Is there a connection between mental health and MS?

@donnavanpelt Excellent! MS is one of the rare diseases that people don’t “get” until they get it. If they lived one day or perhaps one hour in your skin, they would be horrified to say the least. Then perhaps they would “get” it, what this disease is really like. Not only that, it is different for everyone. It is an enigma.
Courage.

Hi - Im sorry I misunderstood the first email - had a bad thinking day. The worst of many symptoms for me are cognitive issues. My neurologist told me the symptoms all aging adults experience are the same with MS only worse. MS has changed my biological brain to be in anxiety mode all the time. There are different levels which I will try to explain. I hope Im not scaring you but I dont have any idea of what you are looking for. I started writing so I cant forget what Ive experienced. The following is my general living with MS and then anxiety which is unfinished. Please let me know if there are any specifics you would like to discuss.

Life’s Journey with MS

Living with MS is a struggle nearly every day
Fortunately there are some days that float in the wind in a sun filled sky
Other days are weighed down by countless limitations sinking into darkness
Even worse are the days that questions if life is even worth living

After the initial diagnosis there was a short lived relief
Followed by a devastating sadness
Questioning what to expect for the remainder of life

MS is a paradox
It’s perplexing that a disease can biologically cause changes in the brain including anxiety and depression
And yet it also can be a side effect from just having the disease itself with an unknown future
The absurdity is astonishing

Encounters with people who don’t quite understand MS
Explaining at times leads to feelings of pity from the listener
That is the last thing needing to be dealt with
They mean well but add to the burden of the day

Mindset is everything
Adjusting to the limitations and learning to accept the disease
Worrying about something that might never happen seems senseless
Fighting MS isn’t worth the energy
Embrace it because it is a part of the body we dwell within
And be the best despite it

The Journey of MS with Anxiety

Anxiety is yet another arduous symptom to live with
It has different levels which takes some time to figure out
The lowest level can be dealt with by getting distracted
The middle level is a combinations of being able to get partially distracted
but nearing non-functioning
The highest level is not being able to function
The brain shuts down and it feels like constant terror
Medication is the only chance of getting free from this horror
There are other options like biofeedback therapy but not attempted

@donnavanpelt Excellent! MS is one of the rare diseases that people don’t “get” until they get it. If they lived one day or perhaps one hour in your skin, they would be horrified to say the least. Then perhaps they would “get” it, what this disease is really like. Not only that, it is different for everyone. It is an enigma.
Courage.

@donnavanpelt
Biofeedback was my savoir as a teen.

@hrhwilliam
I have never been diagnosed with MS but sure check off a bunch of sysmptoms from the list! It seems I have so MANY illnesses, they overlap eachother. Vikings disease, hands hurt 24/7 (I do grossly overwork my hands with projects) but the past yr or so, now my wrists and lower arms stiffen with pain and I have no control of them for a minute. Legs cramp with excursiating pain, vegan hemp rub from Merry Hempster (handmade in Portland with hot peppers) worked like a charm, but now my pains are deeper than the muscles, its in them there bones! So I use frankinscence and mhyrr (sorry, severly dyslexic) with wonderful results.

@msmarymac Typically with MS, some issues come and go while others may be permanent. Many patients have good days or periods short or long where they have no outward issues whatsoever. Others have permanent loss of function such as balance, eyesight, or hearing, or perhaps loss of bladder control.
There are also several types of MS such as Progressive, Relapsing, Relapsing/Remitting. It is a difficult disease to diagnose however an MRI of the brain and brain stem likely will show white spots (new legions) or dark holes (dead cell areas). Progress of the disease is measured by comparing MRI’s year upon year as well as new function issues.
New drugs out now a little more than fifteen years have helped considerably to slow the progression of this disease, in some cases stopping the disease to where a patient can stop the meds and no new legions are noted.
I certainly am in no position to diagnose or assume you may or may not have MS. That is something a neurologist can determine however you likely have to ask for the testing.