Taking More Time For Myself

[nicoly3467]

Hi Friends-MS is a battle everyday as you know. With frequent flyer miles I earned in ER over the last 5+ MS years, in addition to a few hospital stays for relapses, I learned extreme prolonged stress were prob main culprit to my worst relapses. I can’t blame it all on my MS. But just the “stress” of dealing daily with MS symptoms, and/or getting around physically is enough for anyone! Then add other “intense” stressors to the kettle pot and this affects anyone with MS in the worst way, because of impaired, nerves.

Due to my severe relapse last year I didn’t fully recover from, I learned I expel more time for everyone else (worrying about my son especially) and take less time for myself! Not good.

I’m changing this tune now in all facets, even emotionally, plus getting one of my meds adjusted. I’ll feel better for myself first, then I can be more present daily for everyone else w/ my family, friends, etc. as best I can. I try to remind myself, I do what I can and that’s good enough.

I’ve been stuck since birth on the “To Do Do List”, but had to drop it more last year after severe relapse, because of my perm mobility issue now and more daily fatigue. It wasn’t easy adjusting to change, but now...If I do one task on list that day, a few things, all, none or I don’t even make a list-and all depends on my energy & pain level, I’m mostly ok with it-the guilt has become less. I still have guilt at times, like feeling I’m not doing enough for my family, etc., then I remind myself-I can do what I can and that’s good enough! Also, learning to be more kind to myself. That’s hard.

PS: Saw my Pschye doc last week and he told me that Prozac has been shown in clinical studies to be “more helpful” for MS anxiety, than any other SSRI’s! This is such great news and want to research why.

Has anyone heard of this?? I’m being weaned off Cymbalta slowly now (which didn’t work well for me anyway cuz of it being an SNRI) and switching to Prozac, because I’ve had intense anxiety that has been through the rooftop to Pluto this last month.

Take care friends! I love this support group.

Nikki 😊

[Kenu]

Nikki, thanks for sharing what is going on with your depression. I would think weaning off Cymbalta has added to your anxiety and stress. My wife did this last year and boy was it ugly till she got back to a regular dose of medication for her depression,anxiety, and stress. It can be really hard changing meds. I had not heard about Prozac and MS ? Interesting.....Let us know how this works out ? Ken 🐾🐾👍😊🙏

[nicoly3467 in reply to Kenu]

Hi Kenu-thanks for your reply and sharing about your wife’s experience. I’ve been weaning off Cymbalta last 5 days, but had more anxiety before this. I feel similar effects in what you said about your wife reducing her medicine to switch. Doc reduced 1/2 Cymbalta for 3 days, then I started small dose of Prozac w/ 1/2 dose of Cymbalta for next few weeks. Then after this, only take Prozac- whatever dose works best for me, I’ll find out.

[Royjr]

Agree 100% with Kenu. Keep us informed and I wish you well 👍🏼

[jimeka]

Nikki, I wish you well with Prozac. I hope it works out for you. I agree with what you said but be yourself, accept how you are, come to love the person you are now. Don’t look back, look forward, you will be amazed what new challenges come your way and how you conquer them. You have an inner strength that helps you cope. Let us know how you get on, Blessings Jimeka 🦋 🤗

[nicoly3467 in reply to jimeka]

Jimeka-Thanks for the great advice!

[greaterexp]

Thank you for posting about this, as there are many who can relate. I hope your new med works well for you. Please do keep us posted about how you're doing.

[bxrmom]

I hope the new med helps you feel better nicoly3467 As others said, please keep us updated when you can.

Jessie

[nicoly3467]

Prozac Update: Due to bad reaction last weekend (feeling way more depressed & anxious)-I got off Prozac yesterday. I called my doc and he advised this but I think him cutting my Cymbalta dose down so fast from 120mg dose to 60 mg on the first day onward and 3 days later adding small dose of Prozac-caused me to feel much worse. I never had a Rxn like this before switching to another antidepressant. My doc will suggest another SSRI med in two weeks once things stabilize.

Last 2 days emotionally & mentally were very bad for me. Today I feel better already-yay!

It’s like Ms treatments-it’s trial & error for a while, until you find one that clicks.

Nikki

[Lilith08 in reply to nicoly3467]

Switching meds is a royal pain! I hope you can get it stabilized soon. I’m now making the second switch in about as many months. Thankful that the last one wasn’t bad—just didn’t improve things quite enough.

I appreciate your talking about better self care. It’s become clear to me that I’ve been doing a lousy job of it and really need to refocus. Onward and upward!