helps. 🌈

[KBad60 in reply to erash]

I keep hoping I will follow through and make me stick to a schedule.

Kathy

[goatgal]

Rex09 Welcome to the forum. This is a friendly supportive family of MSers scattered far and wide, but here we are as close as neighbors. Like everyone else here, I have MS. I have not been wheelchair bound until last month when I broke my ankle. I've had a whole new skill set to acquire: how to get from bed to wheelchair to commode? PT here where I am receiving rehab until I can use the broken part again has suggested something called a transfer board. It's a flat piece of wood, about 20" long that is used to bridge gaps between one object and another. The user slides, bottom down, from one place to the other. If you don't use one, ask about it in PT. You may find it helpful. PT with a knowledgeable practioner can accomplish amazing things for we the wobbly. I hope you find yours helpful!

[Juliew19673]

Welcome aboard Rex! Yes - PT might find a workable solution for you - good luck!!

[KBad60 in reply to Juliew19673]

Thanks I feel bad for using my dogs name ! I am anxious to find that "workable"

Kathy

[callyo60]

im going to try the autophagy from that article i just read check it out,how did you know when your MSchanged, cause i think mine is

[KBad60 in reply to callyo60]

A fb friend uses this, she was overweight and MS she can now run ( uggg can't remember what that is called) but she feels really good fasting and juicing

Kathy

[RobertCalifornia]

They do have equipment to help with transfers. I recently met a man whose mother had polio. He offer to sell me all her motorized lift equipment at a good price. His mother lived alone in a house and took care of herself. I don't need it yet thank God, but I will remember that there is equipment out there to help.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to RobertCalifornia]

I recently received the gift of a recliner that will lift me to a standing position. I don't need it yet, but it's a fabulous gift.

[KBad60]

This is good for me to know! I am planning on building a house then all this bad weakness crept up on me. So I was thinking about the motorized lift. Personally this apartment is too small for a homeowner

Kathy

[CraigS]

Rex,

I’m a part time electric wheelchair rider. I can still wobble around with a cane for short distances. I’m not quite certain what you’re asking. Do everything you can and try to do more. This disease sucks your soul out from under you if you give in.

Good luck, we all need it!

[txcg152]

I’m not sure if this will help any but a couple of years ago when I was going through a relapse 😡 I was talking with my family & they brought me a wooden board that I was able to put it from bed to my wheelchair when I got up in the morning & it was great!

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

KBad60 Welcome to our growing group. As Jimeka says, keeping up the upper body strength is primary. Before MS, I had a couple of back surgeries and a knee replacement. I still worked out then and made sure I worked on biceps, triceps and shoulders. I don't know how you would strengthen your core. Start with 2-3 lb weights curling the weights upward, then forcing them downward. Maybe just 5-10 reps to start, or less. Hope that helps, maybe start with less weight and work up. You can add to arm, upper body strength by just flattening your hands together in front of you, then pressing them together hard, then releasing. Let us know if that helps. Keep on coming back to read along, comment and answer questions. BTW, My MS neuro thinks I may have progressed from not sure of a stage to Secondary Progressive as I've never had even the slightest relief of my symptoms since the first day and a gradually worsening of focus, thought processes, balance, etc.