Eric, totally OK to post this here.

I am of a personal opinion, that especially when MS is involved, that when we get emotional over things, there is a physical reaction that can come quickly along with it. Hence, the reason 'stress' on the body/mind/spirit/soul is more detrimental to someone with an illness such as MS, than the average healthy individual.

Uncontrollable crying, can be pseudobulbar? Or grief? Build up, stress, so many emotions about your future, ability to participate in life, etc etc.

Were you friends, compassionate and empathetic? Did they call you up, later, even today to check in on you?!

What is bringing about the loss of license? Has your doctor asked you to not drive yet?

The girls I'm going to the fair with aren't really close friends, just people I know from going to the store and hitting it off with. I really like them so I said hell with it, I'll see if they wanna go.

It was weird...I was talking about driving and may have to give up my driving license if it gets worse and that is when I just went into a sudden emotional sadness and just blatted hard. They pulled up a chair for me and I sat down, because My legs got wobbly and I was shaking a bit. I think it was just a build up up everything and when I started talking about not driving anymore it sparked a fast and hard emotional response...most likely because it may be a reality. I couldn't believe I did it in the store in front of people I don't actually know as in close. I was wanting a hugg to show me they weren't freaked out, but I didn't get one and no, they never checked up on me. I'm a little disappointed and it makes me feel like they think I'm weird now, but they don't understand and they were just as shocked as me that night.

They did ask me several times if I wanted a ride home or at least to be followed home...

I watched Lauren Parrotts video about emotions and crying, but she says uncontollable crying and laughing just happen for no apparent reason in situations it shouldn't be happening...Like having fun at Chucky Cheese she can and does break out into tears.

Mine felt normal like having the news of your friend dying just told to you...that sudden feeling of despair, but it happened so fast and powerful and I could not control it at all. I have not went back there yet....it will be a while, because I don't want to explain that it could of been MS related... they wouldn't understand it I don't think. Plus I looked like a total wimp and drama queen that night lol... Being a man it was an ego blow you know? I mean like I am now some emotional "girl" in their eyes. It's embarrassing.

The doctor has not told me to give up driving, no one has...I've just been thinking about it lately and how it can be a reality. Having to ask people to take me places is going to be a big blow...I love my cars and driving....loading the bike and heading to the trail...all of that. If I can't drive I'll have to be like a drunk with no license bumming people fo rrides plus I wouldn't be able to go to the bike trail as often and.or stay as long as I want when I have someone driving me. I usually stay all day riding, but no one is going to wait for me that long and I'll be like a little kid, having to stop riding and be taken home.

I'm just not liking these thoguhts, but I can't help not thinking about them.

I don't know what I'd do, if I had to give up, driving, either. If I were to get a case of optic neuritis, that never recovered, I'd be devastated, to say the least, obviously, with lack of vision, comes no driving.

There are, driving aids, for those who lack mobility. What are they called?! When someone has prostetic leg, I recall stories of still being able to drive, they have to place pedals near the steering column, to modify! See, may not be so hopeless!!

I mentioned to someone, once...I'd like to 'see' the World, while I could still 'see.' While we are young, I said, not later in life, when g-d only knows what my illness could bring. Menopause, looms, around the corner. That's when most women say their MS gets worse....

I get the crying. It really is, grieving, in many ways. Even, if, some of it comes with the 'what if's', reality is...this dx exists in this forum, where, it doesn't exist for sooooo many people. Being fine now, doesn't guarantee the future.

Well, I take it, the ladies are still planning to go to the fair in July? Maybe, they could have thought, what you mentioned about someone who drank and drive and is about to lose their license? They saw your vulnerable side. Let your ego, enjoy the fair then

The year I was d'xd (2001) I lost my mum (cancer) my dad (hear attack) I lost my job (because I was so tired, forgot stuff and was generally not a good employee - although the customers loved me - even if my boss didn't like the way I walked, or that I was tired a lot and forgot stuff). Then I crashed my new car - not my fault, but my six year old daughter was in the back - luckily no major injuries for either of us, but $17,000 damage to the car.

Less than two years later, my son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a routine MRI found that I had a brain aneurysm, which resulted in open brain surgery, a craniotomy, and huge steroids because I have ITP as well as MS and a very long recovery.

So, guess what? Lots of emotional stuff, lots of easy tears, lots of 'emotional lability, moods swings, tears, anger etc. You know what? I still have those feelings today, although not near as often.

I told myself to 'toughen up' and stop being such a sook. I am sure my husband did (and still does) think the same way sometimes.

Looking back, I probably had every reason to be teary - if it was one of my friends, I would dispense all kinds of advice about being kind to ourselves and not to have unreasonable expectations.

So, my advice, no one wants to be labelled as being weak, and no-one seeks to have it on their resume. It just happens, it is life and you have to accept it, deal with it, and be a better person because you DO give a d@mn - about you and the people around you.

Living with a chronic disease and coping with all of the challenges and fears that it presents is hard. Look for, and accept help, there are reasons for everything, whatever you may be feeling now, there are lifelines and help available, Don't be scared to seek it out.
Just my thoughts.

Lynn - hats off to you. You are a strong woman.

Years ago when diagnosed, the neurologist called my GCP to let her know. She called me. I ended up crying at her kindness and concern and apologized for it. She said "You have the right to cry."

Nuedexta is quinidine and dextramathorphan. The combination helps strengthen the connection between the frontal lobe and the emotional center in the brain.
It helps keep me from overreacting or laughing when in a sad situation or sobbing when playing fun games with the adult kids.

For instance, I was once in a job interview at a publishing house, interviewing for an editor assistant position. the owner was showing me a book about a mother's journey after her child died. I suggested she should pair it with a journal for purchasers to use...and began sobbing.
Needless to say, I did not get the job...

Another time, we were playing Catchphrase and one of the kids misunderstood the word she was trying to describe. I laughed uncontrollably and then had to leave the room as I began to sob.

These types of over-inappropriate reactions are greatly reduced with the med...

I can drive with my legs and hands just fine, but I have trouble with dizzy spells and stuff like that and afraid someday I will have to give up my license because of it. It's not going to happen yet, but it just came up at the store that night and I let loose.

Yes, they are still going....I haven't been back to the store yet, but I doubt they'll not go because of my episode that night. Only one of them saw it, the other doesn't work there anymore. She lives about 50 miles away from there now and said she'd come to the fair with me... makes me feel nice.

I know they feel me because of my trouble I have with the "crap" but I also think they like me for stuff other than that....I'm cute, LOL, I ride my bike all over town(hopefully) I am a joker and prankster and I dunno.... I think they do feel a bit sorry for me and a bit sympathetic, but I think even without MS, I'd be friends with them. I mean they saw me in a slow, uneasy walk a few times, plus seeing my hands trembling on occasion. Sometimes I lumber around for words to say, and the fact I now have a handicap parking permit They know something's up with the crap I have and it's hard sometimes).

So yes, we'll be going to the fairXD. I can't wait.

I have PBA, dont take meds for it tho. Maybe I should but I hate taking meds and Im already on so many meds for other things. Im only 42yrs old and I had to stop driving 2yrs ago. MS took quite abit from me 2yrs ago but Im trying to push past that.

kittyLady

I'm like you, I hate taking meds for every little thing.

That's what I'm afraid of....that one day MS will take my driving away for good.
I hate how unpretictable this crap is and yo unever know when it will do some real damage. Apparently it took a chunk over the winter when I got sick...I feel way less energetic now than just last summer.

Oh and.......