randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i am sitting exhausted, dripping sweat. all i did was clean my refrigerator. since i'll be leaving i wanted it done.
i can normally do my entire house on the weekends, including laundry, grocery shopping and all, but i do it in short nips then sit down and rest. mopping is what really gets me tired.
our house is only 1600 square feet but it seems huge because i do it all. he is not going to help.
my refrig is a large side by side. i didn't do the freezer, only the frig. had the trash can handy for throwing stuff out, which i filled. it's just time consuming.
also the smell of the lysol is pretty strong but i like a good detergent.
but i'm pooped. i normally clean it every couple of months but it's getting harder and harder so i do a little every day.
the laundry is not bad, throw in a load and sit down, but it's the hard stuff and the vacuum tears up my neck.
getting old is no fun and having lyme, yuck.
any cleaning tips? how often can you do it?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
I have a 3 bedroom apartment... and its a mess. Just doing the dishes is a struggle.
I have to put the dishes away from the dishwasher, and then tend to stack up soak a few dishes... then take a break..
Then I go back and load the dishwasher.
For me, the bending to pick things up off the floor is the hardest... and I have two kids..
Vaccuuming is difficult...
My daughter (almost 6) likes to help clean the bathroom. which is a godsend. But, she is noise sensitive... so vacuuming is out for her.
I am working on getting my kids to do more... but its just a new adjustment for us all. They are use to me doing everything... And I can no longer do much...
So the house is a mess... and we are trying to figure things out... Kids are having to learn to do more. (single mom)
As my treatment continues.... I am starting to think that I have POTS, so things are getting interesting...lol.
I can't do the whole place in a day. It's not possible for me.
I have still managed to get out of the house and have a babysitter over about twice a month... and most of the time on those occurances, they clean for me as well.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Laura, I finally broke down and got one of those tools for picking things up off of the floor.
No tips here on cleaning except what you have all ready learned.
It really gets to me most of the time. Other times, it doesn't bother me as far as having to let things go.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
kam, thats a good idea about the pick up tool. thanks.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I only do a few chores a day. And some days I don't do anything. I keep thinking I am close to remission, but I am still struggling to keep up. I am soooo out of shape. Its like I am 90 years old.
Today I did 1 load of laundry, dusted and cleaned one bathroom. Thats a full day for me.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Laundry then dusted and cleaned a bathroom? I'm lucky to get that done in a weekend much less one day. Our house is a disaster. I just pray every day that someone doesn't stop by or that, god forbid, a neighbor doesn't expect an invite in the house. It's so embarassing!
-------------------- IgM: [18++,31+++,34++,41++,83-93+] [39 IND] IgG: [41 IND] Positive according to IGeneX. Negative according to CDC. Negative for co-infections. Currently treating for Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia Posts: 225 | From Minnesota | Registered: May 2011
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What's that? LOL. Only the absolute have to's get done at my place... unfortunately.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Well......the truth is, I haven't dusted in about a month, maybe more.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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phyl6648
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28522
posted
I manage to keep things picked up and the laundry. As far as the heavy duty cleaning I can't manage anymore. Dusting is the part I can't seem to do can't tolerate polish or any cleaning products due to MCS so what little I manage to clean doesn't look or smell clean. Any suggestions for the furniture that is natural.. I have been using a little dish detergent and water when I am able to dust. Oh, I see so much that needs to be cleaned and done. Then there are days I can't do a thing.
Posts: 1058 | From VA | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I have 10 rooms & 2 bathrooms on 3 floors. I try to keep the main floor basically picked up, but some days I can only do a few things like the dishes or a load of laundry and some days I can do nothing. Before I got sick I would clean like 4 hours a day, every day. I was a little fanatical to say the least, now I have mostly accepted my limitations and just try not to see the messiness.
The kids don't see the mess and apparently their friends don't either because I usually have a housefull of them. My house is dusty and messy, not dirty and in the grand scheme of things it's low on my priority list. I'd rather use what energy I have to hang out with my kids and enjoy them, that's high on my priority list.
-------------------- Down on her knees, she wept on the floor. This hopeless life, she wanted no more. Dead in the mind and cold to the bone, She opened her eyes and saw she was alone. ~Seether Posts: 427 | From Rhode Island | Registered: May 2011
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posted
Not much. At least not what I WANT to do!! I need help right now with my floors. They need to be cleaned and waxed.
I can do laundry and clean my kitchen without too much pain or agony. Bathroom sinks and counters get done, but the bathtub is another story. Thankfully, that shower spray works really well! Then I use Scrubbing Bubbles when I have to actually clean it. Does the work for you.
phlyl.. buy a microfiber cloth for dusting. I never use Pledge or anything else. Or I vacuum where it needs to be dusted. That is the best way. Just a little more difficult if you have carpal tunnel!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Today Rene from lymenet was coming to my house. I cleaned my grandsons fingerprints off the glass coffee table. I hate glass. They are for sale.
I then dusted my rife machine in my bedroom because she's had questions about my machine for 2 yrs.
My ceramic tiled floors were dusty...I called her and told her the floors would be staying as is. I didn't feel like doing anymore for her.
I figured if anyone understood it was a lyme friend. I told myself I wasn't going to take her upstairs to the part of condo that my daughter and 2 grandsons sleep in.
What the heck....it's my daughter's mess and not the children's mess. She missed my lessons in using a clothes hamper and organization 101.
My grandsons could do a better job if I asked them to keep it clean. In fact yesterday my 10 yr old was suppose to do chores downstairs for me including dusting the hard floors.
We went to pool instead of working.
So it's according to how I feel today. I try to do something each day. Wash a load of clothes, dry and hang and fold.
I can watch dust accumilate with the best of them. It depends. I get more stuff done after a detox bath because I'm not in pain(with morning pain meds in place) and I'm trying to detox as much as possible.
I love my Swiffer floor dusters. I love my Swiffer duster with long handle too. I hate my vacuum cleaner on carpet or hard surface floors.
It hurts me and drains my energy.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
My house is a mess compared to how I used to keep it! i'm a bit of a neat freak and used to vacuum and dust everyday. But I just don't have it in me anymore to do so. We have 3 stories plus the basement and it has become too hard to keep up.
My hubby and son are slobs. My son leaves a trail throughout the house. I try to get them to pick up after themselves but gave up! It takes too much energy to care anymore. My MIL helps me with laundry on the days she babysits my son.
I do clean the kitchen and the bathrooms routinely. the rest of the house? Not so much. Work takes a lot out of me and I'm hoping that things die down soon in that department! Cooking dinner every night I'm home also takes a lot out of me! My kitchen is usually a disaster but that is the one area my hubby has been wonderful with! He cleans up after we eat.
I had actually planned on cleaning today but I haven't really gotten out of bed! A little bummed about it but my health is more important and I think my body is just telling me to slow down.
I invested in a steam cleaner for the kitchen and non carpeted floors. I love it! It is a shark vac steam mop. Makes cleaning the floors much easier plus no harsh chemicals. I'm not sensitive to the chemicals but was worried about the effect of them with my cat.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
For cleaning I take amphetamine prescribed by my family doc. My lyme doc is aware of this. I Have a Hoover Spin scrub to clean the floors. Most all of my house is ceramic tile so this helps a lot. I have a roomba vacuum this helps most of the time. I also use a Rigid 5.5 horse power shop vac as it sucks up the dirt from a ways away. I put a HEPA filter in it and have two hoses so I can park the huge vaccum, clean a large area them move to the next. I use a pressure washer when possible to clean the shower. I pull the glass shower doors put them on milk crates on the patio. Spray them with one of those no scrub tub cleaners. Then blast the crap out of them. I put the doors back on the shower. Spay the shower stall with the cleaner them blast the tile. If you do this be very carfull as the high pressure from the washer will take the tile off the wall and will tear up the fiber glass shower stalls. When I lived in an apartment I would clean the shower and WAX the fiber glass shower stall with car wax. This makes the dirt and soap not stick to the walls. Use caution on the shower floor as the wax can make it very slippery and dangerous. A leaf blower is great for dusitng. I have an evap cooler and turn it on high take out the window screen open it up and use the blower to blow the crap out he window. My sig other was not very happy with this.
Posts: 13 | From Mesa AZ | Registered: Nov 2009
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momindeep
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7618
posted
lymeinmesa...holy moly...when you clean, you really clean!
Posts: 1512 | From Glenwood City WI | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Lately not too much since I've been feeling so crappy. The house is clean enough though, Just hubby and I so how bad can it get?
I did notice one thing since moving out to AZ. The dust is crazy here!!! We have tile floors and sometimes I feel like I should just throw some peanuts on the floor. This way everyone will think the dust is all a part of the wild west saloon decorating scheme!
Note to self: Buy peanuts tomorrow
I do use vinegar and water as a household cleanser. Cheap, non-toxic, works great, smell goes away quickly
Posts: 140 | From Phoenix AZ | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
Wow, reading all of your comments makes me feel even more certain that Lyme disease is what is ailing me.
I haven't done a a real chore in almost six weeks? Maybe more? Hard to recall, exactly. I somehow manage to drag my butt outside before sunset to water the veggies and I might have loaded the dishwasher once (it was like, five dirty dishes, though).
On most days I sit here on the couch and hope the baby doesn't discover something unsafe that I'd have to JUMP UP and try and get from him before he gets hurt, because I can't JUMP UP anymore and I certainly can't move quickly enough to stop anything from happening.
It's pretty much a constant state of exhaustion, even when I haven't done anything to exert myself. Standing up for five minutes to microwave some food is too hard sometimes so I just don't bother eating.
Thank goodness for my fiance, who somehow manages to take care of EVERYTHING around the house.
Posts: 156 | From Virginia | Registered: May 2011
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posted
When my kids were little, like 3 and 4, I had to move all their snacks to a cabinet under the counter so they could reach them if they got hungry. I also put drinks on the bottom shelf of the fridge so they could help themselves. And so began my "mom guilt"...
I have a prob getting my kids to help around the house too, any ideas? They are now 13 and 14....
-------------------- Down on her knees, she wept on the floor. This hopeless life, she wanted no more. Dead in the mind and cold to the bone, She opened her eyes and saw she was alone. ~Seether Posts: 427 | From Rhode Island | Registered: May 2011
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payne
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26248
posted
i am a freak about cleaning, good grief... vacuuming is the worse.. i can't seem to do one room a day, gotta do them all at once.. (: and then i sit and stare for the next spot of anything..
i dropped the ball a few months back and won't let that happen again.. i clean well behind myself its others that arent sick and come over and destory my home.. Lyme Rage Cleaning..
-------------------- TULAREMIA/rabbit fever ? Posts: 1931 | From mid-michigan | Registered: Jun 2010
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Funny you posted this because I am taking a break from the cleaning and yard work. I do a little and then have to sit down and rest - that is when I get online.
This morning I weeded part of the garden and turned the water on to sprinkle. I also fed horses - turned them in and out to feed themselves actually. Later I will have to feed them their supplements. It is summer so there is not much poop in the barn to deal with and my son or husband will do that for me. I am just too tired. I SHOULD ride. The horses don't give a hoot if I do. Will I or won't I. . . .
A friend is coming over tomorrow so I need to clean the bathroom and vacuum - figure out a simple dinner menu. I did a little bit, will do a bit more. What I hate the most is the kitchen - just never stays clean. Cleaning a refrigerator reminds me of the mess mine is in. Just throw it all out I guess.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Wow, you guys are amazing! I haven't been able to manage ANY household chores in years, except when I absolutely have to. ANd even then it's really not much and infrequent. My poor hubby has to do a lot of it, in addition to earning the bulk of the $$. But a lot of cleaning, etc. just goes undone for way too long.
Neither of us likes it this way, but the only other way is to hire someone, which I should do. But $$ is a problem, plus ti takes energy to hire and oversee someone, and to clear up so they can clean! It's bad. I do need to hire someone for every other week though.
Oh, and I have to do what someone else said, take a dose of an amphetamine or a LOT of caffeine and/or other stimulants to do any of it---not good! Non-Lymies have no idea . . .
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
i am doing well if I am able to get the dishes out of the DW or in the DW for 5 or 10 min once a week.
A load of laundry in averaging one load every 2 weeks. Being able to put that laundry away....rare
If I had a washer and dryer unit in the apartment it would make laundry more do able.
Vacuuming, mopping kitchen floor, cleaning up in kitchen, making hard boiled eggs is done by household help from the county
She comes for one hour once a week. Trying to get more help now....
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
recently i have not cleaned crap been in bed the since friday ... the dishes got to stink so got to them. also washed my pillows.. oh what a fresh feeling..
Posts: 13 | From Mesa AZ | Registered: Nov 2009
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Bathroom sinks and counters get done, but the bathtub is another story. Thankfully, that shower spray works really well! Then I use Scrubbing Bubbles when I have to actually clean it. Does the work for you. 
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