Newly diagnosed oct 2017 at 65 still working. How long before you realize you just can’t do what you used to do.

[bpriddle]

Still trying to get up at 5 put in a 10 hour day mostly at home on computer but still traveling and calling on customers. Being a sales Mgr directing sales people. What are you going to do to increase sales blah blah blah. Home duties etc. have always worked 60 to 70 hr per week I guess I would be called a workaholic. Never had much more than a cold or sinus infection. Don’t like the confusion. Questioning yourself have always been able to care for house maintenance yard, plumbing, minor construction, electrical etc. at what time to you admit to yourself you just can’t continue at your old pace. I guess the time is getting close

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hi and good morning bpriddle I'm not sure if we have spoken before or not. ☺

I would have to say if your still doing all that running, at 65! More power to you! ☺ Except, (I know) that maybe, cutting back to maybe an 8 hr day with a nap? Might help?

MS takes alot out of you. And sometimes you have to give in to it. Other times you don't. It's a matter of listening and learning. And meds! 🤣😂

I wish you luck!

🤗💕

J🌠

[livewell2]

I was 64 when diagnosed like you. i knew lo g before my official dx that I was and had been going down hill. (PPMS) It just took that l9ng to get official dx.

Everyone is different as to how long or how much you can do. I think for me, I began cutting back little by little. I decided that the little things no longer mattered and I could either let someone else do them or just let them go. This was hard because I was control freak and had to do Everything. Once I told myself it was ok to let go (and that was very hard) I felt great relief. Guilty at times, but relieved. The more I let go of the easier it became and the more I realized I should have let much sooner. But, we are warriors and continue to fight through to the last battle not wanting to give up.

I am finishing up a weekend trip with a lot of friends. It has been difficult getting around in unfamiliar places. My heart is full with the love and compassion my friends have shown me as they jump in to help me with getting around and carrying things for me. It was hard at first, but they really do want to help.

[bpriddle in reply to livewell2]

Thanks for the reply. I do agree I need to let go more. I have been transitioning my replacement for about 8 months. Admitting you can’t do something is not in my nature. This I need to work on.

[livewell2 in reply to bpriddle]

I agree, admitting it to myself is hardest. Our limitations may be obvious to others, but hardest for us to accept. Oftentimes I insist that I can do something, leave me alone and let me do it! Only to find out that I struggled with it too much and put myself in danger of overload or injury. So, now I just try not to push that envelope anymore. It is a learning curve for all of us. Plus, what we cannot do one day we are perfectly capable of doing another day and sometimes what we can do one day, we cannot do the next. Ugh! So frustrating!

I am so very fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends who cannot possibly fully understand what we feel, but are always there to help in areas I need help. I am very blessed indeed

[bpriddle in reply to livewell2]

Thank you for the response. My family is very supportive. Have no issues with them. Have been married for going on 47 years now. Wife was able to stay home and raise the kids and then help with grandkids. Oldest son is a CRNA and his wife is a nurse so get a lot of information from them.

[livewell2 in reply to bpriddle]

Many blessings indeed I see many parallels in our ages and lives. Stay strong!

[greaterexp]

Most of us struggle with that to varying degrees. It can be very difficult to learn that we are not what we do that makes us who we are. But there is no denying that most of us identify ourselves by what we do or can accomplish physically or at a job. I'm learning that my value doesn't come from what I can do, but who I choose to be. Many of us learn that we can't physically or mentally do all we used to, and though it takes time to accept that, we find that we can adapt and find other things we can still do.

You are certainly valued here for who you are. Taking part in this forum is so important; your comments can really encourage and comfort others who struggle. I'm sorry there is any need for this forum, but while MS exists, it helps me immensely to know there are others who can really understand my problems and who offer support and ideas.

[erash in reply to greaterexp]

I couldn't agree more or say that any better!

[goatgal in reply to greaterexp]

greaterexp Beautifully stated philosophy. Such wisdom in your words: we are valued for who we choose to be. Thank you

[jackiesj]

bpriddle it is hard admitting we aren't what we use to be and then in pain,symptoms etc.Soemone said once, its like retirement....oh i know they meant well but heck no.....id be doing other things.Being around positive people is the best and sometimes that isn't family so ive made a new one here...welcome...You are still your best so don't forget that.jj

[bpriddle in reply to jackiesj]

Thank you

[erash]

bpriddle

Accepting is hard. But remember slowing down a bit may be better for maintaining your health. We all experience MS so differently.

Cheers to you 😊

[goatgal]

bpriddle I was diagnosed at 70. At that time I had a 20 acre farm with hens, goats, gardens. I was active in a farmer's market selling eggs, sourdough bread, jams, produce. It took three years to realize that my heat intolerance, fatigue and walking difficulties were increasing. I had assumed that the way I was at diagnosis would be the way forward but was mistaken. Now at 78, I must pace myself. I have a smaller house, on only 4 acres (most of it wooded), and can keep up with raised bed vegetable gardens, the mowing and a small flock of hens. I am much more heat intolerant, so confine my outdoor chore time to summer mornings.

[greaterexp in reply to goatgal]

That’s a beautiful story of resilience and adapting.

[Fancy1959]

Bpriddle, it's Fancy1959. First of all I would like to welcome you to this awesome chat room! You have found a safe place to come and ask questions, voice concerns, or simply speak to others who truly understand what you are going through. This chat room is full of the most caring, kind, and compassionate people I have ever had the privilege of working with.

Please remember the more you respond to other people's post where you create post like you just did the quicker you will get to know us and we will get to know you. I am certain there is much we can learn from each other. Please make sure you catch up with jimeka, our birthday club ambassador and give her your special date along with some information about yourself. That way you'll be put on our birthday calendar and we will help to celebrate your special day as families are want to do.

Now on to your question. I am in all of you working 10 hour days at 65! The combination of your age and your MS is probably going to demand some changes from you in the near future. If you're noticing a lowering of your endurance, that is a major symptom of MS. Do not feel any shame in admitting that it's time to cut back. MS does not deal well with high levels of stress and if the 10-hour days you're putting in stresses out your body your MS can react very negatively and rapidly progress in your symptoms level and your stage of disability.

I quit work at age 55 because of the extremely high stress level that was put on me by my job and my MS. I supervise 70 sometimes as many as 90 people in a transportation setting. My people were awesome, safe drivers, and very professional and did a fantastic job with fantastic reviews. No matter how good supervise and how good my team results were they were never good enough for my supervisor who rode me like tight pair of jeans! When I started to notice some odd and new MS symptoms I went to my neurologist and he diagnosed with what he thought were signs of possible seizure activity starting. Right then and there I quit my job and never went back in. Don't take it getting to a point that serious and life-altering for you to realize that it's time to cut back or quit working. You are eligible for social security retirement and I certainly would take advantage of that and get out of the Rat Race if you can afford to do so. You never know what tomorrow will bring and you might as well get out as soon as you can and enjoy the years that you have left with good health. Instead of working yourself to death and retiring too poor health with limited activities for not retiring at all due to an early demise. It's time to take care of yourself and realize that it's time to enjoy life and put yourself first in front of your job.

Even my husband who had pushed me to continue working because I carried the Family Insurance thought it was time I quit. He saw that my health was declining and he agreed that there was no need to work myself to death. I typically left the house at about 5:15 a.m. and most days did not get home until 5:30 to 6 p.m. I was literally working myself to death. So I quit. Think about this yourself. Only you can determine what's best for your health but don't forget there's life besides work...... Fancy.

[bpriddle in reply to Fancy1959]

Thanks for the feed back. My wife wants me to retire NOW. I am 66 now was diagnosed at 65. yes I am eligible for full SS. I guess just not mentally prepared to retire. I have been fortunate that I enjoyed working. Had a job that fit me. No real hobbies other than work.