Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
How to get out of bed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Step-by-step guides for getting out of bed when you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Practical methods from real bed mobility guides.
Quick answer
With MS or neurological weakness, muscles fatigue quickly and can spasm if you push too hard. Using gentle momentum, good body positioning, and low-friction tools like the Snoozle Slide Sheet lets you slide and turn with less force. Start from your strongest side, bend your knees, and use small rocking motions instead of big, effortful pushes.
Key steps
- 1.Move in small, controlled segments (shoulders, then hips, then legs) instead of trying to roll or sit up in one big effort.
- 2.Use your stronger arm and leg for power and let your weaker side follow mainly for balance.
- 3.Slide rather than lift: the Snoozle Slide Sheet reduces friction so your body can glide over the mattress with less effort.
- 4.Shuffle closer to the bed edge while lying on your side before attempting to bring your legs over and sit up.
- 5.Lean forwards and use your arms for support when moving into sitting and standing to reduce the risk of losing balance.
- 6.Avoid dangling or uncontrolled movements off the bed; always keep a stable base of support under you.
- 7.Seek professional advice if movements remain very difficult, painful, or unsafe despite using these strategies.
- 8.Night-time freezing in Parkinson’s makes it hard to start and continue movements, especially when turning or getting out of bed.
Icelandic-designed · Sold in pharmacies
Snoozle Slide Sheet
A home-use slide sheet that reduces mattress friction so you can reposition sideways instead of lifting. Made from comfortable fabric (not nylon), with no handles. Designed for you, not for a caregiver.
- ✓Less friction when turning: less effort, less pain
- ✓Comfortable fabric you can sleep on all night
- ✓Handle-free — quiet, independent, self-use
Trusted by Vörður insurance for pregnant policyholders. Recommended by Icelandic midwives and physiotherapists.
In-depth guides
Sleep Comfort
How to Safely Get Out of Bed with MS and Neurological Weakness Using Snoozle Slide Sheet
People living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often struggle with impaired balance, spasticity, and muscle weakness that make simple movements in bed—like turning or sitting up—hard and sometimes risky. This guide explains what typically goes wrong, then gives clear, step-by-step instructions for turning, sitting up, and getting out of bed more safely. It also shows how a low-friction Snoozle Slide Sheet can reduce effort, protect your skin, and help you move with less pain and fatigue. All strategies are designed for safe, in-bed repositioning at home, not for lifting or transferring between surfaces.
Sleep Comfort
How to Overcome Night-Time Freezing in Parkinson’s: Practical Bed Mobility Tips with Snoozle Slide Sheet
Night-time rigidity and freezing in Parkinson’s can make turning in bed and getting out of bed slow, painful, and exhausting. This guide explains why freezing happens, what typically goes wrong when you try to move, and how to use small, segmented movements to turn and get up more safely. It also shows how a low-friction Snoozle Slide Sheet can reduce resistance so you can reposition with less effort and strain, without lifting or risky transfers.
Sleep Comfort
How to Move and Get Out of Bed with MS: Using Momentum and Snoozle Slide Sheet to Reduce Fatigue and Pain
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often means that even small movements in bed can cause rapid muscle fatigue, pain, and increased inflammation. This article addresses the common struggle of turning, repositioning, and getting out of bed safely and efficiently at home. We focus on teaching practical, momentum-based strategies coupled with the use of a low-friction tool, the Snoozle Slide Sheet, that makes movement easier, reduces strain, and helps preserve energy.
Sleep Comfort
Effortless Bed Mobility for MS: Using Momentum and Snoozle to Move Without Pain or Fatigue
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often means muscles tire quickly, making simple movements in bed feel overwhelming and painful. This article explains why bed mobility is so hard with MS, what commonly goes wrong, and how to use momentum and positioning to move more easily. It also shows how to safely use the Snoozle Slide Sheet as a low-friction tool to reduce strain, protect your skin, and conserve energy while turning or repositioning in bed at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the Snoozle Slide Sheet to transfer from bed to wheelchair or chair?▼
No. The Snoozle Slide Sheet is designed only for low-friction movements on the bed surface, such as turning, sliding up or down, and repositioning. It is not designed for lifting, bridging gaps, or transferring between bed and chair. For transfers, you should use appropriate transfer aids and follow professional guidance.
Will the Snoozle Slide Sheet make me more likely to slide out of bed?▼
Used correctly, the Snoozle should sit under your trunk and hips while you are fully supported on the mattress. You are in control of when you slide by using your arms and legs to push. It does not pull you off the bed. If you feel unsafe or find yourself sliding too easily, speak to a therapist about adjusting its position or combining it with bed rails or wedges.
Can using the Snoozle Slide Sheet reduce my fatigue?▼
It can help reduce the effort needed for each movement by lowering friction, which may lessen muscle fatigue and energy use when turning or sitting up. It will not remove fatigue completely, but many people find that movements feel more manageable and less exhausting.
How do I get the Snoozle Slide Sheet under me if I have limited movement?▼
Often a family member, caregiver, or therapist will help at first. They can roll you gently to one side, place part of the sheet on the mattress, then roll you the other way to pull the rest through. Once it is in place, you can usually keep it there and use it independently for ongoing repositioning.
Is the Snoozle Slide Sheet suitable if I have very sensitive or fragile skin?▼
A low-friction slide sheet can be helpful for fragile skin because it reduces dragging forces. However, everyone’s skin is different. Check your skin regularly, especially over bony areas, and stop using the sheet and seek advice if you notice redness that does not fade, blisters, or open areas.
Can I use the Snoozle Slide Sheet with other equipment like bed rails or pressure-relief mattresses?▼
Yes, it can usually be used alongside bed rails, wedges, or pressure-relief mattresses. The Snoozle sits on top of the mattress surface and below or within your bedding. If you have specialist equipment, check with your therapist or equipment provider to ensure they are compatible and safe together.
What if I don't have the energy for even these smaller steps?▼
Start with just one thing: bend your stronger knee and let it fall slightly to the side. Hold that. Wait. MS fatigue, especially in the morning, can make even a two-step sequence feel impossible, so don't force the full routine when your body's running on empty. If you're consistently this depleted before you've even moved, it's worth mentioning to your neurologist or MS nurse, because that level of morning fatigue sometimes signals that something in your management plan needs a look.
What if I'm too fatigued to even think about technique at 3am?▼
Pick one movement and do only that: nudge your hips a couple of centimetres toward the edge of the mattress. That's the whole job. At 3am with neurological fatigue, a full repositioning sequence isn't realistic, and trying to push through it often makes the spasticity or weakness worse. A small shift takes pressure off whatever's uncomfortable and may be enough to get you back to sleep. Save the full sequence for morning, when you've got at least a little more in the tank.