Overwhelmed

[Ramdogg]

Hello, can anyone share any tips on how to stay positive when you feel overwhelmed with the condition or the future. Thanks

[falalalala]

I find comfort in prayer, loved ones, pets, art- things that take me away from MS for awhile are very valuable to me.

Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

[erash in reply to falalalala]

Beautifully said❤️ falalalala

[falalalala in reply to erash]

😀

[Cutefreckles72 in reply to falalalala]

So true and I believe it every day. 🙏🏾

[falalalala in reply to Cutefreckles72]

😀👍

[NorasMom]

For me, it's often just sitting on my back porch and staring at the woods. I get to see deer, foxes, and even river otters at times. I also have a wide variety of hobbies. What I do on a given day depends entirely on my physical and mental abilities, but I make a point of doing something that I enjoy.

[AquaZumbaFan]

Sometimes Ramdogg I just have to literally picture myself handing off to God whatever is just to big to carry, even if it only for one night so I can get some sleep I also try to help turn the focus off of myself and reach out to those around me and now I have a “ list” of family members/ friends/ former coworkers that I reach out to on occasion ( some much more frequently as their need is greater for attention) and little by little I feel more positive about things. Keep coming back to the forum.. let us know how are doing

[Peruzzot]

I do a lot of hiking and hobbies. Reading, nature photography, crocheting, writing flash fiction stories involving some of the photos I've taken. I'm also learning blacksmithing and scuba diving, through veterans organizations. Find something you like to do and do it. It will help think about anything except MS.

[LHermitte in reply to Peruzzot]

From blacksmithing to scuba diving, you sound like a ball of creative fire, Peruzzot! I love the array of your talents ❤️!

[Peruzzot in reply to LHermitte]

There isn't much I won't try at least once.🤔😊

[LHermitte in reply to Peruzzot]

And it's great that you accessed so many of these goodies via veterans organizations, too!

[Kit10]

If you don't feel positive you don't feel positive - it's allowed to feel bad, have a good wallow, let it out, come here and vent. Bottling up bad feeling isn't a good idea, they just fester and get worse. Pollyanna was a nauseating little creep (IMHO), you don't have to feel "Glaaaad" all the time. Don't beat yourself up about feeling bad, it'll just make you feel worse. If you don't want to feel bad all day, set a timer for half an hour, wallow in feeling bad until it rings, then go find a distraction.

p.s. chocolate always helps.

[Helpmeup in reply to Kit10]

I completely agree. Sometimes we have bad days. We must allow ourselves to feel lousy sometimes. Can't be jolly all the time, it's too exhausting. When I have a crap day, I always remind myself that tomorrow will be better.

And chocolate is the best. I'm not picky...chocolate cake, cookies, pudding, ice cream...🤗🙂

[hairbrain4]

There's times when you just feel down, MS or no MS. Find a support group of others with MS or use this site to open up & let those feelings out. When my cosmetology students were feeling down I would tel them to look in the mirror each morning & say "I love you." I learned this from a psychologist years ago when I was suffering from depression. It helps because our mind believes what we can hear more than if we just think it.

My motto since my diagnosis 19 years ago has been..." Everyday is a new adventure." And I try to find something good in everything. Having MS isn't a death sentence, just a change in how you live your life.

I've used MS to help other people. Helping others takes the focus off of yourself & you don't feel down.

And spending time in prayer asking for guidance helps me more than anything.

[Cwright170994]

When I'm feeling down, I like to make myself a cup of tea, sit on my settee, and watch something on my tv/phone. I might even talk to friends, often not face to face, mostly over the phone. I tell my husband how I'm feeling before I get depressed, but he can tell by my face.

A few years ago, I went through some time where I had suicidal thoughts. The only things that stopped me was thinking of what our dog would do, and my husband coming home from work to find our dog curled up next to my lifeless body 😭 (plus, if I'd had done that, husband wouldn't be able to claim my life insurance.)

[Biggums]

Hello. It's easy to be overwhelmed.

[hopeandgrace]

I stay positive by remembering that my future is not limited to this life and my wheelchair-bound body plagued by progressive MS and extreme stiffness that baclofen and Botox injections can’t help. I dwell on God’s promise of Heaven, Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away

Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven and I believe that He is worth living for as I wait to be with him there.

Praying for you 🙏🏼

[CatsandCars in reply to hopeandgrace]

What a beautifully written reply!

On another note, has your doctor talked to you about a baclofen pump to see if it would help you? It's a very simple surgery and it can help when oral baclofen can't.

[hopeandgrace in reply to CatsandCars]

They have asked me but I am not yet ready for it. Thank you for the kind words.

[CatsandCars in reply to hopeandgrace]

I totally understand, but if you ever have any questions at all about getting one, I would be happy to help. Feel free to message me. 😊

[CatsandCars]

I was okay with my MS, mental health-wise, for a long time. But 22 years in, I can feel things changing, and it honestly scares me. I don't know that I'm a shining example of how to cope. But it helps me to tell myself that I'm okay right now, and I will be okay for the near future, which I believe to be true. I try to count my blessings, like my husband, family, our cats, and my friends. I think/hope that their presence will always give me comfort. I believe in God, and while I've always been afraid of suffering and death, I do believe that there is something beyond this life to look forward to.

It would be surprising if you felt great about things all the time, with the nature of MS being what it is. It would probably be helpful to talk to a professional therapist about it. It's always good to have a therapist on retainer, so to speak. 😊 But please know that you're not alone, Ramdogg. We are all in this struggle together, and I'm glad that you reached out. I will pray that you'll find your way through this. 🙏❤️

[Greentime in reply to CatsandCars]

When changes are felt, it always brings up fear, no matter how adjusted we are to MS. I feel for you CarsandCars. 🤗

[CatsandCars in reply to Greentime]

Thanks, Greentime. I appreciate that. 😊

[stepsforNeeC]

Everyone has their own tools in their proverbial “tool box” that can be used to lift our spirits during those difficult days. I learned that focusing on the good things that are still apart of my MS journey that cannot change makes me look at the glass as “half full and not half empty.”

Communicating here has also been a Godsend because “we get each other” without judgment or ridicule! Blessings and Peace to you. NeeC

[Greentime]

When I was first diagnosed I was terrified. I did progressive relaxation on tapes and that would calm me down. I would feel better afterwards. Overtime I learned that I was strong and would deal with whatever came my way, that helped me stay positive.

[mrsmike9]

Everyone here has wonderful ideas that have worked for them. Try one...try them all! Just find one that works for you. Do let us know how you are getting along.

[Xvettech]

hi. I’m sorry if you are having a hard time with this! I am 2 1/2 years after being diagnosed and still having a difficult time. I pet and play with my cat. He makes me happy. I listen to music or play it I have a particular artist whose songs and sound of his voice take me away to a very peaceful place, I also do art projects. Mostly anything to get your mind off of reality!

[anaishunter]

I try to write down everything that takes me down or everything I have to do. Then it's not in my head anymore, and I can start to forget about it. (it's now easy and does not always happens but bring an chaotic, unbearable situation into something a bit more rational).

Then I do one thing on the list at a time and start to feel good that I made progress. Doing a bit every day ends up to a lot at the end of week or the month. It also helps finding people you can reach out to to help on a specific task.

For big, long-term issues, I try to remind myself of what I overcome in the past. so I feel I can do it again. Even if it's unfair. Life is unfair and throws at some of us, way too much while others seem to get an easy path. But you can't get stuck on that. One only get stronger by facing tough times.

[Girafflover]

it’s always hard to stay positive with MS. I read a daily devotional, play words with friends on the iPad, I live in a nursing home, but I get out once or twice a week for lunch. I also love reading doing crossword puzzles, and Word search puzzles. Hope this helps you, let me know.

[Mollyabigail]

What a great question. What makes you happy, Ramdogg? Sports? Music? Animals? Spiritual services? Family? Spend some time every day with wherever your passion lies.I love books, my dog, hearing from my adult kids, jig saw puzzles & God. Not in that order. I cling to Isaiah 41:10. In fact, I had it printed, framed & hung by my bed. Every morning, I sit up & read it slowly. It has my first name in the middle of it. I will improvise here & insert your name. “Fear not, for I am with you, Ramdogg. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you up with my righteous right hand. "

There. End of sermon. And when I am bored, I watch funny videos on YouTube & Instagram. It's hard to be positive all the time. I do try to remember this 'could be worse.'

[Girafflover]

when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I take deep breaths. Also reading for me is therapy. Two magazines readers digest, and guide polls have very inspirational messages. I also do some coloring and painting. It makes me feel relaxed.