Is it just because I'm old and fat?

[Sissy]

I am wondering if anyone else has trouble getting around the next few days after being out running errands for a day! I even feel like I am running a temp. or have the flu. I take 3x as long to do half as much .

The only thing that makes me feel better is knowing I am through for a while! I find I leave the house less and less. I have gone for days without things just because I can't stand the thought of getting out in the heat and buying gro.

I usually go to that "big store" so I can kill all my birds with one stone. I walk in pretty well feeling guilty for using a handicapped parking place. But by the time I come out I am in so much pain and so tired I can barely breath.

The girl at the register tries to get me to use carryout. But I feel guilty for that too. I know they are being run ragged. But believe me no one doubts my need for a handicapped parking and I am so glad I did. By the time I am through I can't lift my rt leg and my rt arm is so weak I can barely unlock my door.

I don't have anyone else to take me and I can't talk to anyone and shop anyway. I forget what I am doing.

[mercadies25]

ME TOO

well this made me laugh!!!

I know it's not funny, but I say this to myself all the time. I am 48 and about 50lbs overweight. I don't know anyone else my same age to judge by.

I went with my daughter to walmart, then she wanted to have lunch with her boyfriend. we went to walmart at 11 am her boyfriend was going to break at 4. I didn't know this till I was already at the store. I tried but noooo way was I going to be able to hang in there till 4.

I too feel optimistic in the beginning then slowly but surely it gets worse and worse.

I am fatigued and worn down for at least a couple of days. My dh does most of the grocery shopping. I too will go without so I don't have to go to the store.

So I'm with you! It's just the MonSter acting up.

Good Luck!!!!

[Thinkimjob]

Well, it's not "just because you are old and fat". It's because you have MS.
I'm detecting just a hint of low self-esteem here.

If people offer to carry your groceries, let them. It's either their job, or it's a kindness.

It is good to get out of the house. Can you order the bulk of your shopping over the phone, get that home delivered, and save your energy to get just a few things and to see a few people?

I can't run errands for a day, or even an hour, or even ten minutes, really any more, but you can't let yourself become a hermit.

[hunterd]

I tell myself the same thing "old and fat", I have to laugh even though it's not a joking matter. Did you ever try to use one of their motorized carts? Even though you feel good when you get there, this will help you.

[hope32]

I'm 37 and (after recent weight loss) fairly slim and I can still get worn out by a long shopping trip at a big store! I've also had stages where my stamina was consistently low for a while.

Please don't be hard on yourself. I think it's hard with MS sometimes to know what's the MS and what might be due to not enough sleep, age, other health conditions, etc., especially with vague things like fatigue and stamina issues. But I would absolutely not feel guilty for accepting carryout help or using the handicapped parking place! Nothing wrong with that at all!

[sgrammied]

Sissy I am exactly the same. I go in fine, I do use the h/c parking. I know when I come out I need it. I need it sometimes just to get in. But for the right leg and arm- ditto. I asked the Dr. about this and he just said MS. I have to lift my leg with my arms to get it in the car.
I love to get out of the house. But the end results sometimes are just to much. Maybe if I did only a little bit of running around each day I would only be tired. But once I do get out I want to get it all done. Knowing I will pay for it later and the next few days.

[wendya432]

Have you tried using the scooter cart things? I say this, and yet I haven't been able to convince myself to use them.

I tell you, I am only 31 and could stand to lose 20 lbs. And I still am the same way shopping. And I feel the same way about using services, like carry out or scooters, etc. I think maybe for me it is because we were raised to do things for ourselves and of course personally I just am stubborn. (I guess when I was a toddler my favorite saying was "I do it myself!" and I think it's still the case! lol)

I think we have to realize that a little help can go a long way. If using the scooter cart means that we use less energy and have more to use the next day, then we need to just suck it up and do it.

I end up doing my shopping, and by the time I get to check out am limping, drenched in sweat, and can't get out any words that make sense. By the time I get home I can't put the groceries away! Then I am down for the rest of the day.

I just hate to think of using the scooter cart when I know I can actually walk and get through my shopping. But maybe we should be taking advantage of the things that are offered.

[KatieAgain]

You know what?

Age and weight might have a little to do about it, but it certainly is not the whole picture. I am starting to approach old...turned 50 this year, and I am of average or a little below average weight.

This has been the worst year with MS that I have ever had. And I have learned a few things along the way. The dishes don't need to be done every night. My crockpot is my friend. Vacuuming the house once a week is just fine. I pull out that handicapped placard without guilt when I need it and walk the extra distance if I am feeling perky.

This is also the first year I routinely use a walking stick to help me with balance and keeping weight off my right side. Pride kept me from doing it before. And finally, if people ask me if I would like assistance with my groceries to the car, I always say yes, please. If they ask...there is a reason, so I might as well take them up on their kind offer.

I even bought a child's toy wagon and keep it in my garage. When I come home from shopping, I load up my wagon with grocery bags and wheel everything at once right into the kitchen. Easy.

Never let pride stand in the way of making things a little more easier and less stressful.

[MSLorrieL]

Me too

Grocery shopping or clothes shopping both wear me out. Just don't have much stamina anymore.

I'm at 5 on the EDSS scale and am doing mostly okay but I do run out of energy fast and when I overdo it, it takes a couple of days to regain some energy.

[Kimba22]

Sissy,

Well, going to that 'big store' to kill all your birds at once isn't the best idea, IMO. I can only tackle 'one bird at once', if that. (And I'm not old or fat). Sounds to me like you are trying to do too much when you finally do go out! It's no wonder you don't want to tackle getting out to the store.

A few times I fell in the store when my legs suddenly gave out. Talk about embarrassing! Then I had the attention of everyone who came running to help the poor girl who fell. I started out feeling great, too. There were times I got so exhausted I couldn't even wait in line to pay for my stuff after I'd accumulated it. Then it was a wasted trip. It's really not worth trying to do too much at once.

Graciously accept the help if it's offered. The workers may be 'running ragged', but consider that to them you would be a welcome 'break' from their routine. In my college days, I worked as a cashier in one of those 'big stores', so I know what I'm talking about. You're also giving someone else the opportunity to feel good for helping someone out. A bonus for them is they are still getting paid to do it! More important, what would you do if you were alone & fell and got hurt in the parking lot???

Whenever I make my shopping list I make it in order of how they are arranged in the store. (And how I hate it when the store decides it's time to remodel & rearrange everything!) I cross stuff off as I get them and it keeps me focused on the task at hand. It helps me avoid the pitfall of the 'wandering eye', too! Otherwise, I'm spending too long in the store & my body just can't handle that.

I hope you'll do what it takes to get the job done & as safely as possible. I had to let pride go a long time ago so I could do whatever it took to get the job done. Whether that meant using a cane, walker, or wheelchair. No one was going to follow me home & take care of me if I completely exhausted myself. I'm finally just grateful when I can get out to the store anymore and for any help I can get to make that possible.

Good luck finding a way that helps you accomplish your shopping & errands.

[Cat Mom]

If someone told me when first dx that managing energy is such a huge part of living with, not just existing with, this rotten disease, the first few years would have been so much easier.

Lots of us go "gung ho" on good days then pay the price for a few days. It's not because "you're old and fat" lol.

Taking advantage of offers to carry out your shopping, etc. goes a long way as far as energy conservation goes. Swallow your pride and accept help when offered and try to pace yourself when running errands. In order to alleviate being disappointed in myself because I "should have done more" (yup, we do lots of that too) I only aim to achieve 1 task that day. Makes it an easy goal to achieve, even exceed!

Jen

[misslux]

I'm not that old and am at an ideal weight, eat well, exercise, etc. and have extremely bad fatigue! Totally the MS.

I definitely have to manage my time and energy. I think the fatigue is what bothers me the most. Even though I have mobility issues, I'd still be able to go out and do a lot of things but I can't because of the fatigue. Grrr...

[acaverly]

I also get worn out after a trip to the store. I am worn out after working my part time job. I cone home and have to rest and feel so ehxausted, also almost fall asleep in my chair but wont let myself. After about an hour I feel I can get up and do something.

[Thinkimjob]

I think having MS really is worse than we're told or we like to believe.
Yes, it's not that bad early on, but honestly for me, it's a train wreck.
I don't know how this happened, (well I do), but here I am these days wondering how on earth I am going to do the simplest things.

Last night the toaster threw the switch, so I was sitting in the dark trying to summon the energy to find a torch and then walk out to the fuse box to flick the power back on. Got there in the end, mainly because no wifi is a powerful motivator.

It is ridiculous. Even going into a cafe and buying a milkshake is insanely difficult. Nearly as much thought and planning go into it, for me, as the D-Day landings.

Where to park, how to get out of the car, how to walk the ten metres from curb to counter, how to stand up long enough to order, how to carry the bloody milkshake, where to sit, how to negotiate the chairs, and not trip over anything.

No wonder I wind up thinking, well who needs a milkshake anyway?
Aaarrrgggghhh.

There is nothing I can just "do" without thinking about it, and all this thinking just wears you out.

I know you have to concentrate on the things you can do, and not on the ever-expanding list of things you can't, but come on MS, give me a break.

[misslux]

You hit the nail on the head.

I am so tired of having to plan every single little thing, every single day.