OS ways and Poor Health

Toomuchdebt

I'm ok-I've managed to do the cat litter today and hoover the corridor where the cats have kicked all the litter. But that's it. I'm in so much pain today I haven't even washed up and the meat is still in the freezer because I can't bend down to get it out

Larumbelle

Greetings all :wave:

Well after a rough few days, I m having a slightly brighter one today I have changed support worker, just had a meeting with the new lady and she seems to be fantastic! And not a mention of my cooking arrangements She helped me to apply for PIPs, which I have needed to do for some time but hadn't plucked up the courage to do. And we chatted about what help I needed and it was honestly like talking to an old friend. She understands a lot without making assumptions. So I am feeling a bit brighter again

I definitely need some of those bags! I will have a 'good' day, get some shopping, then not be able to use everything up because I have too many 'bad' days where I can't use everything up, then I feel even worse because of the waste. Or, I end up using frozen/tinned rather than risk the waste. I had seen the Lakeland bags but wasn't sure that they could really work that well, so thanks for the recommendation! Grunnie, which £1 shop sells them? I would prefer to try some cheaper ones, if only at first LOL

CHIN UP. TITUS OUT. I love this so much, I think I need to give this a space in my journal :rotfl:

LameWolf

Mr LW and I have just come in from picking blackberries. So that's the 4th plastic box full gone into the freezer.:T I just pick what I can reach from the seat of the mobility buggy.
We saw my little Cavalier King Charles friends Lily and Honey, and Cockapoo Amber while we were out, so my dog withdrawal symptoms have been addressed, too.

Pain-gone vibes for all who need them today.

Gotta dash - slightly more complicated dins tonight: Qu0rn fillets in white wine sauce and roasted spuds and 'snips (got a big bowl of parsnips for £1 on the market earlier today) so I need to get started with that as I'll have to build some rest periods into the preparation time.:o

Nomoonatall

Hi anyone!

Not been well for the last couple of days....dizzy spells by the dozen!

Thankfully, I've stocked up on emergency food! Reminds me of when a 'kindly' brother first found out I had Meniere's. I was having a particularly bad spell..he bought me white chocolate...which I hate and a bunch of roses...which I'm allergic to! Bless him!

Hope everyone is doing well x

CurlyTop

Hi

I subscribe to this thread and have from the beginning, although I'll be honest I tend to lurk, mainly because reading is all I have the energy to do but got up handy this morning as I couldn't sleep, so thought I would just drop a few lines.

I too have m.e. and fibromyalgia diagnosed 10 years ago, now. I hate taking tablets unless I have to and over the years have seen the medication become stronger for when I'm having a lesser than bright day. I've worked four days per week for the last few years when I dropped a day due to the tiredness. This last week or so, I've made the decision to drop another day for a few months to see how I feel, as this last year has seen me struggle greatly. People mean well in work but if I had a pound for the amount of times I've been asked have I hurt my leg/ back and how tired I look, I could safely retire now. Luckily I work for a good employer that helps those with disabilities and my manager is very supportive. I will cut my cloth accordingly. Luckily DH and I don't lead an affluent lifestyle so we should be okay provided my foggy brain hasn't messed the numbers up.

Still, it doesn't help when you get so frustrated and fed up with the situation. When you remember how you used to have tons of energy and could fits tons of stuff into the day, and then some. I have my moments a couple of times a year, where I sit and feel a bit sorry for myself and cry. I look at it as 'better out than in' and once I've shed a few tears, I'm okay until the next time.

Things I've found that have helped me have been:

Changed from having carpets in every room to now having laminate floors .... much easier to clean. Quick swiff once a week and then a wet swiff once a fortnight for the upstairs. Downstairs is wet swiffed twice a week (would be less except I made the mistake of choosing darker laminate downstairs and you can see every mark ... aaaagh).

Food planning .... I do this for the month and ensure I have the main bulk of food stuffs in stock. I don't stick to the list rigidly because I may not fancy shepherds pie on a Monday for instance, but as long as I have say, eggs in, those omelettes I was gonna have Friday will do.

I do an online shop every 6-8 weeks and then top up. I don't drive and am on the bus or train when I go out or I walk (translate to mean hobble). I take a shopping trolley with me .... very retro and so the 'in' thing don't ya know. I've had mine for years, infact I'm on the look out for another one (my soon to be 3rd one) as I've worn the thread on the wheels down. Ha ha who'd have thought you could do that.

When I'm at work, I tend to 'cook' easy things that can be whipped up in half hour tops from start to finish. Yep, even if it means fish fingers, chips and beans. The days I don't work, the cooking can take a little longer but once again, I use things like frozen chopped onions (better for my ibs than fresh for some reason), frozen peppers. I blanch some veg when its on the Aldi Super 6, such as carrots and that lasts me a while. Admittedly I chop the carrots over time as I find standing and holding the knife too long, does tend to hurt my limbs.

I have a fairly minimalist house (translate to mean, less things to dust). This means that, as there are only the two of us in the house which is a little modern two up, two down, I can clean it once a week from top to bottom. I'm nowhere near as thorough as I used to be in flicking a duster. No pulling stuff out and cleaning behind it. Weekly clean of stuff visitors (if and when we have any) could see. Out of sight, out of mind.

Pain wise, I use epsom salts for a bath (cheaper in Home Bargains) than Amazon and its the same pack. I also find some relief from arnica gel. Last night was a bad night and I took 4 tablets within about 3 hours. THat's probably why I couldn't sleep and was having a horrible dream. Not like I sleep well any other time but at least dreams don't tend to wake me.

I've been so surprised at the amount of us with chronic pains and problems with m.e. and fibromyalgia on here. I don't remember hearing it talked about when I was growing up. Then again neither were things like Aspergers. When I was little, my mum was told my brother was 'backward'. Not a nice turn of phrase at all for the aspergers he has.

It's a good community on here and so supportive of each other. I just wanted to thank you all for your posts which I read daily. You're all inspirational. Anyway, long post for a first time on this thread. Long may it reign

grunnie

Larumbelle - I think it is poundland. It's in the buildings that used to be woolworths.
I am going to try knitting again as I found a pattern in JL for a snood that I want. Will let you know how I get on. Big needles and fat wool.I used to knit a lot and it was my way of relaxing till my hands got too sore. I gave up my dishwasher recently and am finding handwashing the dishes help my joints. Will see how that lasts.

LameWolf

CurlyTop welcome! I'm glad you felt up to posting, good to get to know you.:o

Yes, I agree about being frustrated thinking about what you used to be able to do - I dropped a screw (don't ask!) last night, which meant I was on my hands and knees looking for it under the dresser - and saw all the cobwebs and grot under there (this to be addressed in a little while).
Which got me to thinking how I used to have ALL the furniture out from the wall, once a year, every year, and clean behind and under it. I just can't do it any more.

Also, like you, I food-plan, with the option of swapping meals around; but we don't do a big shop at all, just lots of little ones. But we have a car, and Mr LW is around the whole time since he retired, so that works for us.

I think in years gone by there wasn't the knowledge, even among the medical profession, of all the different things autistic spectrum can cover; you didn't even here the phrase "autistic spectrum" it was just "autism" and it was thought only boys could have it! I do agree, "backward" isn't a nice turn of phrase.

Anyways, welcome aboard, and do keep posting when you're able.;)

I've just kicked Mr LW off the pc to mow the lawn - he'd long since finished doing his emails and reading the news, and was onto some drivel about what sweets are in a tin of Qu@lity St compared to the 1950's. :huh:
So he's been sent to do something useful.;)

What he doesn't know is when he's done the lawn, he's going to be assisting with cleaning under the dressers and cupboards. *evil grin*

Hope everyone's having a good, pain-free day today.:o

Anoneemoose

Hi everyone! Still catching up but have had an exhausted day, and as such, have eaten rubbish, which in turn makes me feel worse.

I am plodding my way through the whole thread, but does anyone have any tips about quick, nutritious meals. I am not keep on homemade soups, but don't mind tinned or cartons. I know it's not exactly MSE, but at least it's better than a takeaway!

I hope everyone is as well as they can be. X

westcoastscot

Hi guys, nice to see so many supportive posts. I've been reading along but not much to contribute this week - work has been busy and I often find that's all i've got the energy for in a week. I only have 3 days next week though, as due some TOIL, so that will give me a wee break.

Katkin, I work 4 short days a week 20 hours total, and even though I miss the money of working more I really struggle to do more hours. I've adjusted down (again) and stepped up my OS ways and am managing fine. With working 4 days I have a day's rest on the 5th day, then 2 days to prep food, housework, etc before working again. I try and only do work and fun stuff on work days where possible.

I love those green bags, been on the same set for years now and they still work fine.

Tink_04

Nomoonatall- I have meniers disease as well as MS and it's a horrible thing to live with! The dizziness and throwing up absolutely floor me!

Today I have been like super woman but I'm sat tonight thinking it may have been too much! Good job we have a freezer casserole (made in good days and frozen) and micro rice to go with it - I try and make something for the freezer every week so always have something in - it's easier on a good day to just double cook and freeze one - even easier to use the SC!