How Patients Cope With The Impact of Multiple Sclerosis

Living with Multiple Sclerosis means coping with a number of daily challenges. These stories of people living with MS tell that fatigue, pain, brain fog, constipation, hands feeling swollen like balloons, feet on fire, tingling pins and needles are all daily problems to be dealt with.

I would like to share some of these stories from people who live with Multiple Sclerosis with the hope to inspire other people. Yesterday I asked how people with MS cope with the daily life on Multiple Sclerosis Support Facebook group. Here are some of the stories from them.

“The way I handle my fatigue is to take a nap. I try to rest without falling asleep. However, I have yet to master the art,” writes Desta from the group. She says she also forces herself to get up. That depends on when she rests. “If I rest in the early afternoon (1, 2, or 3), I am good for the night. If I rest late afternoon (4-5, or 6) I will have trouble sleeping. I also try to get up at 5AM for devotions and meditations. I also try to get in a half hour of stretching. I am usually ready by 7AM. I try to keep a routine so I can sleep at nights,” she adds. See how assistive devices can help people with MS.

Living with MS is like having fatigue, joint pains, heat rash, sometimes pins and needles and spasms, writes Jackie. “A lot depends on weather and how tired I am. Try and get a lot of rest. It’s easier now as I am retired and exercise.”

“My MS story is filled with fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, migraines and even memory loss,” writes Krissy. “I just take every day slowly. I try not to overwhelm myself. And I relax as much as possible.”

Cope With MS Symptoms by Making a To-Do List

Another group member, named Linda, writes that she rests every day after lunch time. Her memory is short. She uses a to-do list, which she writes on a binder. This helps her to remember the things she needs to do. Living life with Multiple Sclerosis and with a plan works for her and helps to get her life more organized.

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