[GladysD]

Was thinking about this and my own life. I attributed frustrations with my depressive disorder, but am now wondering, if it's more this, than that?

I've been in an out of counseling, most of my life. It's a wonder, I still even am here, on this Earth. But I keep plugging away.

I do get frustrated as a parent, when they scream and yell and fight and I am often left asking what's normal and what's not normal.

Does ones emotions change as they get older? Am I having a mid life crisis? Am I susceptible to angry little micro-bursts and not even realize that I am doing it?! Because of my lesions?! Do I really not have the ability to be mindful, due to lesions? Is the heat in the kitchen getting to me?! Or is it something else?!

I really need to get back to a neurologist. It's the little things like this, that crop up, unaware. And here I was feeling that seeing a counselor and pdoc was enough to deal with this aspect. I need new MRI's...

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ges/index.aspx

"Emotional Lability

Emotional lability or “moodiness” may affect persons with MS and is manifest as rapid and generally unpredictable changes in emotions. Family members may complain about frequent bouts of anger or irritability. It is unclear if the emotional lability observed in MS stems from the distress related to the disease or if it is caused by some changes in the brain. Whatever the cause, emotional lability can be one of the most challenging aspects of MS from the standpoint of family life. Family counseling may be very important in dealing with emotional lability since mood swings are likely to affect everyone in the family. Severe mood swings respond well to low doses of the anticonvulsant medication valproic acid (Depakote®)."

[karilann]

I found myself with anxiety issues. Once I found the right medications for anxiety, I felt much better.
I'm not sure anxiety was caused by the M.S. I think I've been anxious all my life.

I applaud you for addressing the issue and hope you find some help.
I think depression/anxiety is a "which came first, the chicken or the egg" question as far as how it relates to M.S.

[EricP]

The other night I broke into a breakdown right in the middle of the store where I met the girls I am going to the fair with. It was something about driving and how I may have to give up my license at some point. I just ended up grabbing my face and having an uncontrolled bout of crying right in the store in front of one of the girls I know, a co-worker of hers and one of her friends. They were in shock as well as I and I felt wicked embarrassed.
Yesterday half my arm from the elbow down felt numb plus my pinky and the finger feeling numb on the same arm. It lasted for most of the day and today it still feels weird and a bit slow. It's weird I can move my middle finger fast on that hand, but my pinky and other finger I can barely move.

It was so bad at the store that night that her friend asked how I was going to get home...I was shaking and everything else. She asked if I wanted her to drive me home. I calmed down and said no.

I never acted like that in public ever....in my life..... I got very emotional in just a few seconds....I mean like I just found out my best friend got hit by a car or something, emotional. In just a split second.

I was going to make a thread, but I'll just place this hear..

[SallyC]

You're both right. the chicken may have come first, but MS
brought it to a head. I've had mild anxiety all my life, but
I didn't have anxiety attacks until MS. Depression came after
or with the MS. Neuro/Psych said it all can be, and in my case
was, caused by MS.

Paxil saved my life and now on Prozac. Don't even want to
try and live without it. Anger goes with!!

[Debbie D]

Pseudobulbar Affect Syndrome is associated with MS...it the overreaction emotionally as well as inappropriate reactions that led my neuro to prescribe Neudexta, which helps immensely...

[GladysD]

Originally Posted by karilann

I found myself with anxiety issues. Once I found the right medications for anxiety, I felt much better.
I'm not sure anxiety was caused by the M.S. I think I've been anxious all my life.

I applaud you for addressing the issue and hope you find some help.
I think depression/anxiety is a "which came first, the chicken or the egg" question as far as how it relates to M.S.

I am certain I've had anxiety since I was a teenager. I remember once having an EKG. Hmmm, that didn't turn up a thing I feel that was back before they were giving medications to kids? Or perhaps, I was living with my mom, at that point, and she wasn't the therapy type, my dad was, but they were divorced when I was young. I've grown up on both sides of the 'argument', the polarizing one. (therapy v. non therapy, meds v. non meds)

I've used anxiety meds before, and they did work. But I had some serious reactions the last time around, and have stepped back, considering the side effects that I had mentioned. Ugh. My anxiety med was a combo ad/anti anxiety. [Worked]Great when I lost my mom and divorced(same time frame).{[just not this time around]}

Yes, which came first, chicken/egg, emotions/ms? hmmm...for me, I feel I know my answer just writing that one out...thanks

[GladysD]

Originally Posted by Debbie D

Pseudobulbar Affect Syndrome is associated with MS...it the overreaction emotionally as well as inappropriate reactions that led my neuro to prescribe Neudexta, which helps immensely...

Never heard of that one? What does it do? If you don't mind sharing? [neudexta that is]

[GladysD]

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?

Originally Posted by EricP

The other night I broke into a breakdown right in the middle of the store where I met the girls I am going to the fair with. It was something about driving and how I may have to give up my license at some point. I just ended up grabbing my face and having an uncontrolled bout of crying right in the store in front of one of the girls I know, a co-worker of hers and one of her friends. They were in shock as well as I and I felt wicked embarrassed.
Yesterday half my arm from the elbow down felt numb plus my pinky and the finger feeling numb on the same arm. It lasted for most of the day and today it still feels weird and a bit slow. It's weird I can move my middle finger fast on that hand, but my pinky and other finger I can barely move.

It was so bad at the store that night that her friend asked how I was going to get home...I was shaking and everything else. She asked if I wanted her to drive me home. I calmed down and said no.

I never acted like that in public ever....in my life..... I got very emotional in just a few seconds....I mean like I just found out my best friend got hit by a car or something, emotional. In just a split second.

I was going to make a thread, but I'll just place this hear..

[EricP]

Originally Posted by GladysD

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.

[GladysD]

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

Originally Posted by EricP

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.