Health problems with some wheelchair users.- started April 2008 - Since we are different don't expect to be using the same standards of the able bodied - Personal - http://maxpages.com/happymspage/The_right_yardstick_for

.REWRITE April 14,2008
Once you start using a wheelchair most of the time your health problems might increase.
Why!! because many times we become more inactive physically.This is especially true if you are using either a power wheelchair or a scooter.The LUNGs are not getting enough exercise.The heart is not getting enough exercise.
The big problem with US in wheelchairs we also get fatigued so easily too.
But I have been keeping my eyes on several people with advanced MS who have been in wheelchairs a long time. I find one common denomitor is they are using their extra light
weight wheelchairs more to get about.That is the exercise .they also have kept their weight down and they seem more active and going places ,even if the places are just local.
They have even exercise times when they do a bit of exercise with light weight dumebells.
Let your GP doctor keep tract of your health as mine seems to want to check me out every 3 months as to blood pressure, weight and skin, and the other problems many of us in wheelchair have.

We also shouldn't compair ourselves to other MSer we know.As you know some are in different groups.The primary Progressive(PPMS) can'texpect to be measured with the R/RMS
The secondary progressive is a group by its self,and not all of us are even equal
in this one.Just because you have been in PPMS or SPMS the same amount of time as some body else
isn't a reason to measure yourself by them.
They may be in a wheelchair sooner than you.Many in PPMS or SPMS keep walking for years.
Naturally with the help of walkers,or crutches, and maybe braces.Don't think of any of them as ugly,they will do things for you that will enrich your life style.They are the best additions to your life style yet invented.

You really don't need an excuse for doing nothing if you have progressive MS.If
your spouse knows your difficulties,then there isn't any one else that needs any excuses
for why you have chosen to do near nothing or nothing on a particular day.Energy just
wasn't forth coming that day.You aslo don't need an excuse for not walking much on a day
when your legs are just a bummer.Just slip into your wheelchair and stay there as it
will keep you from getting worse on one of those downer days.
Remember you don't need any excuses for any assistive devices you think will help you
walk better or longer with out tripping,or trigering your fatigue earlier in the day.
You deserve to make it through the day and only get tired near real bed time.

But there is one negative thing about being overly tired at bed time.You will be too
exausted for bed time fun with your mate.Too much of this will turn your mate off and
this has been known to trigger their interest in others outside the household.Therefore
maybe it would be wise to conserve enough energy to make bedtime with some reserve
energy for bed time sex.How you save during the day is your methods.I know the days I just
sit it out in the wheelchair,go nowhere then I got the energy in the evening.

But eat right, not too much,as it will make you gain weight.I learned the hard way
as my MS begain I was still eating as much as when I was very physically active.I gained
from 180 to 210 in several years before I put a halt to it.I have stayed there at 210
now for 17 years with careful eating and just a little more exercise.Now with carefully watching my intake of food and making better selections,I'm down to 205 (sept 25,2007)
Over weight might also turn off your mate.It will also make having sex harder.Should
you gain weight do your best to cover it up with clever clothing.You can look sexy in the
right clothing even sitting in a wheelchair.
There is a woman who is a wheelchair user that comes into the mall regularly> She
knows how to dress,and smiles all the time. She always arises the sexual instinct in me
just looking at her.She isn't all that young either.I believe she also evokes some sexual stares from other too.

Then what will you use as your yardstick?Use yourself.Your past vs the present.
How were you back 5 years ago?or just 2 years or last year. Do you keep a diary?
You should,with your personal assessment of your health,your gait,your fatigue threshold
and Is you weight stable.Don't worry if you are a bit over weight,justdon't gain any more.
More weight will just make your body harder to get about and your fatigue threshold will
be lower.Not all of us have the same fatigue threshold.
Ask yourself : are you getting enough rest?
Are you getting enough exersise? exercise in proportion to your strength level.
You have to know your real strength level.Don't think in terms of building your body up
so it will take more.We all are in just a "lets stay as close as possible as where we are
now."

Try out new exercises and maybe they will fit you, if not discard them.
There are exercises for us who are wheelchair users.There is a distance you can walk every
day if you use crutches or a walker.It should be stuck to as long as possible.
But don't expect to expand on it.If a 1/2 mile is your limit do it but don't stretch it
into 1 mile.your body with the fatigue level will not take it.
Too often we simplely don't know our real level of fitness.
The right mental attitude will go further with us than a overly tired body.
We have to know when to bid and when to fold.I feel better somedays in a wheelchair
skip the walking,do some rolling,its good for your arms.

In time I soon learned my walking distance was almost nil without my braces.They are
a tool,not a millstone about my legs.The crutches better than either the walker or the
cane as it gives you leverage you would miss without them.
Your meds will subtract some valuable nutrients.You must have a suppliment of vitamins and minerals ,but don't over do.Overdueing will also throw a burden on your body.
NEVER try to compete physically with a able bodied person.You will loose every time.
admitting we are different is the first measure to better health.You will be less frustrated and enjoy your life more .
RET

Eileen Lukeman and Richard Tanner

FL.

Eileen(Lobosgirl) and Richard (RET1000) both at aol.com

Visitors: 02020

Page Updated Mon Mar 9, 2009 11:28am EST