Tasks at home

[bula3434]

I have written a post already, but I've feltforalong while now household tasks really take alot of energy, out of me , I just run out of steam I thought I was imagining it does any one else find this happens to them. I have pmr.

[Maisie1958]

Oh yes, definitely. I’m 5+ years post diagnosis and have had a comparatively easy time but fatigue has been the most difficult thing for me. I’ve been able to be pretty selfish (not everyone has that luxury) and prioritised what I wanted to do. If I wanted to meet friends or ride the pony then I certainly couldn’t have a spotless house. It’s not your imagination- so many times I’ve felt so exhausted I could have cried -probably did. It does get better though . All good wishes x

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Keep the kitchen and the bathroom clean, then name the dust bunnies. Get help with the laundry and the sheets/towels (by help I mean someone else does it under your direction).

If you have the energy and desire to tackle other tasks, make sure you can break them down into steps, and abandon them at will. For instance, mop a section of the floor, then quit. Continue later, or on another day.

PS: If you can manage it, get a Roomba. They do a great job on rugs/floors.

[Horsewhisper in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Good advice - I pretty much go along with this - I have so many dust bunnies I have run out of names for them! 🤣

[SheffieldJane]

Yes I have to pace washing, floor cleaning, dusting, bathroom cleaning. My o,h. Is keen to help out now.

[yorkieme]

I have always done the housework amongst such as part cooking,house maintenance,dog walking,sometimes ironing etc, but tend to suffer with O.C.D. in whatever I do. Add to that pretty active walker,gym and D.I.Y. fanatic ............................. then PMR struck.

The shock has been beyond description,the early months since November last year I spent fighting the lack of energy and almost drove myself to a breakdown because I just couldn't accept that I couldn't do it,you know the story just as I do so I need not bore you any further. My wife and others have been pushing me for quite some time to get a cleaner so I agreed on a two week trial,(the cleaner does three hours a week,) and I have to say it has shown me up for the fool that I can be. It has proven to be the best decision ever,we go into town around nine o'clock Friday morning for odds and sods then to the golf club for lunch and when we arrive home bingo.What a feeling.

If you can do then get yourself a cleaner.

[MrsNails]

Unfortunately Bula, household tasks can take a lot of energy & before l was on Prednisolone l couldn’t manage myself let alone the house.

Is it just you or is there someone you could share the tasks with? If it wasn’t for my husband l’d have to hire a ‘Lady Who Does’

The others have given you some good ideas so wishing you all the best.

MrsN

[43tripandskip]

I think it's best to do tiny bits at a time rather than leave it for a period of time. When I was at my most lethargic, my husband invited friends round for the afternoon. It was the most difficult thing to manage the cleaning. I spent extra time on the bathroom, cleaning the tiles and even bought a cheap grouter to fill in the worst looking tiles. But guess what? Our friends never used the bathroom. There's a lesson there somewhere!

[Swannrise]

This Fatigue is the worst! I can find no cause & effect!

It matters not, how much sleep I get, how much I've walked, housework etc.

Went out one night had lovely dinner with my honey.. Decided to do a little shopping. Too early to go home.. Walked into store. Went to town grabbing this and that.

Dressing room, tried on a few outfits.. Changed back into my clothes.. Then Wham.. Took me 30 minutes, putting pants and boots back on. Could barely lift myself off the bench.. Left dressing room.. Honey was standing there, told me "OMG, you look awful, bags under your eyes, shuffling my legs.. Could barely walk. (30 minutes before I was fine)

Helped walk me to the car. Drove me home.. An hour later I was fine!

I HATE this fatigue! Grrrrrr

~Krissy

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I doubt anyone finds they can run their household as they once did or would like to! I choose my battles to fight - and cleaning is right at the bottom of the list! Vacuuming absolutely finishes me and goes for my lower back. More than about 5 minutes and I am finished! I got a Roomba which helps except I have to move furniture to use it and since my husband has been quite ill he can't help at all. I was about to get a cleaner when Covid struck and she wasn't allowed to come in the appartment. I just got a stick cleaner (not a dyson version) which helps a lot for floors but still doesn't do my back much good!

Dust is very patient - it will always wait ...

[Parami]

I regularly run out of steam, so only do what I can, when I can. Prioritising is important, and I'm lucky to have a helpful husband, who keeps on top of the housework and cooking while I have a snooze.

[mickam]

Like many here I suffer badly from fatigue. It used to really annoy me, along with the joint pain and stiffness, and I was really hung up about the things I couldn't do any more. Nowadays I am more accepting of life as it is. I find that I have to prioritise activities. Fortunately I am able to afford a cleaner which means that I can save my energy for more important things such as a social life, or what passes for a social life under the new normality.

[Purplecrow]

Fatigue? Yes.

When Fatigue first began, I eventually learned I could do two things a day.

If I went to the grocery store, I could cook dinner and that's it.

If I had a lunch date with friends, I could shower, dress and go. That was the end of energy for the day.

I hired a helper who comes in Twice a month to vacuum, clean bathrooms and floors and change sheets.

I Barely manage my own laundry, which, when clean and folded, sits in the basket till I use it.

Long story short....a daily nap.. every day,.., sometimes two, in the early days.

I say no to requests from others, including weddings, funerals, birthday parties, and holiday festies.

I pick and choose what events I can participate, and without feeling guilt , politely decline most.

My friends understand, and those who don't, deal with it.

PMR is absolutely life changing, and relentless. My diagnosis was in 2013.

Currently I use 5.5 mg prednisone, and still sleep a lot.

Kind regards, Jerri