I'm 70 years old with PPMS (diagnosed Oct 2022). I had a heart attack three weeks ago, two stents via heart cath. I'm trying to get exercise to help recovery but MS fatigue making it hard. Even my MS exercise routine is hard to complete now. My Cardiologist says I have a chance at recovering heart function and exercise is important. I start cardio physical therapy March 4.
Any experience with balancing MS fatigue with need to exercise more would be appreciated.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your recent heart attack. You have a lot going on! All I can say is to start slow, listen to your drs advice and try to push through and make exercise a priority (especially since your dr wants you to). Even if I’m fatigued, I usually have more energy after I exercise. I’m sure physical therapy will help too! There are lots of chair exercises you can find online. My neuro says even just walking is a great exercise.
Thank-you, good advice
Before MS, I used to work out in the evening but now mornings are best as I have more energy.
Good luck 
I was thinking the same thing, exercise at the time of day you have the most energy 😁
Oh my, you have a lot going on. Definitely start slow. Don't expect to get back to your routine after all your body has been through. Figure out what time of day you might have a bit more strength to do a few exercises. I have to do my stretches in the evening when my body is up to it. And small goals can be helpful too. Some days, I just tell myself that I can stop after ten minutes of stretching. If I feel that ten minutes is all I can muster, then I have still met my goal. If after ten minutes I feel like I can go another five or ten minutes, I keep going. I find it very helpful mentally to set small goals that are easy to complete. And even when I don't want to move off the couch, I always feel better after I have moved around. Little by little you will get back to your routine, but it will take time. Be patient. You'll get there.
You could try breaking your exercise into a few shorter sessions throughout the day, so that you can rest in between. I love the enthusiasm, but please go slow and build up to more exercise gradually. Best of luck! 😊🙏
You're a trooper.
Being much younger, I still find it hard to do the amount of exercise I need to do after hip replacement and to keep somewhat fit.
I would try activities where you don't have to carry your body such as in-house biking. It will work your heart fitness withou getting too much MS fatigue from having to carry your body.
Sending you good vibes.
good idea, thanks
maybe get a workout partner that you can encourage and that can encourage you
Hello my friend. Thankful you’re on the road to recovery following your heart attack. I know this new journey can be scary as I also have MS and Afib. My heart was weakened due to Kidney stones that caused me to have Sepsis. The struggle is real with the exercise. I do low impact cardio and walk on a treadmill maybe (2) times per week. But pace yourself, stay hydrated and if you don’t feel up to it, don’t push yourself. There’s a YouTube workout that I love: “Teambody Build Project. It’s very comfortable and can modify the routines with just marching in place. Best of health to you and continue to feel better 🙏. NeeC
I’m certain you know this but rest breaks, and something is always better than nothing. “If you can’t do it all, do it small.” Sending you well wishes. 🤗
Thanks to everyone for great advice. I had hopes that other MS sufferers would have good advice and you all exceeded expectations.
I'm so sorry to hear about your heart attack. You've been through A LOT in the last few weeks. Maybe you still haven't recovered enough energy to start doing much exercise? I have a small/minor example - I had a flu-like illness back in December. After the illness subsided in about 4 days, I was left with absolutely NO energy. It took 3 weeks to start feeling like I had some energy to really do meaningful exercise. I don't mean to compare a flu to having a heart attack, but I'm sharing to illustrate that health events might wipe us out more than people without MS. I wish you the best with your recovery.
I suffer from the awful fatigue as well. I go hiking. But sometimes need to take lots of "photo opportunities" a.k.a. rest breaks. There are also a lot of chair exercises that you can find on YouTube you could do to get you started. Though you might want to do some of those very carefully until you've healed more from heart surgery.
Sorry to hear all the things that are going on. I had 6 heart attacks in 8 days and they placed 1 stint. This is the best l felt in years. It's cut down my fatigue by at least by 25 %.Can you get into PT any sooner? I would call them and let them know you require Vestibular based therapy and may be they can set up home care.
Keep fighting.
I'm on the waiting list. I'm told I have a chance to recover most heart function so I'm hopeful of experiencing more energy than I had before the heart attack. I'm doing everything the drs tell me to do and am lucky to have a wife that is a great caregiver.
Your post is very encouraging, thanks. I know everyone is different but appreciate your thoughts.
Actually I am astounded by the thoughtful and helpful comments I've gotten from everyone. They give me inspiration to to keep slugging away.
I found this online. Maybe you will find it useful. multiplesclerosis.net/wp-co...
ask your neurologist im sure he can help don't wait to see him you can call
My husband does not have MS, but after his heart attack and stent surgery he was very fatigued for quite a while. Of course having MS makes everything so much harder. Be patient with yourself. Your body has been through a lot. As someone else said setting small goals and increasing them as you get stronger. Best wishes.
You've received lots of good advice already, so I'll just add that I'm sorry for all you're going through. Please keep us posted about how you're doing.
I am sorry that you have had to deal with this along with MS, fatigue is tough to overcome without the heart problems, can’t imagine adding that to the mix. Do you know anywhere that has water aerobics or water exercises? The water helps with cooling and difficulty. If not, maybe somewhere that has a pool you can even just walk around the perimeter a number of times forward and backwards. Please keep us updated and sending hugs and prayers.
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