Winter Blues

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daverestonvirginia
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Winter Blues

Post by 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
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Post by robbie »

I hear ya!! Image
Had ms for 28 yrs,
8.5 EDSS
SPMS, 54 yrs old
Taking it day by day
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Loobie
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Post by 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.
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Terry
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Post by 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
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Loobie
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Post by 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
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cheerleader
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Post by 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
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com
robbie
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Post by 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.
Had ms for 28 yrs,
8.5 EDSS
SPMS, 54 yrs old
Taking it day by day
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Terry
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Post by 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
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Post by 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
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Terry
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Post by 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. :lol:
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Punchy
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Post by 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.
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Brainteaser
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The Weather

Post by 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!! :wink: :wink: :wink:
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Terry
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Post by 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! :D

Terry
Loriyas
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Post by 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
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TwistedHelix
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Post by 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!
Dom
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