Daily Work-A-Rounds
On this page are daily work-a-round tips from MS patients who like most
of us, had to alter the way they do daily tasks. Most likely this has happened by
default because we can no longer do things the way we used to be before we were
diagnosed. Perhaps you'll find a tip or two that will help you to get through your
day more easily!
Remember..
You know you can still perform daily tasks...
Maybe not like before MS but, you can still do it with these daily tips!!
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“Life Hacks” for MSers
People living with MS are definitely in need of some life hacks to help us save some time, energy, and maybe even maintain some independence. This is a comprehensive list of some hacks that can make your life living with MS a little bit easier
https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/life-hacks-msers/
MS Terms A-Z
A to Z: Explaining 35 of the Most Commonly Used MS Terms
Ataxia: A phrase used to describe the inability of your brain to voluntarily coordinate and control your muscles. When experiencing ataxia you may sway, stumble and slump.
Autoimmune disease: MS is a type of autoimmune disease. All autoimmune diseases have the same cause, a perception of the body to see itself as a foreigner. When foreign matter is identified your immune system is activated. Therefore in autoimmune conditions your body attacks itself.
Axon: The part of a nerve that sends electrical impulses or “information” to surrounding tissues.
Babinski sign: An abnormal response to the Plantar reflex which is triggered when a blunt object is stroked down the sole of your foot. The normal response is a curling of your foot. The Babinski sign is the opposite, it’s an upward flexing.
Bell’s Palsy: Facial paralysis.
Chronic: MS is often described as chronic. A condition or illness that is experienced for a long time and may also be constantly recurring. The opposite of this phrase is acute.
Contracture: A descriptive for permanent muscle or joint shortening as a consequence of your muscles and tendons remaining too tight for too long.
Diplopia: Double vision.
Dysesthesia: Abnormal sensations which can be created by touch or may appear spontaneously. If you experience dysesthesia you’re likely to feel sensations of burning, itching, wetness, pins and needles or even electric shocks.
Dysarthria: The inability to speak normally or pronounce words properly. Dysarthria occurs when the muscles that produce speech are affected by the progression of your MS.
Foot drop: A side effect caused by damage to a specific collection of nerves responsible for movement of your forefoot. You’ll often hear this referred to as a gait abnormality which simply means a change to your way of walking.
Hemiparesis: Having weakness throughout one side of your body.
Hemiplegia: The experience of complete paralysis throughout one side of your body.
Interferons: A type of protein naturally made by your body that when released tells neighbouring cells to attack a sensed virus or bacteria, triggering your immune system.
Myelin/Myelin Sheath: A protective fatty substance that coats many of your axons, the part of a nerve that sends communications.
Demyelination: Damage caused to the protective coating of myelin found within your nerves.
Myelitis: An inflammation of the spinal cord causing an interruption of nerve communications to your body. Paralysis and sensory loss are common symptoms of myelitis.
Neuron: A nerve cell whose job is to send and receive information through electrical signals. Your nerve cells work together in an expansive network collectively triggering you to move and to experience sensations.
Nystagmus: Nicknamed as dancing eyes, nystagmus is the involuntary movement of your eyes.
Oligodendrocytes: A type of cell responsible for creating the fatty and protective myelin sheath your body uses to protect specific portions of all nerves.
Optic neuritis: Optic refers to your eye sight and neuritis describes the inflammation of the nerve. Hearing these two words together describes a symptom of MS often leading to disruptions of your vision.
Plaque/lesion: The medical term used to describe scars appearing in the white matter of your brain and spinal cord. The parts responsible for sending communications. These plaques occur as your body attempts to repair the nerve damage being caused by MS.
Paraparesis: Weakness in your lower body.
Paraplegia: Paralysis of your lower body.
Paresis: A weakening of the muscles in any part of your body.
Paresthesiae: A feeling that seems to have no cause. Pins and needles is the most commonly experienced, similar sensations that may feel like tingling or prickling are also signs of paresthesiae.
Sclerosis: The Greek word for hard, sclerosis describes the stiffening of your body’s tissue. In multiple sclerosis, the phrase is used to describe the formation of plaques or lesions.
Spasticity: Hear this word quickly and you might hear plasticity. The two words have a lot in common. Spasticity is used to describe the opposite of an object that’s referred to as having plasticity. It’s specifically the stiffening or tightening of your muscles leading to problems with movement and speech.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: A stabbing or burning sensation experienced on the side of your face. It’s a consequence of damage to a specific nerve called the trigeminal nerve which is found in your brain.
T-cell/T-lymphocyte: A specific type of cell that forms a vital part of your immune system. T-cells help to create inflammation and kill neighbouring cells they perceive as foreign. This is important when your body uses it appropriately but when you have MS, your body uses these processes to attack itself.
Ways to Live Better With MS
Managing your life with MS isn't just about dealing with the symptoms you have right now. It's about thinking through what could happen in future -- the possible effects on your job, family, and finances -- and preparing for them. Even if your symptoms are mild, planning can make you feel better and be more confident in your future. "It's not bad luck to think about what you might do if your symptoms got worse," says Rosalind Kalb, PhD, a clinical psychologist and vice president of clinical care...
Read more
http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/features/live-better-with-ms
Helpful Daily Tips for MSer's by MSer's
Most Common:
Always ask for help when you need it. Put your ego aside because the help you get will be worth it
Say the alphabet and count from 1-10 3x each day
Write absolutely everything down from tasks you need to do at the start of each day, to do list, appointments, etc. number each item relative to importance. Check off items as you complete each task (avoids your endless distractions)
Use sticky notes plastered all around your house as constant reminders. You can even stick them on walls designated by subject matter/room
Must get from point A to B then you can worry about C-Z later
Just think "point feet that way and walk”
“My Little Reminder” (purchase on the web) it’s a 4" oblong device that helps you remember things. It records your (grocery lists, where you parked, where you put something, to do's, take my meds at what time? Cost $10-$15 dollars single or double set (AA battery required)
If you have a Smart Phone or iPhone get the free app called Siri. She remembers your daily schedule dates, to-do's etc. With a beep that reminds you when you have to do something
Siri your personal secretary becomes your personal secretary, search for anything on your cell phone or internet, record your voice and convert it to typed text with her Voice Memo feature and email or txt the memo and send it to someone in your phone’s address book. Speak clearly and slowly to avoid frustration by you & Siri. (She doesn’t respond well to swear words and she might cancel the operation or get lost in Web land)
iPhone uses email, internet access (browser), bookmarks, texting, calendar with notification sound reminders, contacts with contact pictures, , contacts list organize contacts by category: Doctors, hospitals, medication providers and pharmacies, family, friends, exercise, restaurants, entertainment. This way you don’t have to remember names of people or placesnotes and notifications reminders with sound promps for to do lists (shopping), camera, calculator, flashlight, find my phone, icloud storage, GPS voice & visual maps, Apple Store apps. brain games, word, photo editing
You can select letters and numbers on a smart phone with a stylist pointer (phone app store and many retail stores have them.) Then velcro a 1/8 inch strip to each (phone and stylist) this way you always know where your stylist is (“oh! it’s right here on the phone”!) It’s particularly helpful for someone with shaky hands and fingers. It avoids having to press the exact position or press small keys with your fidgety fingers
Send email or text to yourself for lists and reminders
Make an effort to move more slowly and deliberately
To write use Sharpie pens. They work very well for when you’re forced to write
FOR THE HOME
Grab ropes on bed corners to help with movement in bed
Grab bars for the tub or shower
Grab bars around toilet area and on walls
Use a bed rail to assist getting in and out of bed
Use reacher's/grabbers in multiple rooms to pick up high things, small things, items you drop that are stuck under or between something. Let’s face it, you probably won’t be able to safely bend to grab it without hurting yourself
Roll in walk in showers
Shower chair
Lowered bathroom sink (for wheelchairs & scooters)
Ramps in entry ways
2nd microwave, counter top height, or where you are able to reach it. This way it’s a lower transfer to use than the above the stove microwave
Before you get out of bed in the morning:
-Stretch with arms up as high as you can and out as far as you can and stand and stretch downward each morning and try not to fall over
-Move your body to the (left, or right side w/arms & head opposite extension hold for 15 sec then switch sides (4x each side)
-After you complete your stretching exercise get out of bed by turning your body onto the l/r side (depending on which side you’re on) leading with left or right arm, put legs on the floor first, then pivot your body up with l/r elbow. NOT straight up
Do not tell anyone how you feel until at least 2 hours after being awake
Using a short rope around the door handles you often have to close. Use the rope instead of door handle to close the door
Make sure all important phone numbers are in your cell or phone directory and family and friends have a copy
Use a plastic multi pill (12-24) box dispenser (most pharmacies carry these) keep one fully loaded in the house and one in the car
Use small stickers to label each pill box stating the name of med, dosage, frequency and what it’s for
Use Tupperware chopper instruments to prepare most food
Have an easily accessible contact and medical list posted in the house and also one your car. Make sure family, friends and caretakers know where it is
Use a TV tray with handles and sides to move food & drinks around to your eating destination (side bars or contoured sides should be at least 5 inches high to avoid things falling off tray)
When moving items (to car or room) use a box with handles (cardboard or plastic) catch all container to avoid items falling from your overloaded arms
If you have a walker use it to carry laundry baskets to and from the washing machine
Have hardwood floors instead of carpeting in your house. It’s so much easier to roll around with a walker, wheelchair or scooter
General
Always ask for help when you need it. Put your ego aside because the help you receive will be worth it. Plus the person who helps you will feel good about it!
Say the alphabet and count from 1-10 3x each day
Write absolutely everything down from tasks you need to do at the start of each day, to do list, appointments, etc. number each item relative to importance. Check off items as you complete each task (avoids your endless distractions)
Use sticky notes plastered all around your house as constant reminders. You can even stick them on walls designated by subject matter/room
Make an effort to move more slowly and deliberately
Just get from point A to B then you can worry about C-Z later
Just think "point feet that way and walk”
“My Little Reminder” (purchase on the web) it’s a 4" oblong device that helps you remember things. It records your (grocery lists, where you parked, where you put something, to do's, take my meds at what time? Cost $10-$15 dollars single or double set (AA battery required)
If you have a Smart Phone or iPhone get the free app called Siri, she becomes your personal secretary. She remembers your daily schedule dates, to-do's etc. With a beep that reminds you when you have to do something
Siri can record your voice and convert it to typed text with her Voice Memo feature and email or txt the memo and send it to someone in your phone’s address book (speak clearly and slowly to avoid frustration by you & Siri. (She doesn’t respond well to swear words and she might cancel the operation or get lost in Web land)
You can select letters and numbers on a smart phone with a stylist pointer (phone app store and many retail stores have them.) Then velcro a 1/8 inch strip to each (phone and stylist) this way you always know where your stylist is (“oh! it’s right here on the phone”!) It’s particularly helpful for someone with shaky hands and fingers. It avoids having to press the exact position or press small keys with your fidgety fingers
Get the FREE iPhone app flashlight for use when you are in the dark places (like movie theaters, camping at night or other dark areas
Text information to you need to remember or do to your email address
Make an effort to move more slowly and deliberately
Use sticky notes as reminder of to-do’s
To write use Sharpie pens. They work very well for when you’re forced to write
Text or email yourself items of importance if it’s something you must remember.
In your cell phone contacts list organize contacts by category: Doctors, hospitals, medication providers and pharmacies, family, friends, exercise, restaurants, entertainment. This way you don’t have to remember names of people or places
Personal Needs
Necklace fastener magnet-to clasp jewelry- Attaches to both ends of a chain
Button and zipper gadget to help you get dressed
Use a magnified mirror to put on your make up, lotion, earrings, etc.
Necklace fastener magnet-to clasp jewelry- Attaches to both ends of a chain.
Exercise
Exercise each day. Swimming (weightless) rotary bike, yoga, pilates reformer or just going up and down the stairs of your porch or house. You can always find a way to exercise and pick something that’s right for you
There’s always something you can exercise with in your home. Attach exercise bands to doors, kick items (instead of picking them up) you want to move somewhere else
Use your bed or furniture (sit to standing 10 times, while seated toggle your feet one at a time and then together.
Floor standing bicycle pedals that you can pedal around while you’re watching TV
Go to the gym or exercise at home at least 3-4 times a week. Maybe you’ll find that exercise does better for you than most drugs do
Write every task down that you need to do at the start of each day (w/to do list, number each item
relative to importance (prioritize to do's) check off items as you complete each task (avoids distraction).
Have easily accessible contact and medical list posted in the house and also in your car. Make sure
family, friends and caretakers know where it is.
Place non-refrigerated meds are placed in a separated pill holder (weekly amounts for each pill)
keep one in your house and one in purse or car.
Get completely ready at the start of the day before you do other tasks (focus) to avoid being late to
wherever you need to be.
Use a TV tray with handles and sides to move food & drinks around to your eating destination (side bars or contoured sides should be at least 5 inches high to avoid things falling off tray).
When moving items (to car or room) use a (cardboard, plastic) catch all box to avoid items falling from your overloaded arms.
To carry shopping bags from car to house-use a multi handled bag gripper (holds up to 5 bags with the handles).
Household picker upper-long rod grabber/gripper. To pick up high things, small things, items you drop that is stuck under or between something.
On the Go
Keep a cell phone with you at all times
Take bottled or container of water wherever you go!
Use alert alarm on your car key to draw attention to yourself for help or to find your car in the parking lot. That is if you don’t park in easy to spot handicap parking spaces because they are all taken
To carry multiple shopping bags from car to house-use a multi handled bag gripper (holds up to 5 bags with the handles)
Put a fastened urine bag in the back seat of your car, also toilet paper or other potty clean up items
Line one side of the car back seat floor w/newspaper for any spilling or over flow (you can even share it with your dog)
Always have extra medicine and standard first-aid supplies in your car
Wear Pose pads daily for times when you just can’t hold your urine in any longer
If all else fails put a portable potty device on your driver side seat and then try not to get pulled over. That would be a very embarrassing explanation to say and to show to the Police Officer
Get completely ready to go in the morning making sure that’s not the last thing you still have to do before you leave. To-do’s can wait but clothing must be worn in public.
When traveling via an airport always request their handicap wheelchair service when you book your travel. It will take you to and from your gates. This also will get you to the front of every line for example, Customs. By wheelchair they bring you ahead of the non-handicap travelers