Just stopping in to say hi!

[figuerpa]

Wanted to stop in and say hi to everyone. Haven't been around in a long while but I do check in once in a while just not doing any posting.

I have been doing well, I am pretty sure I am past the relapse I had but I do have lingering symptoms. Today I started with the sunburnt feeling in my upper body but not sure if it is due to the relapse or exhaustion. Yesterday was a very hectic day for me. I was out running from doctors to hospitals for my mom and tests she needed, then went to my daughters while my dh fixed her car and got home around 10:30 and collapsed and today I just don't feel right.

I am going to let a few days pass to see how I am feeling and go from there. Hopefully tomorrow it will all be gone and I will have nothing to worry about. Not that I am worried anyway. I have accepted MS as part of my new life and know that things will come and go and have learned to stop stressing over every symptom that comes my way. Life is just too short for me to stress over what I have no control over so I am just going to let it take its course.

I have been working on losing weight, I know that can only help with me trying to carry myself lol. I am down 26 pounds and still have alot more to lose but it is coming off slowly and I do feel better. If I could just get the weight loss to help with my fatigue I would be GREAT! lol but I know that the fatigue is part of the MS and it is just somehting I have to live with.

I have started Christmas Shopping, I sent in my first mail order and I have picked up a few things here and there. I know it sounds crazy to start so early but it is easier for me and I beat the rush of the shopping season. I will still wait to get things during the rush but I won't be rushing to get it all done at once.

Grandkids are doing great. Little Alex is a hoss lol, he keeps getting bigger and bigger but he is a very happy baby. Diego is still grandmas boy. He is glued to me when I am around and we have a good time.

Well I think I have covered everything lol, this turned out a lot longer than I had planned but I haven't been around in a while so thought I would catch you all up on what has been going on with me. I hope everyone is doing well!

Paula

[figuerpa]

Shell,

Thank you, I am still having my ups and downs but I have come to terms with this disease and realized that ups and downs are part of it and there is nothing I can do but to live one day at a time.

My neuro just upped my meds to help with the pain and spasms so hopefully that helps, if not then he will have to do something else.

Thank you,

Paula

[sllowe]

Figu!

Hey you! Nice to see you. You sound great! Acceptance sure does lower that burden doesn't it?

I'm proud of the progress you are making, and so happy to know you are doing well :)

(((hugs)))
shell

[figuerpa]

Debs,

You are right the less weight we carry around the less strain on our bodies. I am just proud that I have taken the steps to actually start helping myelf.

Paula

[shermay]

Hi Paula,

Xmas shopping already ??:))

I always have the impression that if we carry less weight then it's less of a strain on our legs etc. maybe I'm wrong, and it's just my way of thinking;)

Take it easy for the next few days, it sounds like you have had a hectic few days, so maybe it's the fatigue catching up with you - however it's  good to see you posting here again and giving the latest info.

Sorry about your dx Paula, but we are all here for you - as it's a tough call - but we are women and we are STRONG!!!

And well done Alex for losing so much weight:too - way to go girls:)

Debs x

[figuerpa]

Alex,

Thank you,

I am down 26 and I still have about 40 more to go. I will get there slow and steady. The slower the pace the better chance of keeping it off. Energy comes in spurts with me. I can go for a while then need to rest and sometimes I can go again just depends on the day.

Paula

[HVAC]

Paula,
  Sounds good. It is hard to accept MS as a new normal. The weight loss does help. I have ten more pounds to go. I lost 40 pounds over 4 years. My goal is ten pounds a year that I can keep off. Unfortunately I do not have tons of energy either.

  I am glad you are enjoying the grandchildren and Xmas shopping.

Alex

[figuerpa]

Doublevision,

Thank you for your response, I am doing Weight Watchers and it is helping me a lot. I am so much more aware of what I am putting in my mouth these days. I feel so much better with the weight loss and I am going to keep at it.

As far as exercise goes, I do what I can when I can. I was feeling good there for a while and was exercising (walking on my treadmill) every day but then it got to where I would walk for 5 minutes and not be able to move, so I do waht I can when I can.

I am going to let a few days pass, but if it doesn't get any better there isn't a whole lot to do anyway so I will just live with it. My leg is very week today, it has the sleep feeling but I am just going with it and taking it easy today.

Fatigue is something I have delt with the past 4 years since all my symptoms started. I wasn't this big then because I was always on the run, working and more active. I put on weight with all the meds and sitting on my a$$ all the time lol. I am still sitting alot but now I am just more aware of what I am eating and drinking lots and lots of water.

As for Christmas shopping, this works best for me, I don't have to be on my feet for hours shopping last minute. I started with early Christmas shopping last year and plan to do it every year. Mail order is my friend now lol. I love Christmas, it is my favorite holiday of the year and if you think about it there are only 97 days left till Christmas. I read somewhere when there were 117 days left and that got me shopping.

thanks again :),
Paula

[doublevision1]

Good to see you on the forum again.  Also glad you believe your relapse is llargely behind you.  As far as how you're feeling today, I agree with you to let a few days pass unless things worsen in the meantime.  You probably overdid it yesterday and may just need some rest.

Congrats on the 26 lb weight loss!  Have you done it through diet, exercise or both?  When you say you wish the weight loss would help with fatigue but that the fatigue is part of  MS and just something you have to live with, NO, not necessarily!  For some maybe, but until you're at your healthy weight you really don't know.  We're all so different and not all MS patients must be resigned to live their lives with fatigue, or at least cripppling, disabling fatigue.  

There are numerous studies - I'll try to find them again for you - that demonstrate that increased physical activity including strength training and aerobic workouts can actually lessen baseline fatigue levels in many MS patients.  So if you're currently exercising as part of your weight loss program, keep at it, and if you're not, think about trying it if you're able.  Please keep us posted on how you're doing with the MS and the weight loss, I'm sure many will be motivated by it.

Take care.

ps: Christmas shopping?!  Yikes!  Actually you are smart to be starting early for all the reasons you mention.  I ought to start soon too.