Catching up

[Shaunaice]

I've been reading back posts...one was what makes you strong?, I've thought hmmm what makes me strong newly diagnosed and sitting here with one of my dogs on my lap thinking she makes me strong I have to make sure she and the rest of the herd gets their fests every day..I'm grateful how happy they are.i messaged my sisters who are 5 years older bossy as all get out who tell me how I should change my diet stop smoking (I'm working on that) stop drinking soda...basically reduce all the the things that have given me comfort in the 25 yrs! God help me they give me a reason to be strong even if they pester me lol...second post I read was what was your first symptoms? Oh well that one I'm like maybe it was the incontinence of bowl and bladder idk I've had the bowl thing since 2013 and the bladder incontinence since probably 2016 but I swear back in 2012 I had a major episode of Ms hug which sent me to the hospital which they said I was constipated...gave me some meds and sent me on my way a year later I had my gallbladder removed...I've had fatigue for years but until the last four I was in a abusive relationship so I tucked most of my ailments under a rug so he wouldn't get mad...now recently in say the six months I've experienced several episodes of extreme fatigue heat intolerance over the summer I mean I'd sweat so bad it would soak my scrubs...all day, one night I noticed this kick like spasm in my right leg I'd have numbness and tingling in my hands the electrical shock from my head all the way down my arms blurred vision double vision...so yup that's my story...ty if you got this far.

[Royjr]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[greaterexp]

I appreciate you sharing your story. With all the differences among us, we have so many similarities.

[jimeka]

Well done for sharing, in doing this you show strength. I too get a lot of strength from Razor my dog. As for the smoking and soda drinking, don’t go cold turkey, do it gradually, that way it won’t be a problem. It’s hard to kick habits of years of enjoyment, only to find we would be better off without them. Stay strong, blessings Jimeka 🦋 🤗

[T5tg in reply to jimeka]

I started smoking at eleven and finally quit about 4 years ago (I'm 60

.) It was hard at first but I rarely get colds now and feel better overall. And who knows how much money I have saved! I don't smell like an ashtray, etc... Really only downside to quitting is the challenge of finding something innocuous to do instead. Takes a bit of imagination but totally worth it. Good luck!

[Hidden]

Hi Shaunaice - what keeps me strong? Good question, I hadn't really thought of that specifically. I have a wonderful husband now and he definitely keeps me going. Before him though, I spent 21 years in an abusive relationship. That kind of stress made my symptoms worse. A lot of symptoms disappeared once I got away from him. Of course now, all these years later, there are new ones. But not because of the stress of abuse. Just time + MS = more symptoms. I used to have bulldogs. I miss having dogs but we can't have them where we live right now. Hopefully we'll be somewhere one day where we can enjoy canine friends again. They definitely lift your spirits. It's a real blessing to have a dog. Ahh, vices. I wasn't ever a big drinker, but I did enjoy a glass of wine or an adult beverage now and then. Anymore just a tiny bit of alcohol makes me stagger like I'm very drunk even though I'm not, and I figure if it's having that effect on my nervous system, I'd better give it up altogether. But I discovered kombucha. It's something I enjoy now as much as I enjoyed a cocktail in my former life, but no alcohol. So I gave up alcohol but found something healthy I could replace it with that I enjoy. You'll do the same over time I'm sure.

[CraigS]

I have a hard time remembering when my symptoms started. They were so random and disconnected. I think my bladder might have been the first sign, but I had no idea that is was a problem. I just didn’t need to pee as often. Then there was a major pain in my left thigh. I assumed that it was unrelated. Numbness cane next on my left leg and it traveled down to my foot. Jumped to the right foot and I could walk on my own again. (Weird)Crawled up my right leg to the knee and stayed there for years. Suddenly, my entire right side fell out like a switch had been turned off. Finally a diagnosis for what it all had been. Crazy s**t I tell ya.

Anyway, here I am, hanging out with all of you.

Some fun!

[Shaunaice]

I could include you guys for helping me stay strong...the stories you tell inspire me. Thank you for sharing

[Wizardsmom]

I would have to say my family helps me to be strong. My sister, when I was first diagnosed 4 years ago, was the "You need a positive attitude, you need to change your diet, you need to exercise" type of person because that's who she is but I know it was out of love.

I guess, we have to figure ourselves out. No one can do it for us except ourselves and our doctor. So, the moral is find what makes you strong and stick with it!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

It's amazing where you find your strength Shaunaice ! And I'm so glad your finding yours! Cause nobody says it's an easy road.

I Thank You so much for sharing. 🤗

Oh I remember drinking, before MS broke my drinking nerve.😢 Loved my tequila 🤣😂🤣 No more of that tho!😂 Besides I walk funny enough! Now smoking,? I will quit when I want, or like I tell my docs. When they find a cure.😒 ☺️ But I have cut back. So you do what's best for you!

J🌠

[Doubled51 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Jesmcd2 . Tequila. Yes Jose Quervo was a good friend of mine back in my day.😂😅😅🤣🤪😝😜. But he sure kept me in trouble a lot.😝😂🤣😅.

But it’s been close to 30 years since I talked to him or a Budweiser. I even had a beermeister that held a 15 1/2 gal keg in my dining room.

But God took all the desire for those things away.

Yeah smoking is my only real vice now except for cars.😇😇. If quitting was easy I’d have done it years ago.

Donnie

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Doubled51]

Yeah I tried to quit Doubled51 but the nightmares were so bad that I would wake up screaming. Like really screaming! Hat was the end of that mess. I don't dream! Period! 😞🤗💕

J🌠

[Doubled51 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Jesmcd2 . I don’t dream either at least if I do I don’t remember them.

I tried Chantix years back and one of the side effects are suicidal thoughts and when that started it was thee end of that plan. Suicide has never been in my thoughts. I want to live for ever. Cigarettes might kill me but it will take longer than suicide.😇😇😇😇.

Donnie

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Doubled51]

I was on the patch. And it was working... It was the nightmare. Same one. Always, had it as a kid to. But the screaming? It wakes everyone. And it's not worth it. And idgas!😒☺️

[Doubled51 in reply to Jesmcd2]

My thoughts exactly. I’ll take my chances smoking😇😇😇😇🤪🤣.

Donnie

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Doubled51]

My thoughts to!😄☺️