Sniveling!

I try not to snivel. Really! 
But, it happened, and I had no control over it!  

My lower lip decided, all on its own,
To quiver and quake,
Shimmy and shake,
Side-jerk and twitch.
Facial nerve glitch.
Steady beat, no song,
Not sad, nothing wrong.
No camera around, photo op blown! 

😜

MS Fatigue Explained

I've been pondering just what it is that causes the drastic fatigue for those with MS. I found this where she answers that well and also gives some great tips on lowering your fatigue levels and ways to keep fatigue from getting overwhelming.




More on the cause:
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-ms/signs-and-symptoms/fatigue/causes-of-fatigue

There are some good tips here:
https://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/ms-related-fatigue

TIMBER!

"...you getting up and trying to work past it is going to make it worse."

Truth.

We trimmed trees, dragged limbs uphill, and cut up branches today for our exercise...for 2-3 hours. I was, as the woman in the video said, "knackered."

Afterward, I was using the garage wall and the car for support as I stood there. I was proud I was actually still standing. Hubby mentioned I looked tired.

"I'm beyond that."

I made my way into the house and was proud of myself for not just lying down on the garage floor or the hallway tile. TIMBER!! 🙈

Actually making it to the bathroom, I even stubbornly decided to stay upright and endeavor to shower.  I was going all out here! I'd resolved long ago to stay active. By gum, I meant it!💪

Not too hot on the water now.  WHEW!  Feat accomplished!

As I was patting myself dry and patting myself on the back for not going straight to bed (while just figuring to launder sweaty, tree-dirty sheets later), I pondered what hubby had said earlier about his being tired but thinking about how the tree crew we'd had here a few weeks ago had done such stuff all day and in the rain!

I'd answered, "Yeah, but they had help. [Meaning there were a lot of them; this was just two of us.] I don't like comparing myself to other people like that, for I'm wanting to be proud of myself for doing what I did!"

Pushing further, I didn't go to bed straight away.

While my hair dried, I worked online for a bit.

Then, though, I went to bed (around 5pm) and slept until 9pm. I could have gone back to sleep. But, I got up, fixed a late supper, and am now awake at 12:35am. The bed is starting to call my name again.

Often, I try to work past it. Not always doable.

Normal people, you know how, when you have a bad cold or the flu and you just keep going and going because you have so much to do? Then, your body just "hits the brick wall," and you have little choice but to rest. Yeah, that's kind of the same brick wall here, only higher and thicker...and it just fell on you. 😉

You, too, can be cool!

https://msfocus.org/Get-Help/MSF-Programs-Grants/Cooling-Program 😎

Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) ...

This is Cassie's 3rd "MS Story" video. Right now, my brain is too weary for me to figure out how to add her second into this same post. Be sure to go check out her YouTube channel to hear more from her and catch that "in between" video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_iVttunaMLs6MShOwvZxVg
My own take on dysphagia below the video.





I've been very fatigued with lots of leg weakness, drop foot, numbness, yada yada the last month. I've also noticed a new symptom. Ah...so maybe this is a relapse.  Anyway, I'll be eating and start to swallow what I've chewed then it is like my body has forgotten how to swallow. That's why what she says in the video above was so striking for me when I heard it just now. It really is how it seems and how I've said it when trying to explain it.

Partway down, it is like the swallowing muscles stop and go, "What was it were we doing? Was this going up or down? Is it even there anyway? DID something just come by? It went on down, right?" I, in answer, am telling those muscles, "Dudes, the food ball is still right there. You've done this for nearly 50 years! What about this is so tough?! Just send it on down, please."

↑↓⇳↺↻↧

There's a lot of sickness (cold/respiratory problems) going on in our community right now. I was thinking I was going to avoid it, since I'd been around it for a couple months without showing any signs of getting it. Well, I think I got it; but it is extremely mild compared to everyone else here, which surprises me. Usually when I get something, my body does it with gusto.  And, it usually ends with a cough that lasts for months.

Well, this cold made the fatigue worse and there were a few sniffles, but no sinus issues. No fever. No vertigo and everything else that jumps on board when my body is weakened. So, yay! I thought I was over it. And, no cough this time, either....except after every meal. Lasts for 20-30 minutes, then I'm okay. Sometimes coughing during the meal, too. Usually, eating helps when I have a cold.  This was weird.

Yeah, you're already going where my brain should have gone earlier. I think the swallowing problems are causing some of what I ingest to go down "the wrong way" and my lungs are rebelling. Hmmm. I figure this out after 3-4 days of this, mind you. Is my fatigued pulp of a brain being a little slow on this? (chuckle) I'm thinking so. I'm going to have to start talking to my brain, too, I think. 😉

Cassie's MS Story

This lovely young lady is a fount of good information -- a woman after my own heart.

Metaspencer's MS Story - 18 Years In

This!  Yes!  Exactly!  For me, anyway.

Metaspencer's MS Story - 19 Years In

Hmmm....found an "MS twin" out there, except I haven't gotten a definite diagnosis yet. Lots of the same practices and perspectives. I'm 50 in May. More some other day.

Jack Osbourne describes MS diagnosis as his "scariest moment"

MSunderstood Café