Testing the waters...
Hi - newly diagnosed (end of last summer) and started Tecfidera with mostly no adverse side effects (phew!).
I am starting to share a bit more widely than with immediate family and close friends but find it hard to deal with the 'head-tilt' of sympathy and the "how are you doing today?" which, whilst kindly meant, is a bit annoying when it is my aim that it changes my life and routine as little as possible.
How do other people communicate it and, if you have had similar experiences afterwards, how do you react/deal with it?
I guess there are always lots of questions but those are the things that I'm struggling with most at the moment. Thanks :)
Hi @toubabinknots Welcome to the club. Don't ever feel embarrassed you've done nothing wrong. Like you mentioned people give you that look..... you know the one. Just keep being you, I try to make fun of myself in a round about way, it kinda takes the edge of things and removes awkwardness. Offer up with the likes of anything you'd like to know about it? Without being sarcastic. It puts them at ease. That's my way but others might not be comfortable with that approach. Just keep being you that's who they know. Any one you meet in the future is still meeting you but they will only know you as you now . Happy trails
Hi there… I had the same problem, especially with my mom. I finally just had to be blunt and tell her to stop always asking me. I told her that I would let her know how I was feeling if I chose to… If not, don’t ask. But now that I have been dealing with my MS for the past 21 years, I have come to realize that the people who actually ask “how my doing“ really care about me. Sometimes it’s just easier to answer with “ I am fine, thanks for asking... how are you?“ and turn the conversation back to them. Sorry to say though, that “pity look“ never goes away, at least for me it hasn’t. Just try to remember that these same people have the best intentions. 😊