10 Valuable Lessons Learned from Living with MS

Instead of complaining, I’ve always tried to find a silver lining in every bad situation. This attitude has allowed me to observe many changes in myself while living with MS. My advice is to surround yourself with people who add value to your life. The rest will naturally fall away. In the meantime, observe yourself—what benefits have you gained from them, and what have you brought to the table? Have you added any value to their lives?

Taking Control of Health While Living With MS

• I learned to take control. Only I can take action when it comes to my health. Doctors can intervene to a certain extent, and loved ones can only do so much to stop my wild thoughts. I learned to take control and do whatever was necessary (calming down, learning, acting, moving forward).
• I integrated healthy eating and the pursuit of wellness into my life. I didn’t adopt a “one meal won’t hurt” or “I’ll be fine” attitude. Medications and doctors can only keep you healthy to a point. The rest depends on your own efforts.

Me and John heard and read about healthy eating from doctors. We processed this information through our filters and started applying what suited us. Just as we can’t trust every doctor, we can’t suspect everyone either. Find someone you can trust.

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Overcoming Fear and Anxiety

Over time while living with MS, I learned not to immediately think the worst. It took me about three years not to immediately think, “Is this numbness an MS attack?” whenever I felt a tingling sensation. But I got there in the end.

I learned that you can become friends from afar with things that aren’t very pleasant. Take the MRI machine, for instance. Who gets excited about getting into an MRI machine? But it’s a short process we endure for our well-being. Why stress and ruin our weeks over it?

Embracing Necessary Treatments for Living Well with MS

Cortisone and IV lines—if we need cortisone to stop an attack from progressing, saying “I don’t want it” is not a luxury. It’s endangering your health and existence in this world. If the doctor says it’s necessary, find out which vein handles the medication best. For example, I know which arm to offer for blood draws or IV lines.

Sometimes I don’t like Kefir, but it’s still my friend. I know it’s hard to force yourself to eat or drink things you don’t like. Even if you manage for a few days, you might stop after a few weeks or months. Instead, you can incorporate them into your diet periodically as part of a regimen—not just relying on them entirely but adding them occasionally.

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Say to yourself, “Yes, I’m having coffee with my spouse, and I’m grateful for this moment.”
Be present.
When playing with your child, lose yourself in their laughter and be “out of order” for a while.

Deep breaths are beneficial.

Cultivating Love and Acceptance

More love. Isn’t everything rooted in love? We can overcome MS with the unconditional love we nurture inside us. Too utopian? Okay, just relax and focus on love. Remove hatred from your life.

Love your spouse, parents, siblings, children, pets (and all animals, really), and everyone and everything.

EVERYTHING.

Even the unpleasant ones. If they are an inseparable part of your life, accept them. (Yes, removing them is an option, but that’s your decision.)

Letting Go of Unchangeable Things

I increased my effort not to dwell on things I can’t change for living well with MS. Unfortunately, I don’t have a magic wand. Who wouldn’t want to fix everything and make everyone feel good instantly?

Another MS attack? Okay, let’s not dwell on it. If cortisone is needed, let’s take it. We’ve listened to our doctor. Now, what can we do? Eat well. Stay calm. Ask for help. Smile. Know that this attack will pass, too.

Asking for Help

I learned that asking for help is right.

Asking for help is actually a brave acceptance of the situation and a sign of strength.

Practicing Patience

I learned to be patient. Yes, attacks come suddenly, but we don’t immediately return to our old selves even after taking cortisone. In this process, I learned that being patient and staying calm is crucial. If I’m impatient and rushed, I can’t change anything, and that might make things worse.

Even in daily life without an attack, I’ve started applying patience.

What MS Has Taken Out of My Life

Negative thoughts: I learned not to listen to and silence my internal fears, anxieties, and worries.

Malicious people: I realized I can’t change malicious people. I decided there’s no room for their negativity in my life. I couldn’t handle their negativity on top of my health issues.

Unhealthy eating habits: I decided I don’t have the luxury of unhealthy eating. Eating well is not a luxury; unhealthy eating has become a luxury in my life. Every time I eat well, I feel good, and every time I eat poorly, I feel bad and even trigger an MS attack.

Complaining: Who wants to get an MRI or IV? But if we have to do it, I say, “This vein is easy to find, and I have suitable earplugs in my bag for the MRI.” There’s no need to complain about not wanting the MRI and go through convincing efforts. Our doctors don’t ask for these things for our harm.

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Thank you for reading and sharing what I’ve written about my MS journey. Reaching people and making a positive impact is very rewarding. I wish I had a more substantial social media presence to spread my voice and boost the morale of more people.

My journey hasn’t ended here. The journey continues with as much joy as possible!

What lessons have you learned in your fight against MS?

Feel free to share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Your stories and tips could be incredibly helpful to others navigating their own MS journey.

QA’s

1. What not to do if you have MS?
   Avoiding stress, staying inactive, and neglecting mental health are a few things that can worsen MS symptoms. It’s important to prioritize both physical and emotional well-being.
2. Can MS mess with your mental health?
   Yes, MS can impact mental health, contributing to conditions like anxiety, depression, and cognitive fog. Managing mental health is crucial in the overall treatment of MS.
3. Is life worth living with MS?
   Absolutely. While MS can bring challenges, many people find meaning, joy, and purpose in their lives through hobbies, relationships, and personal achievements.
4. How does multiple sclerosis affect someone’s life?
   MS can affect many aspects of life, including physical abilities, mental health, and emotional well-being. The extent of these changes depends on the individual’s specific MS journey.
5. How does MS affect quality of life?
   MS can impact quality of life by causing fatigue, mobility issues, and cognitive challenges. However, with proper management and support, many people with MS continue to lead fulfilling lives.
6. Do you ever feel normal with MS?
   It may take time to adjust to the changes MS brings, but many people find a “new normal” as they adapt to their symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle adjustments.
7. Can someone with MS live alone?
   Yes, many individuals with MS live independently. With the right support systems, adaptive tools, and planning, living alone is possible for those with MS.
8. Can people with MS be happy?
   Yes, people with MS can experience happiness and fulfillment. Mental health management, strong relationships, and coping strategies all contribute to a positive outlook despite the challenges of MS.
9. Does MS cause lack of empathy?
   MS itself does not typically cause a lack of empathy. However, the cognitive changes some individuals experience may affect emotional processing. It’s important to seek professional help for any significant behavioral changes.