Motivating myself to get active after an MS relapse

The relapse left me with left-sided weakness. I wasn’t able to walk properly, and I also lost mobility in my arm. It was a really difficult time for me.

Getting support with walking and moving

I got referred to neuro-rehab but I had to wait for the appointments. So until then, I kept walking to help get mobility back in my left leg. And doing repetitive movements with my hand - I used my right hand to support the left hand to hold things.

Once I got my neuro rehab appointment, they checked how I was walking. The neuro physio said my hip was impacted, and I needed to learn how to walk in the correct way. The physio gave me some things to think about when I was walking, to make sure I was walking how I should, even when I was using a stick. She said to be kind to myself, and complete the exercises they gave me to continue with my recovery.

I also got referred for gym physio. The physio supported me to do some light exercises, as I’d lost confidence in my body. She wanted to get me to a point where I didn’t have to depend on using a stick, and had regained some confidence in walking again. It was very hard trusting in my body again after the relapse.

An occupational therapist (OT) at neuro rehab gave me some advice to do with the motor skills in my hand. I had regained more strength in my left arm by then. But I continued doing some finger exercises in a booklet neuro rehab gave to me.

The impact of the relapse

After this relapse I was very focused on getting better, I was scared I’d never be able to walk again. Sometimes I’d wake up and feel I was back to zero again. It took about a month before I noticed a difference, and was able to walk again. After four months things had improved.

But the emotional impact of the relapse was traumatising and devastating.

How I’ve kept active with MS

I feel like exercises do help me, whether I’m feeling my best or if I’m in recovery. It makes me feel more positive, relieves stress and gives me a focus. I can see the improvements when it’s working and putting me in a better position for my recovery.  

I like that I can see progress after a period of time, if I try and stay consistent with it. But you don’t have to do it five days a week, it could be one or two days. 

I’m not hard on myself if I miss a day. I pace myself out and note how I’m feeling. 

Unfortunately, I’ve got another medical issue at the moment so I’m not going to the gym so much. When I was able to go to the gym, I was doing resistance training with the gym equipment, and also doing some exercises at home. Things like calf raises, balancing and some stretches. I have found restorative yoga, where you do yoga using supportive equipment, to be helpful. 

When I’m feeling up to it, I try to do some light activities with my 10-year-old son. He likes basketball, golf, table tennis and cricket.

It’s a good motivation, as making him happy makes me happy, and I get a bit of exercise. So even when I’m not feeling up to it, I do push myself to try and do a little bit to be there for him like that.

When I’m not able to do the exercise

I try to be mindful and not overdo it – especially during recovery from a relapse. I make sure I pace myself, and prioritise rest and sleep, too.

If it’s not a day where I feel up to exercising, that’s OK. I just do it another day. The goalposts have changed, but it doesn’t mean that I’ve failed in my recovery at all.

I do my best not to be hard on myself. I just say for the moment this is the best thing for me, my body needs no strenuous exercises. Instead of doing that, I just need to do this instead. Another thing I’m mindful of – if I’m in pain, I won’t overdo it. I don’t work through the pain, which for me is a warning sign.

If I don’t feel good about going to the gym, I’ll go tomorrow or another day. And I do something that will make me feel happy or good - watch comedy or listen to music that picks me up.

Exercising on holiday

I went on a holiday with my family and I wanted to keep to my exercise routine while I was there, and maintain what I’d achieved. So, I went to the gym while I was on holiday and found an instructor there who had trained in physio. I was able to talk to them about what was going on with me medically. They supported me while I was in the gym, staying with me to ensure I felt OK and comfortable. That was very good for me.

I went on holiday with a friend and our children. I’m not a swimmer and I had hyper sensitivity which was a very difficult feeling getting into the pool – it stings and prickles me when I’m getting into the water. But once I’m actually in the pool, I do feel better and find it relaxing. On holiday we were in the pool every day – my friend came in with me so I knew there was someone who could help if I needed it.

Rebbecca’s top tips for exercise motivation

• Finding exercise I enjoy. There are many out there. I got ideas by talking it through with someone and brainstorming what to try – it can be motivating to try something new. I joined the MS Society’s Royal Ballet project in 2023. I didn’t know I could do ballet! But it worked.
• Adapt and get support. If I feel comfortable with it, I let people know what’s going on with me so they can adapt exercise to my needs. If there is a gym physio it's nice, if I’m able to access it, because they give me a plan. And I can do something that suits me. They think about my body and my needs, and they know a bit more of my back story with my health.
• Going with someone. This can help give me a bit of confidence.
• I get to know people who can support me. I find this helpful. For example my yoga teacher has known about me and known about my health for a long time.
• I think about how I get to a class. Say one of my classes is further away, I might get a bus there and a taxi back. Or I might have a bit of a walk there and then have a break before doing exercises.
• Looking on others as motivators. My son is a key motivation for me, he motivates me to keep going and do what I do. And I’ve looked on other people with MS and how they’ve handled it. And that has given me my own strength and motivation. At the ballet, I was surrounded by other people with MS, we’re going through all these things, but we could still do the ballet. It can be adapted, it can be done in the way each person needs for themselves.
• I do things in small increments. I have rest breaks and take it bit by bit. I’m not hard on myself because any little thing I did is a win and in the right direction.
• My playlist. If it’s just me doing exercise, I listen to music. I make a playlist or I’ll put on songs I enjoy just to keep me in the best of mood.
• Personal touches can help. Even little things like wearing an exercise outfit in my favorite colour can be a simple motivator. Mine is purple and I’ve got a purple yoga mat and bag, so it’s like a nice little treat that I can use them! I even have pink hand-held small weights to help strengthen my arms, and a purple exercise step too.
• Being my own coach. A big motivator for me is myself, my own self talk, and finding a way to do the same thing I’d have wanted to have done. But in a different way, with reasonable adjustments put into place.