How do you get through?

[superman38]

I want to know

[Mollyabigail]

That's easy! God. God gets me through. I know it like I know my name. He chose this path for us, but we don't walk this path alone.Also, there are the positives. Whatever your passion is. Mine is my sons, my dog, books, music, chocolate, a/c in the summertime. The list is endless once you start listing things.

And last, but definitely not least, this forum! They are awesome!

[RomCom87 in reply to Mollyabigail]

Ditto! It’s how I get through.

[NorasMom]

Making a point to do something that makes me happy every day, even if it's as little as looking out the kitchen window in an attempt to see some deer or a pretty bird.

I had to quit working a few years ago and was pretty depressed about it. I finally started looking at the whole situation differently and began focusing on the positives. I have a steady income that doesn't require any effort on my part (Skip the part where the SS COLA is a joke). I'm living in my dream house (We won't mention the crooked floors or peeling paint). I don't have to pay attention to clocks or answer the phone (That's why I have voicemail). I sleep whenever I want and choose my own meal times.

The fun of being an at-home adult means that I can eat breakfast at midnight or have cake for lunch. I can binge-watch favorite TV shows or spend all day reading a book on the back porch. I indulge in my hobbies whenever I feel like it. Of course I have bad days and sad days and times when I have tears running down my face, but after I let myself wallow for a bit I then try to find a positive to perk me up. MS really sucks, but I'm not going to let it drain my life of joy.

[whwiechm in reply to NorasMom]

I totally agree. I've always been a "glass half full" person. Looking around I agree that it's a wonderful world, even if MS is a bummer.

[NorasMom in reply to whwiechm]

I wasn't, but I had a horrible time with depression in my teens until I realized that I was the only one who could make things better. Some prescription drugs helped for a bit, but mostly I just changed the way I looked at things. When negative thoughts would pop into my head, I would intentionally start thinking about sunshine and fields of flowers. It felt kind of silly at first, but it got easier as time went on, and I've now spent most of my life as a sincerely happy person. "This too shall pass" has become my mantra.

[whwiechm in reply to NorasMom]

Good for you. Focus on the good, ignore the bad as much as possible.

[falalalala]

Mollyabigail and NorasMom's answers are pretty close to how I handle it except for having an occasional meltdown.

I like to mix it up.

I wish you luck!😀

[Mollyabigail in reply to falalalala]

Meltdowns are necessary sometimes. Glad to know I am not the only one!

[falalalala in reply to Mollyabigail]

😅👍

[hairbrain4 in reply to Mollyabigail]

You for sure aren't the only one!

[AquaZumbaFan]

Yep I’m in agreement with all of the wonderful people.. you just literally have to find what brings you joy and do your very best to listen to your body, eat as well as you can. Try to get enough rest when you can.. I was fortunate and was able to work a good long while after I got diagnosed. My doctor said I would probably feel better in the end if I did.. he was the one that actually told me that I should go ahead and retire, even if it was not what I really wanted to do. That was really hard. But eventually, I found my water classes and they are what have given me a lot more peace and better fitness. Just keep on putting 1 foot in front of the other… And if you can’t live day by day, sometimes you have to live hour by hour… sometimes minute by minute.. Hang in there And reach out to this forum whenever you want

[Helpmeup]

Hi superman38, and welcome. I have to agree with the other posts. M.S. has been a roller coaster ride. Lots of downs, but lots of ups along the way when you start looking for them. Yes, there are days when I allow myself to feel awful, have a good meltdown, and then tell myself that bad days are usually followed by good days. I have been living with the M.S. beast for over 25 years. What gets me through these days? My dog gets me up every morning. She refuses to take no for an answer. I have a subscription for the Major League Baseball channel and watch games every day. Been a big baseball fan for years, and now I have a front row seat every day. I exercise when I can, and refuse to feel guilty when I can't. I try to eat well, but admit a good dinner of chocolate chip cookies can cheer me up on a bad day. I try to focus on what I can still do and occasionally have a good cry about what I can no longer do. And every day, I get up, get on the roller coaster, and try to deal with whatever surprises M.S. is going to throw at me.

And this forum has been a wonderful gift. The people on here really get it. Your family and friends can be there for you. They can sympathize, be compassionate and understanding, they can love you. But they just cannot understand what it's like living with this crazy disease. The people on this forum really, truly get it. They are living it every day. Keep posting and let us know how you're doing. 🙂

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

With a lot of help from my friends,  superman38 !

Welcome to the forum! For more information on how to manage your ‘ms’, look at mymsaa.org for resources. I look forward to hearing more from you!

[JSSimp]

I agree with everyone. Great words of inspiration. Everyday I try to find the Good in it even when things seems to be going not so good. I take one day at a time and make the best out of everyday. I realized as I think Positive it helps daily to endure one day at a time through those Painful day. God bless and many prayers for us all🙏🏾

[hairbrain4]

I get through pretty much the same as Mollyabigail. I start each day with a prayer of thanks for a new day & ask for guidance. Some days go good but if it doesn't then I'm thankful that I have another day to try again.

[Writter]

the Nature is constant, the sea, the flowers, the mountains, the rivers,.....all Nature is constant

flor

[Xvettech in reply to Writter]

Beautiful!

[RomCom87]

This forum really is a help for getting through. I was feeling guilty about once again having to cancel physical therapy until I read the responses. They reminded me that I have nothing to feel guilty about. I just can’t do it today and that’s okay. I will take it easy and binge watch All Creatures Great and Small.

[CatsandCars in reply to RomCom87]

It's hard to set limits, but your MS can pretty much be in charge at times, and it's wise to prioritize taking care of yourself!

Also, I love that show! I read all the books when I had a relapse last year, and it really helped because they're so funny and written in such a lighthearted style. It kept my mind off of my worries. 😊

[NorasMom in reply to CatsandCars]

I've done my best to buy up every book related to it and am slowly gathering the series on DVD. I started reading them in my teens, and I just love them!

[CatsandCars in reply to NorasMom]

They really are great. My mom had the book club versions of a couple of them that I read as a kid. But I didn't remember much, so reading as an adult was gratifying!

[CatsandCars]

Welcome, superman38. I'm so sorry that things are so hard right now. I just wanted to ask if you're newly diagnosed or if you're having a relapse? Do you know what form of MS you have? Because the symptoms you have when you're initially diagnosed/having your first relapse can sometimes improve with time, rest, and treatment. I hope and pray that things get better for you, and I'm very glad that you found us. 🙏

[agate]

I've had MS for about 45 years now and in recent years just taking care of tasks that have to be done each day takes up 99% of my time, with no breaks for holidays or weekends. I make a point of taking a nap each afternoon, lasting anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours, and by the end of the day I pretty much insist on having at least an hour for an activity I find relaxing, which is watching the TV news and then part of a DVD movie while doing some crocheting. Having that bit of time for something I WANT to do instead of doing what I have to do means a lot to me.