Testimonials:  Multiple Sclerosis and Fatigue

"I was diagnosed in 1992 with multiple sclerosis and one of my biggest symptoms was and continued to be fatigue. I am married, have two children and work full-time as a Real Estate Paralegal. When I signed up last Fall for the National Multiple Sclerosis program ‘Fatigue: Take Control’, little did I know my life was going to change in so many ways. Each week we had a different topic and speakers. The week I met Donna Schneider, a Personal Trainer from First Health of Andover, my life has not been the same.

Donna’s discussion with our group was so informative and enthusiastic, that I immediately knew I had to go to First Health of Andover and meet with her. What I liked the most about Donna’s talk was the way she went about her program. She believes in strengthening within.

When we met, Donna began by getting all my background information, medical and personal, such as my day to day living. This gave her an idea of my situation. She learned that I was 49, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was also beginning menopause in addition to being fatigued. She had her hands full!

We began by doing two simple exercises that would begin to change my life immediately. With the scapular stability exercise that we started with, my fatigue at the end of the day was lessened and my posture was greatly improved. I actually grew an inch and a half just by my posture! Donna was also concerned about my blood pressure and wanted me to begin a cardiovascular program. She asked me just to walk, start with five – ten minutes. This actually was a challenge for me since I was fatigued and when was I going to find the time working full-time. I always had an excuse but Donna never gave up on me.

Each session we would talk about how I was doing and we would review the exercises she had given me and she would add a new routine to the previous week’s routine. Due to the MS I have a weaker side. Donna worked with me on this and we took that into consideration, although these days it is hard to tell the weak side. Each week I would get a new and harder variation of the week before. My family started to see the improvement. My walking improved so much that they couldn’t keep up with me at the airport! I felt stronger and was able to work at my job and not feel fatigued everyday.

As the weeks went on, Donna would go over the routine and ask how the cardio was going. I really had a tough time with this one, but she kept reminding me how important it was for my heart. After Donna's persistent and caring discussions, I am now doing 45 minutes of treadmill each morning.

Without the training that I have been getting from Donna Schneider of First Health of Andover, I would not be as strong as I am today."


Sincerely,

K.P., Methuen, MA