Physical Activity

[Crysalyn30]

I was officially dxd in January 2015 after 2 years of testing and waiting. My question is about physical activity.  I woke up this morning with tightness behind my knee and muscle twitching in the same leg. Most of my symptoms are on my left side. I decided to clean my bathroom after about 5-10 minutes of just rearranging and sweeping I couldn't continue. I felt wobbly and had burning pain down my left side especially in my arm and back. Does anyone else experience symptom flare ups when doing physical activity.?

[Crysalyn30]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences.  It helps knowing others can relate.  I guess I am still adjusting to my new normal.  It takes me a while to accept difficult things but I will get there. :)

[kwarendorf]

Hi - As ess said, it's trite but true. To some degree or another we are all effected by exertion or over exertion. A lot of the impact is caused by body temperature rising in pace with exertion level.

Time, trial and error will help you find your exertion boundries. I'm in the process of knocking the winter dust off my walking limits. In a month I should be able to walk for almost an hour. Today was the forst attempt and I lasted just under 30 minutes, so I have some work to do :-)

My doc tells me that overdoing it will not cause my MS to progress. He said the MS might lengthen my recovery time, but over doing it won't hurt long term.,. Easy for him to say!

Kyle

[davincidanes]

I also have learned that I need to give my body a break.  I just can't do things like I used to without wearing out quickly. The days of being OCD about a clean house are gone.  

~Linda

[essdipity]

It's so trite but at the same time, it's so true--everyone's MS is different.

The symptoms you experience possibly could be the result of plain fatigue. Forcing muscles to do what they just can't do wears them out really fast. Then pain or whatever sets in. For me, since I have weak hip flexors on the right side, driving in bad traffic can be a bear. Constantly moving my foot and leg from accelerator to brake quickly causes bad aching. Putting a rolled up towel under my thigh helps somewhat. Maybe you could switch hands frequently when cleaning, and take frequent breaks?

Having MS makes me realize that energy is like money in the bank--when it's gone, it's gone. I really hate that, but there's nothing I can do to change things. The best I've found is to spend it as wisely as I can, which means using aids and helping mechanisms whenever possible.

Keep posting for support.

ess

[mikeysmom1995]

On Friday I was off work so I decided to get the house cleaned up and laundry done before the weekend so hubby would not have to worry about it. Then it would also free up some time so we could do something over the weekend other than working.
Guess what got up Saturday morning and was wiped out. Sunday wiped out. Today, wiped out and still on the couch. Tired, fatigued, muscle spasms. Still haven't learned how to pace myself or what my new pace is!!!!!!!!
I guess everyone's new normal is different. I'm having a bugger of a time adjusting to mine, if I even know what it is.
Having a pitty poor me party today can you tell???????
Regards barb

[firerescue9]

I have limited my self to certain activities in most things I do.  I just can not do what I used to be able to do.  My worst time is in the morning when getting out of bed and at night when I am tired.  I usually have to hold on to the bed in the morning when I first get up as to not fall.  I don't think this will change (I wish) so I just have worked it into my routine in the morning.  Evenings vary depending on what I am doing.  I have found that as long as I keep moving I can do things. Once I set down I am done. I used to have  OCD about house cleaning and moving my furniture.  Those day are over.  I have other issues like getting groceries one day I tried to pick up a box of cereal dropped it 3 times before I decided to just use 2 hands.  I consider this my normal know.  A friend with MS told me to listen to my body and it will tell me when I have had enough.
This group has been wonderful, I don't post a lot but I read it everyday and it helps to know that I am not crazy or alone.
Leanne

[HVAC]

I have had MS a long time. I have trouble first thing especially. I have bars on a raised toilet seat and bars other places. I get down on the floor and it is hard to get up. Yesterday I dropped my credit card in a store. I could not bend down and pick it up. I also run out of gas when I am doing projects. I don't get progressively tire I get real tired fast.

Alex

[firerescue9]

I also have the same issues after walking and when spending long periods of time on my feet.  After resting awhile it does get better.  I do also experience pain the following day if I really over do things.  This usually only happens when I am on a fire call.  
Leanne

[anon07072023]

I always have problems with weakness & numbness/tingling in my legs. I know it's worse after walking about 20-25 minutes. Then I rest for a little bit and it goes back to my "normal."

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

Yes it's a common issue, a temporary return or worsening of symptoms during physical activity can generally cause what's called a pseudo exacerbation. Physical activity can also cause Uhthoff's (heat intolerance) which can also cause a pseudo, sometimes it's not easy to work out which is causing the pseudo. Rule of thumb is to find your balance, so you don't over do things or get to hot whilst doing in but if you do, cool down and rest up......

Cheers.....JJ