We are a charity and rely on donations

Charity Number: 1117194 (England and Wales)

Registered Company: 06000961

Registered address:
Shift.ms, Platform, New Station Street, LS1 4JB, United Kingdom

London office:
Shift.ms, Somerset House, Strand, West Goods Entrance, London WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom

©2024 Shift.ms

@Amy_Feltham 

Last reply

Amy_Feltham

Uncertainty/ hopelessness

I got diagnosed with MS about 5 years ago and at first I was really positive. Now I’m getting towards 30 and feel like I should be more grown up (!) but I worry about what my future looks like. I like to have a plan, and worry that my symptoms could get worse and the rug will be pulled from under me. I’m worried I’ll get too disabled to foster kids (which I have always wanted to do) or be in a normal workplace doing clinical mental health research (which I’ve been working towards for 10 to 15 years). It’s like I don’t want to plan my future and work hard towards something that could just get taken from me. I’m scientifically minded and have looked at a load of research but of course there’s no way of knowing what an individuals quality of life looks like long term. Like I find it really hard to hope because I don’t want to be disappointed. Is it normal to lose hope and even get clinically depressed? Has anyone found anything that helps with the uncertainty and hopelessness?
8
@ceruleanblueee
@ceruleanblueee
 

Hi! Are you getting profesional help? I'm 32, I was diagnosed 3 years ago. What I have "learned" from this (and from the neurologist waiting room 😬) is that you cant really handle what it's not there yet. Currently I'm doing two thing (both cliche but they are working for me) : I'm doing everything to be as healthy and happy as I can (lot of exercise, progressing, having fun and meeting people while putting my body to work) I'm eating reaaaally healthy (not boring food) and the other thing is to be thankfull, of what? Of what I have/what I can do today. I know that I may lose it some day, well.. maybe I don't, maybe I do. it will be a problem I will have to handle in that moment, and since I'm being doing all this (good eating and excersice everyday) I'm really positive about the future, maybe I'm naive, or maybe I'm not and I will be super proud and strong in 10 years 😂 I hope. Well that's what I choose, ofcourse I have issues with get in a long-term relationship now and stuff like that but, I'm working on me right now. And it's really working on me. Virtual hug🙃

@Amy_Feltham
@Amy_Feltham
 

Thanks for replying. Yeah I am under a mental health team, it’s hard because they don’t see too many people in my position and I don’t always feel understood. But I think it’s good for professionals to be aware. I like the idea of doing everything possible to stay healthy - maybe that would give me less to regret if my most valued do functions go. Do you follow a specific diet? I’m at the very top end of a healthy BMI so trying to keep on top of my weight. Have seen loads of things about specific diets for MS but IDK where to start with evidence and what if anything to try! I am in an amazing long term relationship with a super supportive partner (at the moment we live 110 miles apart but we have been together for years and we make it work with a lot of trips to stay with eachother!) Is there anything in particular that makes you worry about long term relationships? My experience with B is that she’s really helped me through some tough times with the MS and I help her through tough times with other stuff. Teamwork!