Tips and Tricks for Making Life a Little Easier with MS: How to Dress for Success when you Have MS

I use a device that helps me put my socks on, and I have a long handled shoe horn for my shoes because my spine condition makes it difficult for me to bend at the waist. I have a grabber that I use to get my shoes from the closet or pick up anything I drop while dressing, which on some days can be a lot.

I guess the one general piece of advice I would give someone is to think about what clothes you are buying and what it takes to put them on and off, and to plan out your actual dressing ritual so you have all you need by you, use whatever assistive devices you can, and to wear the clothes in which you are most comfortable. I would also suggest that if energy is a problem that a person try to limit the number of times a day she changes clothes. 

One other thought, many of us with MS suffer from bladder leakage or incontinence, which can impact either the type of clothing we wear or how often we change.  In this case I would strongly suggest that a person obtain the underwear designed to absorb the wetness, my preference is the kind that has built in padding rather than having to wear the disposable pads all the time, but then I do have to change more often when I am having a problem.  Fortunately my problem in this area is not constant but  seems to come and go on some yet to be determined schedule.  

For over twenty years I worked in an executive position and wore great skirt or pant suits and dresses, usually with pumps or boots, depending on the season.  I miss being able to show my legs a little and feeling like I look pretty, at least pretty for me.  Because of my lymphedema and chronic cellulitis my legs have become all discolored and are a deep purple as high up as the knee, plus they are often quite swollen, which determines what shoes I wear.  Although I dress more functional now, and hardly ever wear a skirt, I try to accessorize what I am wearing so I can still feel a feminine.  I can't hold my arms up to dry and style my hair so I have a cut that falls nicely into layers with just a few hot curlers on top after it dries.  I have to wear low, sturdy shoes so I looked on the Internet until I found some fashionable, yet reasonably priced flats. A little make-up, a nice pin, and a colorful scarf can do a lot to perk up an outfit without costing a lot.  I am saying this last part because I believe that if I feel that I look okay it helps me feel better emotionally, but if I look all worn down and tired I will feel bad about my self and my situation.  

Trust me I am not a fashionplate and I don't always take my own advice, but I do believe it is true.  Many years ago my secretary told me that she had figured out that on the days I was dressed a little nicer, wore a little extra makeup or my hair was styled a little nicer were usually the days I was in the most pain.  I laughed and told her she was right, looking a little nicer than usual helped me get through the day and prevented everyone from asking me how I was feeling and if everything was all right."