GREAT TIPS FOR COPING WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS LIKE MS

Living with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis (MS), brings a whole new set of changes and challenges to the scene.

The big changes are not only for you but also for those around you. Having lived with MS for almost 14 years, I can tell you that it is extremely important to have your family support you through the rough patches.

MS can be tough on your body, (physically), on your emotional health (mentally) and in the depths of your soul (spiritually). Now, this maybe just me, but the unpredictability of this particular illness is what really takes the cake!

Dealing with the unpredictability of a chronic illness like MS can be more difficult for some folks than others. Depending on your openness to acceptance.

I clearly remember that it was something that one of my favorite uncles said to me a while back what got my attention and move me to change: He told me “Don’t worry about the things that are out of your control”.

Stop!

Just think a minute and repeat these words out loud: “Don’t worry about the things that are out of your control”.

Let’s dissect this together:

We have been diagnosed with a chronic illness, an incurable one. There are, thank God, various drugs to help us deal with the main symptoms of this illness and manage our emotional health.

Life will go on. Life will continue with or without you. It will go on! So………. Why waste your precious and valuable time chewing on something that neither you nor anybody else, for that matter, can do ANYTING ABOUT!

Here are various strategies I have learned throughout these years and you can use them to help you cope with Multiple Sclerosis (MS):

HAVE A POSITIVE DISPOSITION

I know that it is quite difficult to be hopeful knowing that there is a big gap between being and feeling sick. The coming to terms with MS is not easy, specially with the idea of not ever having a regular life like before your diagnosis, but it pays to look at the brighter side:

• MS is not a terminal chronic illness and
• MS is not contagious

Try to keep a positive and hopeful outlook on life. Doing so is not only good for your emotional health but it will have an impact on those around you. Also, it has been scientifically proven that having and maintaining a positive attitude helps our bodies to fight illnesses.

EDUCATION

Educate your love ones and those closer to you. Many times, the problems originate in our family’s difficulties to cope with our condition. You can help then and help change that.

Enlighten them about the nature of MS, talk and discuss what should be their expectations and their attitude towards your Life with Multiple Sclerosis.

LEARN FROM THE CHILDREN

Have you ever watch a kid with a chronic illness? They are relentless.

Children seem to handle disability or illness like MS, much better than adults. That is because kids have great expectations about their future; they don’t easily lose their grip on their hopes of becoming better. It is this attitude what protects them from the debilitation they are or will be experiencing.

If you and me, as adults, can grab a hold of this attitude or learn to develop it, for sure it will be very beneficial. . You’ll be surprise.

DON’T BOTHER TOO MUCH ABOUT THE FUTURE

Don’t live your life somewhere that doesn’t exists. Grab hold of “the NOW” and by doing so, you will not have to be overpowered by fear of things that may or may not come.

This is a great and winning attitude seen in many people who are triumphant against a disease. And when I say triumphant is because I firmly believe that a chronic disease like MS can ravage my body all it wants but it can never own my mind or my soul. That part of me is totally free.

If you, like me, have Multiple sclerosis, basically just try to prepare when thinking about it but do not act like you have to control it. I discover a wonderful book that helped me learn to focus on the moment, on the Now and I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you are facing a chronic illness. The book is called The Power of Now.

The old saying “live one day at a time” kind of summarizes the feeling behind this idea. This would not prevent the relapse of your symptoms for sure but it will help you get through the day without it being overwhelming for you. And finally,

DON’T FEED YOUR PAIN

Because symptoms in MS are totally unpredictable and often can be life inhibiting, your best bet would be not to focus on them while being careful you don’t compromise your needs for treatment, therapy or rehabilitation.

Your attitude will often determine how well you live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the disabilities it causes.

I sure hope these strategies will serve you and help you as much as they have me.

HERE ARE A FEW ARTICLES ON THE SUBJECT YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL

• Living with Constant Illness Builds Courage

• 5 Simple Words to Keep Chronic Illness at Bay
• Make a Place for Your Illness
• Take Control of Your Life
• Coping with the Stress of Unending Illness

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