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Cayjominara
Cayjominara Posts: 270 Member
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Hi. I'm looking for advice. I'll get straight to it. My wife is 44. In 2010, she had a mild stroke and was diagnosed with MS. She no longer works because her motor skills and mental functioning has been compromised. Most days she wakes up in pain, hardly able to walk without difficulty. She has this crazy arthritis that surfaces every blue moon where her hands constrict in these painful contortions. It lasts for few minutes then passes. She desperately and to lose weight and get in shape, but the physical challenges make it difficult to sustain anything.
Do you happen to know of anything we can do together to help her? We realize that if she gets healthy, it will be totally beneficial. I hate seeing her health continue to digress because of weight gain. I'm reaching out for any wisdom.

Thanks!

Replies

  • kfelton1226
    kfelton1226 Posts: 13 Member
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    Weight loss is mostly diet - I do very (VERY) little exercise. I'd get her an account on here and start with small changes.

    Good luck!! I hope she feels better, I can't imagine being in pain every day.
  • lisaanne1369
    lisaanne1369 Posts: 377 Member
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    exercise in water ?
  • Romey5
    Romey5 Posts: 157 Member
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    I am very sorry to hear about your wife. A while back my husband found a video on YouTube about a doctor who was diagnosed with MS and created a diet which dramatically relieved her symptoms. Her research sounds pretty amazing if you would like to check into it. The link is below, but if it does not work search under "Minding Your Mitochondria, Dr. Terry Wahls." She also has a website with lots of info. I truly hope your wife is able to find some relief soon. Best wishes!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc
  • minijag06
    minijag06 Posts: 70
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    I've been told that weight loss is 80% of what you eat and 20% exercise. Focus on the food on the bad days and start walking on the good days. Sorry to hear about your wife. Best of luck!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,488 Member
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    My Mom has something very similar to MS. She does water aerobics 3 times a week and loves it. The instructor is very good about helping adapt the moves for her limitations.

    I believe the local chapter of the MS Society also has classes here - you might want to look into if they have anything in your area. They also might have suggestions and such. I've been to a few of their programs and they're very helpful.
  • Mazydasiy2001
    Mazydasiy2001 Posts: 54 Member
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    Hi I was going to say water aerobics. My Aunt had rheumatoid Authortis and she did water areobics and it was very helpful.

    Kim
  • trulyjoyouswoman
    trulyjoyouswoman Posts: 36 Member
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    There is a type of physical therapy for MS patients that increases their mobility and reduce the rigidity. A medical prescription for physical therapy from physician or specialist, but call a round and do research to find the best place near you who is experienced or good enough at what they do to create an excellent plan for accomplishing the physical therapy that would benefit your wife the best.
  • Stacyschim
    Stacyschim Posts: 24 Member
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    My mom has had MS for 40 years, has very limited mobility now, and says water aerobics has given her such freedom to move. It's an incredible feeling when she's so used to her body not doing what she wants it to. Along with a healthy diet, I think water is the way to go. Good luck to you both!
  • Stripeness
    Stripeness Posts: 511 Member
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    Have her ask her doc to test her RMR (Resting Metabolism Rate). With medical issues already in play, it doesn't make sense to use the online calculators. That gives her the real number she'll need to work with.

    As others suggested, have her set up an account here. To start, just log what she's doing now: food and exercise. That way you can make changes based on facts.

    Exercise - agree w/others. Water is great. Otoh, if she can do weight-bearing exercises, that's super, too. Also, a heartrate monitor could be useful, as the effort she puts in may be greater on "bad" days. The key thing is to find things that work for her, and that might be different activities at different times. It's not just about calorie burn, but about keeping your strength, flexibility, and mobility as high as possible for as long as possible.

    Stay positive! There will be good days and bad days. You do what you can, and feel good about it :-) Best wishes to you both.
  • Z_I_L_L_A
    Z_I_L_L_A Posts: 2,399 Member
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    Swimming my brotha...
  • Cayjominara
    Cayjominara Posts: 270 Member
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    We're going to try the water / swimming route. We both love being in the pool, so why not? Thanks for all the tips, peeps! That's why I love MFP!

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