Im only 19 and was only recentley diagnosed 1week ago and I really havent a clue whats going on and what I should and shouldnt be doing, I was wondering is going to the gym 2hrs a day everyday a bad idea? Just I feel really weak in my right arm and leg so feel like I really need to get strong but everyones worried about me " over doing it " I dont know a soul with MS so thought someone on here could have any usefull advise??
Karl
hi karl
good idea to go to the gym but don’t overdo it please.
you will know if you have done enough.
i don’t know how the fatigue affects you because you are way younger than me! (i really mean way younger)
just dont let the fatigue get you from overdoing it.
i have been told by a really good physio at the ms therapy centre that i go to, that if i want to avoid a wheelchair i should build my strength. ms really does seem to lead to muscle wastage so i try my best but can only manage 30-45 minutes.
i told my trainer at the gym that i have ms. he had never met anyone with it before so he read up on it.
since i joined there have been 2 more msers join.
the trainers help me to adjust my program whenever i need to.
pilates is excellent for ms and is used by premiership footballers because it builds core strength.
so to recap:- YES go to the gym but 2 hours sounds a bit punishing.
good luck
carole x
Hi Karl, I totally agree with Carole, I’ve just started going as I was told that in my right leg which is the worst and in my buttocks there was muscle wasting, now I didn’t like that one bit, now I only go for the swimming, I’ve always enjoyed swimming and it’s an over all body excerise, so for me this is ideal, but you do have to watch what you are doing, I still think I can do 50 lengths, well I can’t, my fatigue goes right up, but also my right leg and arm let me know when I’ve done enough, so the bottom line is, go and enjoy, but listen to your body, also when you go home have a rest to recharge, but go for it, good luck, Jean x
totally agree with carole and jean,do the excercise,but do listen to your body,and dont over do it,because that will do more harm
than good, i do pilates excercises.i cant do many but do them every day,even if i cant get out of bed, i do them in bed,my neuro physio taught me how to do them.
jaki xx
I was diagnosed at the age of 24, I’m now 32. When I was 24 and diagnosed I did not go to the gym however diagnosis made me think long and hard about being stronger and my GP said the stronger I was the better my body would fight this disease and relapses. I went on a diet and joined a gym and a yoga class. I would run a lot too. But the trick is to listen to your body and don’t overdo it. It has a great way of telling you. I think two hours a day may be too much really, however like I said your body will tell you and maybe reduce it, go daily by all means but you don’t need a length of time just do what you feel you can do hun. Of late I can’t do what I used to do but think this is partly because since having my little boy apx 3years ago I don’t get as much time to exercise. However I do my physio exercises at home and some yoga as well as going to classes regularly. I am intending on trying to improve my cardio if not just on the exercise bike and treadmill. I am determined although frustrated at times to improve my left leg…it’s being very naughty right now 
Best of luck Hun and keep positive…hard to do at times but we have to fight back. X x x
Sorry I am a lazy B and haven’t ever been to a gym.
I do try to walk each day though. I really came on to welcome you and to address the newbie side of things.
Getting your dx will of been a shock especially if it came as a bolt out of the blue.
Ms is a disease that you have to become your own expert in,as how it presents will be totally unique to you.
I would suggest initially that you download the ms booklets which will give you a valuable insight into ms BUT remember they have to cover all eventualitites.You will not get everything thats in there.
In your research stick to ms society/trust.There are real crackpots out there,and all you need is in the society/trust info.
Have you been allocated a nurse as she will be a good source of help and advice? On here you will get the real people living with it responses,and no funny looks when you try to describe any really weird sensory changes etc.
Ms is with you now for life but there is no reason for it to stop you fulfilling any of your dreams,as someone on here says its speed humps not a stop sign.
Have you informed DVLA? If you drive you must tell them and your insurance. They can not increase your premiums which at 19 I assume are sky high anyway.
Take care
Pip
Thanks everyone 
Pip- No I dont drive I chose to get my own flat, but a question on driving someone told me I might be able to get mobility car, do you know anything about that?
Thanks again everyone keep all this in mind
Hi Karl I am not able to tell you anything about ms but I do know that to get a mobillity car you need to be getting higher rate DLA mobility component.
too true
Hiya.
If you have got any insurance policies check if you have got critical illness because if you do they pay out for ms.
I guess with your age though thats probably not relevant to you.
Has the neuro talked about disease modifying drugs( DMD ) yet ?
Pip
PS don’t forget if you go on the newly diagnosed section or the young peoples part you will find a whole host of people exactly where you are now.You can post on anywhere on this forum.
I tried an aqua aerobics class one morning with a friend a few months ago and at the end of the class I felt like I’d done 36 marathons in one day!!! My friend said that 20 minutes into the class she noticed a change in my face (I’m guessing it was the fatigue come to pay a visit) and asked whether I wanted to stop. Being a stubborn sort of person I said no but in hindsight I think I should have done - it took ages to actually get out of the pool, change and drive home!!! I spent the rest of the day asleep on my sofa. That was the end of the aqua aerobics classes for me and I presumed I wouldn’t be able to do any form of exercise if that’s how I would feel after each work out.
I was officially dx’d with RRMS after numerous tests and investigations in December 2012 and since then my main symptom has been chronic fatigue. When it hits it’s absolutely dibilitating, so after spending 2 full days in bed recently where I was unable to get up due to it I decided to visit my GP and ask her for some advice.
I’d heard about a referral scheme at my local leisure centre and mentioned if my GP thought it would be a good idea. Her reply was “of course - but don’t overdo it”. She completed the referral form for me and I took it to the leisure centre that afternoon. I am now registered on their ‘Activate Health Scheme’ exercise referral initiative.
Trust me, I’m no gym bunny and could never understand why people would go to a gym, pay (sometimes extortionate amounts of) money just to look miserable during their work outs, but now I think there’s a valid reason for me being there and it’s to combat the demon that is chronic fatigue and help me feel more energised and alert. If anything just to stay awake when at work then it would be worth it.
I have an induction on 19th February where the instructor will go through my general health and wellbeing and what would be beneficial to me without overdoing it and hopefully reducing the effect chronic fatigue has on me.
Before that however I’m off for a week in the Tunisian sunshine to rest, relax and mentally prepare for actually walking into the gym on the 19th without running a mile - wish me luck!!! .
Will let you all know how it goes once I start
Take Care
Pen xx