Limitations - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

april1848 · 04-22-2008, 12:25 PM

Yesterday the weather was beautiful and I decided to work on my flower bed. I tilled, weeded, planted, divided, sowed seeds and watered. I worked for about 4 hours. It didn't take long before I was in a ton of pain and overheated, but I enjoy gardening so much that I just didn't want to stop. By the time I was done and washed up I could barely move. My muscles were twitching, my legs were pins and needles, my feet were numb. I got hit with a fatigue that was so bad that I swear even blinking was hard.

I laid on my couch for an hour just not moving. Today I feel a lot better, just leg weakness and very painful joints. I feel angry and frustrated that four hours of gardening made me feel so bad. There's absolutely nothing that I love more than digging in the dirt and helping things grow, the smell of soil, and the total satisfaction it gives me. I hate that one day I may not be able to do this at all. I know I should have stopped yesterday when I started feeling bad, but I just didn't want to. I feel stubborn and childish because I refused to listen to my body. I wanted to do more in the garden today but I'm not feeling so well.

I guess I just needed to vent. I'm angry and sad that I can't work outside all day long. I'm having trouble accepting that I have limitations like this, when I'm 29 years old!

Nenu · 04-22-2008, 12:56 PM

April, remember my house cleaning leading to a trip to the hospital with a spinal migraine?

It SUCKS! I'm right there with you, feeling like I can't do all the things I used to enjoy, like going out all night with friends (there's no way I can go without regular 6+ hours of sleep now).

april1848 · 04-22-2008, 01:17 PM

I feel like I'm being a baby but I can't help it! I can't go out much anymore either. I'm an early to bed, early to rise person and when I deviate from that I don't do too well.

I may work in the garden a little bit later, but I'm not going to overdo it. I don't want to end up in the hospital from that!

Nenu · 04-22-2008, 01:22 PM

Gardening is definitely therapeutic April. Don't overdo it however. If you garden in smaller amounts, you'll probably have more time that you will be able to spend with your passion

MSJayhawk · 04-22-2008, 01:36 PM

I have built several raised beds for my mother with the assistance of my son. The beds are made of plastic lumber and are 18 inches high. This allows the bed to remain accessible from a power chair or easy to sit on the edge and pick flowers or veggies. My mom has Parkinson's and has found the beds easy to use. She now has 8 beds which are 47.5 inches by 26 feet.