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Managing the housework

Posted , 9 users are following.

IngeniumSingula
IngeniumSingula

Does anyone have any good tips for simplifying the housework?  I have no one to delegate to so it's a simple choice; do I have the energy or not to do any.  outside, I've gravelled over two flower boarders and am getting rid of any plant in a pot that doesn't look after itself, in order to reduce the work outside. 

1 like, 31 replies

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  • GeorgiaS
    GeorgiaS IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    I can't do any! I'm virtually bedridden, live alone, my house is like a tip and my garden's like jungle so I don't know why I'm replying. cheesygrin The little energy I have I use up in making sure I eat.

    Have you tried to get a carer? It's very difficult these days but it might be possible for you.

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG GeorgiaS

      Posted

      A possible approach is for an able bodied friend to undertake a discrete task to do in their time and to their own standards. Start small and with small expectations. Let the friend own their task from which they may resign at any time, but please to tell you when they do.

      Has any one tried such an idea? It is being alone and so without obvious resource that makes recovery from ME/CFS so very difficult  for those living alone as rest seems to be the foremost requirement.

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS georgeGG

      Posted

      Yes spot on George, how can we possibly get enough rest and relaxation when we have to worry about everything for ourselves.

      Have you read C.S. Lewis' 'Space Triligy'? The protagonist goes into space and has many adventures and battles, then before he becomes a transformed being full of healing light and helping people he has the most wonderful long healing sleep. I think of that often and wish I could have that.

  • littleme1969
    littleme1969 IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    I do everything myself and have done the entire 21 years of having this condition. I do what i can when i can. Prioritize ... whats important gets done first.. i.e. food and basic cleaning and personal hygiene.. I break it up into 30 min to an hour what ever i can manage.. set my self one extra task a day.. Things like cleaning the oven etc get done once in a flood.. haha.. As for outside.. yes keep things as simple and easy to look after as possible.. but dont go tat far that it now looks boring and uninviting so you end up thinking whats the point. Slow and steady wins the race. smile
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS littleme1969

      Posted

      We have this disease to varying degrees littleme. I can't possibly do what you can do but I can do more than a lady who lost the ability to move her hands and had to have someone with her when she went to the toilet to wipe her.

      The lady that runs the local ME group told me that and it gave me some perspective of the differences in physical abilities that we all have.

    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Yes GeorgiaS;   it has also brought me up (a lot more), to the difficulties of those with Paraplegia, Parkinsons, Muscular Dystropy etc.....there are soooo many illnesses in this world....where do we get enough "helpers", as these people who do/are helpers, are very caring people, who give up their capabilities/time to help others, for very little reward, other than that they get "that inner feeling of happiness" that comes from helping others....Bron
  • mary_24931
    mary_24931 IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    It's all about pacing and resting in between, something I'm not good at doing so I boom and bust all the time and never get as much done as I need to. 
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS mary_24931

      Posted

      Mary I've had ME for nearly 10 years and I still can't get my head around pacing! All I can do is what I can manage to do at the time and that's it. I sleep and rest most of the time and things like getting to the toilet and getting something to eat are it.

      How do I pace necesseties; I just do them when I have to do them.

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS mary_24931

      Posted

      Forgot to say I read a report the other day saying that the medical profession is now saying that graded exercise, pacing and CBT are no longer considered to be useful for ME patients.

      I could've told them that years ago! cool

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG GeorgiaS

      Posted

      In what country or planet? Complaints about medics speaking loftily about the sufferer's lack of hard evidence  are still  rife. These same intellectual giants are silent on the hard evidence that supports their prejudice.
  • IngeniumSingula
    IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    Georgia, you do make me laugh.  I don't feel so bad now!  I've found that if if I don't put my glasses on, I don't see the dust!  I try to do 15 minuit efforts.  As for oven cleaning, I did that once, even unscrewed the glass panel on the door... now I pretend it's a smoked glass door.
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS IngeniumSingula

      Posted

      Ha ha a brilliant way to get a smoked glass door. lol

      I found a way to not have to clean my oven. Put a bowl of water at the bottom and the oven steam cleans itself when you cook in it and the food gets partially steamed too.

      Just make sure it's pyrex or something oven proof. cheesygrin

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG

      Posted

      Sorry iPad was being helpful.

      Brilliant Georgia.

  • sally_14743
    sally_14743 IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    If you are on benefit you can apply for items that are necessary for your illness. Either via a grant or loan.. Social fund ..

    dish washer ...fantastic..

    microwave ..

    tumble drier 

    ring adult social services ask to be accessed as u can't cope with looking after yourself. A social worker will be assigned to assess your needs . You then are allocated money to hire someone as a personal assistant to shop, tidy house , prepare meals , etc if u are really bad to shower and dress ...

    when u worked you Paisley national insurance ...insurance to cover you for illness ...its out there ring up ..and get the help you deserve ..

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS sally_14743

      Posted

      Great advice Sally but microwaves aren't a great idea, especially for sick people who need nutritious food rather than nuked food.
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