How do you do it?

[ccorina]

I just have to say "wow" to all you amazing people who work, go to school, raise young ones, ect.

I worry about myself because I can't do any of that. I can't do anything for more than an hour without needing complete rest to recover.

My First attack a year and a half ago I had to quit work due to pain and overwhelming fatigue which I never recovered from.  

Now I have to quit school ( distance Ed) because of extreme fatigue and cognitive issues since my attack in dec. it took me three tries to get the months of the year right yesterday!

And then I can't go out of my house without being pushed in a wheelchair so u have to depend on my kids or husband. My independence is gone.

Well I guess this is just whining but I admire all you guys do and it makes me wonder why I'm so useless.  Anyone else like me?  

Corina

[ccorina]

hoping for some comments....

[sarahw244]

I don't know if I have any advice for you, but I can somewhat relate.  I just dropped out of school a few months ago now.  I received my degree in May, but was going on for one more year to further my education.  I made it through the semester last semester, but I had to drop out of my clinical which means I would have had an extra semester added on.  Then this semester, I dropped everything all together, which sux because I would be graduating in May.  Now I have a whole year to finish if/when I go back.

I have 2 children too, ages 9 and.  My husband helps sometimes, other times, not so much.  It does get frustrating!  I do get a lot of help with my kids from my mom and when I went to school, I was very blessed to have her.  If it wasn't for her, I would have never made it as far as I did!  She helped me keep up with the housework; did dishes, laundry, vacuumed, etc.  My husband didn't seem to get it then.  He is getting better, though.

Part of the reason I dropped out of school was the cognitive issues.  I was beginning to have a hard time keeping up.  It was also the physical stuff as well.  All the clinical stuff was physically hard on me.  I had a hard time with my instructors understanding at first because I have tremors and I would shake when trying to draw up syringes, do things with IV's, etc.  They always thought it was because I was nervous, lol!  I almost got kicked out of a clinical last year because of it before I talked with the instructor.  They said I was "unsafe".

I am also really lucky in that I have a REALLY understanding boss!  I was able to take an extended leave of absence from work last year to see if that would help me keep up.  Unfortunately, it didn't, but at least I got to try...

I hope things get better for you!  I am sorry that I don't really have any advice, just wanted to let you know I know where you're coming from.
Take care!
Sarah

[saucygrl]

I'm very lucky to have a job that isn't super stressful or busy at this point.  I've made my share of mistakes because of cognitive issues and made a few people mad over it.  There are sticky notes all over my desk and tons of notes in my calendar so I don't forget things. I have fellow employees write everything down that they ask me to do.  I plan to work as long as I'm able because it gets me up and moving even when I really don't feel like I can.  Acupuncture has really helped me to get my balance back to a place where I can move around again without hitting the walls.  Usually I am very exhausted by the time I get home and have that same "useless" feeling.  I think it's something most of us deal with from time to time.  It's the most frustrating for me when my kids ask me to do something with them and I just know that I don't have the energy to do it anymore.  Unfortunately my house usually looks like a mini tornado went through it.  My primary doctor gave me antidepressants and that sure helps my mood.  Try to look at the positives although I know at times that can be down right hard!!  Hope that helps and wishing you the best!!  

[saucygrl]

I am also really lucky to have a VERY understanding boss and people at my office who are willing to cover for me when I can't come in.  If not for that, I wouldn't be working.

[ccorina]

Thanks for the replies.  

Sarah:  That really sux that you had to quit school.  I'm only  a year and a half into my degree and not getting any younger! :)  I can't imagine doing a clinical.  Luckily if I ever go back , my practicum willl involve sitting down talking to people!

Suacygrl:  thanks for your comments.  I tried antidepressants for pain a couple of times and my heart rate plummeted to 40 and I slept probably 20 hours out of the day!

Corina

[saucygrl]

Welbutrin actually gives me a little energy.  Right now I'm trying to deal with  having headaches all the time and the medication my neuro gave me drops my blood pressure too. I see him tomorrow to try and figure something out.  I hope you find some help and sending you hugs and prayers!!!

[figuerpa]

I had to quit working when my MS started up because I was on my feet for 8-12 hours a day 6 days a week and could no longer do that.

I went back to school to find a career in which I can work without being on my feet all the time but yet not sitting all the time because sitting too long makes me really stiff and can't move very good till I stretch out and walking/standing too long jsut doesn't work.

I am at the end of my second year of school and should be graduating but I am not because I can't take all those classes at once because it overwhelms me so I take 3 classes at the most in a quarter. I should be finished with school by next spring :)


I hope you can find a happy medium somewhere along the way and things start looking up for you!

Good luck,
Paula