This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Well, what can be done to reduce the pressure from sitting on your bum all day... when "moving around" is not an option??

i can only imagine for now, not being able to move is just to hard you must be a very strong person.

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Had ms for over 19 years now.

i don't know if this is an option for you lollipop... maybe part of the solution might be if you could locate a local special needs pool. they have one at my local community centre. you can roll right down the ramp into it, and float. it's all shallow end, just the right height for a seated individual.

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I don't have the same problem but my father who was wheelchair bound for many years developed some strategies to deal with the problem. One was the use of additional pillows eg the Dunlopillo variety on seating and his wheelchair. He also used additional pillows between his knees when resting and sleeping to alleviate pressure. Also it might be good if you are able to strengthen the arms and upper body and to try and lift yourself up out of a sitting position for a few seconds whenever you can. Forgive me for suggesting this if your condition prevents you doing this.
muu

Muu and everybody else,
Thanks for your suggestions! Appreciate them. I can still stand when supported, just not walk. So, since sitting is a neccessity... we'll see how I do. Hope to prevent worsening. Looking at pillows too.

Hey Lollipop

So sorry that it has come to this for you, but I recall from my nursing days that an air-ring or cushion - it is a foam cushion or plastic ring filled with air, it is round, and has a hole in the middle - shaped like a dough-nut - really helps with pressure on your bum if you have to sit for extended periods of time. Most medical supply shops or companies will have them, otherwise, a childs floatation device, shaped like a dough-nut, and blown up with air, will do in a pinch. We used these cushions a lot for wheel-chair bound patients.

Best of luck.

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Al

Hello lollipop,
I've been off line for a few days so I've only just read your post. Pressure sores are a nightmare for a number of reasons, including being extremely painful and an easy route to infection if the skin is broken. If you look around at disability suppliers you'll find a large variety of pressure relieving cushions from memory foam to egg box shaped – trouble is, you need to be able to try each kind for a few days to find out which one suits you. Perhaps the best bet would be your local occupational therapy department, who should be able to let you try out different ones, or perhaps even a local MS Society. Don't listen when an " expert" tells you which type is the best… only your bum can tell you that!
Since you can stand a bit, I'd recommend getting on to your feet as many times during the day as you can, preferably with a very good friend to rub your backside and get the blood circulating, (MS really lets you know who your friends are!).
My carers swear by an old remedy which they use if the skin is broken or in danger of breaking down: a bar of soap, moistened and rubbed directly over the area seems to work wonders by softening the skin and drying to form a barrier – don't rinse it off – better than any cream I've tried.
Finally I'd recommend taking care of your skin from the inside: a good diet is crucial, and keep hydrated.
I hope this helps,

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Dom

hi again i have been reading about zinc lately, and skin lesions including pressure sores.

we with ms are supposed to have zinc issues. i had mine tested and it was very low. i supplemented for months, retested, and ended up high. now i'm headed for the middle, hopefully.

i had a sore (parakeratotic?) on my bottom for a very long time, which has cleared since i supplemented with zinc. originally i thought it was just more of a pre-existing skin problem, but i still have the other skin issues on my elbows and such. just the bum lesion cleared up with the oral zinc supplementation. odd.