This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[daverestonvirginia]

Does anyone else have trouble with increased fatigue in late winter early spring? I was only dx two years ago, but it seems like late winter is turning out to be a hard time for me. Anything we can do? I am already taking vit d. I have read that MS does seem to have a natural cycle which matches the seasons? Do we just suck it up and make it through to sunny nice spring days?

[robbie]

I hear ya!!

[Loobie]

I have seasonal affected disorder or whatever that shit is bad. By the time spring comes around I'm ready to flipping kill somebody. I can't be hot because shit doesn't work right, but when it's cold I stiffen up like a board. It pretty much has to be San Diego weather for me to feel good. I have taken 3 or 4 good falls this winter too, which doesn't help either. I am ready to move. I think it's pretty, but I'm ready to travel to where it's cold IF I ever feel like it. Living in it with MS is not conducive to positive thinking.

[Terry]

I thought it was just me!! I'm in Cincinnati and most of our days have been gray lately. I make it to work, and everything else is a struggle. I cannot even hardly make it through the grocery anymore. All the house work- painting, etc, that I thought I would do while the weather was bad is still undone. I cannot wait for spring! I want to feel the sun and see the sunshine. I want to breathe deeply the outside air. This winter has been long and hard for me.

Terry

[Loobie]

Terry,

Since I only live a scant 45 minutes away from you, I know exactly what you are talking about with this winter we've been having. My wife and I used to go to Cincinnati pretty regualrly. She had a lot of customers in her old job down at BGP (P & G desgin wing) and I used to play lots of tournaments at Mid-Town and Waycross athletic clubs and the Blue Ash Y. We had Bengals tickets also until they moved to PBS. I'm exactly like you with the work thing. I can make it through the day, but then I'm totally spent.

Are you like I am in that the weekends are bad? I don't know what it is. I always feel so shitty on the weekends. I think it is the whole routine thing. I have got work stacking up also that I just don't know that I'll ever get to. I can't wait for spring though. I bought a big 'ol riding mower so I can start to mow the lawn again. Last year I went from mowing normal, to mowing it in three sections over a couple of days, to having parts of my yard that I can't mow. Well the grass should be scared again and I'm happy I'll be able to keep going even if I can't see where I've just mowed! I'll be sitting, so I'll just ride the damn thing around all day! Just talking about being outside is getting me fired up. A nice night on the deck, a little Marty and the Cowboy on the radio and I'll be set this year. I plan on really learning how to relax this spring. I was always so driven to get everything done, I just need to chill some too. Next time I get our Reds tickets or we decide to do Cincinnati for dinner, I'll PM you and maybe we can get together and have a drink.

Lew

[cheerleader]

Sun lamps!!!!
my mom uses one for SADD
I bought one for husband, even though we're in California...
it sits above his desk in his office.

http://www.naturebright.com/sunTouchPlus.php

Robbie...I love that pic! Is your dog a portuguese water dog? Bernese?
We have a poodle/terrier mix, not as large, but big, black, fluffy and full'o love. When my husband's legs hurt, he lies on the couch, and she puts her muzzle on his chest - just lets him know she's there for him.

AC

[robbie]

he's a newfie cheer and a good friend, i swear he looks at me and the troubles i have getting around and you can see it in his eyes that he wants me to be better.

[Terry]

I would love that Lew. I'm off 71 between Blue Ash and the city.
Weekends have been bad for me. I used to have a mental list of all the things I wanted to accomplish over the weekend. I guess I still do to some degree, but as the things don't get done, my mental list gets shorter and shorter. Even with the shortened list, I still disappoint myself.
Last Sunday, I slept most of the day away. I don't think I've done that in years. I remember being younger and a day like that was heaven. It didn't feel like heaven that time. I went to work Monday feeling like I'd wasted my time off.

[Loriyas]

We moved from Columbus Ohio to Naples for just this reason. I found during a vacation here that I felt so much better. So we decided to take a risk and make a move. Sooo glad we did! I know it isn't practical for everyone to just up and move but sometimes you have to take a chance and make a change. We have no regrets and often say how we do not miss the winter in Columbus, the gray, overcast, icky weather! I guess if moving is not an option then at least maybe try to get out of the winter into some sunshine on occasion. I wish I could send you some sunshine!!!!
Lori

[Terry]

I wish you could send us some sunshine, too! If you figure out how, I'll repay you with some of this gray-ness.

[Punchy]

I'm also having a hard time this winter. We've had a lot of rain and snow here in Toronto and I find myself desperate to see sun. Even though the summer heat kills me.

I also despise weekends - I feel awful, no energy and depressed. But I'm loathe to get up early on a weekend morning.

[Brainteaser]

I went to Texas a couple of years ago in December and the weather was fabulous! Can't you people organize your lives a bit better so you always get the best from what North America has to offer, rather than complaining so much!!

[Terry]

Lori,

I don't know how you did it, but I turned the news on this morning and the weather forecast for the day is 61 and sunny! Thanks!

Terry

[Loriyas]

Yayyy! It worked! Now go outside and soak up the sunshine today-get your vitamin D fix! I'll try to send some more sunshine your way!!!
Lori

[TwistedHelix]

I've always been a bit of a freak, (insert comment here, Bob), in that I've always loved the winter: brisk walks across snow-covered fields and back home to a roaring log fire and toasted vitamin D tablet. Problem is that thanks to global warming we don't get proper winters any more: it hardly ever snows and when it does it's a pathetic dusting that looks like a dandruff convention has just passed through, and it's gone within hours, (although the country still manages to grind to a halt because of it).

That picture is stunning, Robbie: fancy a house swap?!

Sun lamps for SAD might help, including the ones that wake you up with gradually increasing light levels. Replacing your domestic light bulbs with full-spectrum models could also be an option worth considering.

Now Lori, how about working a little of your magic over here? Snow, please!