Oooo! They’re cheaper than they were when I got one! Got great reviews, so it’s not just me that thinks it’s great!
OMG, I LOVE that description xD It also intrigues me a bit, because I very often pick something up (and I don’t have any particular problem with lifting things, it’s randomly dropping stuff that’s my main hands issue) and can’t believe how heavy it feels. I got a jar of lemon curd out of the fridge and it felt like a brick, now what’s all that about! Is this the kind of thing that you’re talking about?
I don’t struggle with the physical mechanics of lifting, it’s just that what I’m lifting feels about 4 times heavier than it should, it’s bizarre!
Yeah - sadly I fear the true explanation is muscle weakness or muscle fatigue, but in practical terms, the effect is stuff feels a lot heavier, because the effort is disproportionate. I once picked up a bedspread - only a single one - from the dry cleaners just around the corner, and had trouble getting home with it. Should not really be a problem carrying a bedspread two minutes to my house, should it?
The washing out of the machine feels really heavy, because it’s wet as well, so you’ve got the weight of the water in it. Towels feel really heavy, because they hold so much water. I also find it a problem because the machine’s so low, so you’ve got to pick them up from floor level.
It is not 'til these things start getting difficult that you realise how much you took for granted when you were still well.
I was discussing this with a member of another forum (not health related) who has recently had a stroke. He said he never before appreciated the complexities of walking, and why it’s been such a challenge for the field of robotics. Something you do automatically, until you have a stroke or MS or something, and then it’s: “Duh! How does it go again?”
I couldn’t believe I had to think about something I’d been doing automatically for over 40 years!
Tina
Ah, that effort thing; like they say it can take up to 5 times as much effort for a person with MS to do something, as it does for an able-bodied person, hence the fatigue. That makes a whole lot of sense actually. I too find that bedding likes to pretend that it’s made from lead. Pulling the duvet further up the bed feeling like there’s someone sitting on it!
Do you ever find that if you do start doing something automatically - because you’ve not really realised what the relevant body part/s are doing - that when you focus and pay attention you get confused or do it wrong? I find this, it’s like my hands knew what they were doing, but once my brain weighed in everything went to pot!
You have probably had these suggested before, but a mail arrived from Complete Care Shop today and seemed topical.
"This week we are featuring our Kitchen Aids department as we have introduced a lovely new product - a lightweight kettle with it’s own tipper in a stylish combination. It is selling really well in Europe and we think it will also be popular in the UK as it takes the weight out of pouring a cuppa. "
Electric hotwater bottles take 15 mins to fully charge and stay warm up to six hours. I’ve not tried one but the idea sounds interesting.
Thank you - your link goes to a “page no longer available”, so I don’t know if the product’s been withdrawn, but it does have a further link to their general range of kettle-tippers, which is more extensive than others I’ve seen.
I still wonder if approaching the problem from the opposite end - supporting the hot water bottle (as suggested by Jellysundae) - is the key.
As I am OK with the kettle generally - i.e. for tea for one, or even two. It’s only for tasks that need a full kettle that there begins to be a problem. At the moment, filling the hot water bottle is the only such thing I can think of.
Yesterday, within seconds of tearing up an empty washing powder carton, I realised it might have been the ideal thing to stand the hot water bottle in, so I could pour from the kettle two-handed.
There will be future washing powder cartons, so I’ll have to remember to experiment, the next time - with cold water first of course. If it does the job no problem, sorted! With no expense (except the washing powder I need anyway), and a bit of lateral thinking!
Tina