: I went to the grocery store this am, I have to have someone take me, I lost my ability to drive 19 years ago because of MS. As soon as I got in the store I pooped all over myself, absolutely no control, had to go back home and have cried all afternoon, I feel like I have no purpose in life anymore, kids are grown and gone, they sure don't need me, I live in the country can't drive anyway, my DH is supportive and understanding, if I didn't have him I would want to end it all. I'm not busy enough, I try to exercise every am, fix dinner and that's it, MS always lets me know it is here every day, every step I take, I hate it, I hate it, and nothing I can do. I'm sure there are others out there that feel like this. I just needed to talk to someone who knows, thank you for your patience

So sorry Poochie. Been there done that and it's the worst nightmare come true.
I feel what you are going through and there is nothing you can do, but laugh at it,
make fun of yourself and move on.

It's one of the reasons, I don't go out in social situation much anymore.

Poochie, I am so sorry. I have come might close to what happened to you but never all the way. It has happened at home several times though. I have run the scenario in my mind many times as to what I would do if it DID happen though because it has been that close.

Every one has a purpose on this earth. God put you here and He has a purpose. Even if it is sending cards out for a Sunday school class or being on the prayer chain because sometimes that's the only thing a body can handle. Some people read a book a tape it for some one who can't read.

(((Poochie)))

We who have this stupid disease, or any disease that takes control of basic body functions away, know that this is a nightmare we all are so afraid of-and it keeps many of us from leaving home

Might I suggest that you wear Depends or some other strong undergarment that can "catch" any accident you might have so at least you can clean up in the bathroom without having it all over you? You can carry a package of diaper wipes in your bag to help with any cleanup. I bought my late in laws undergarments that could be worn over the Depends as well to help keep the mess to a minimum.

Just by sharing your story, you have helped those of us who have also experienced this situation, and have made us feel less alone. Thank you for being courageous in sharing...we who have MS have a tendency to feel very alone with our experiences. Sharing with each other gives us so much support.

Know that we here "get it"--we all go through the thoughts that question our reason for being. Only the souls who have already passed know what we learn from our Earthly journey...and all the good we do just by sharing

Poochie-

MS sucks, no other way to say it. No regards to our wants or plans either. I send you a gentle hug. I hope in some small way it helps to know many have been there.

As hard as it is, try to forget it and look to tomorrow.

Poochie

Like the others have said alot of us miss out on social situations because of the uncertainty we have with certain bodily functions. And it's hard to explain to others who don't have to live with it.

I don't have any solutions but wanted to give you a hug and let you know you have a place to go where we all understand.

Poochie - I'm so sorry about your experience. I know how embarrassing that must have been for you.

It's hard to understand our purpose when we are alone and homebound. I think it's normal to feel that way. We all have a purpose in life. And our purpose, in a sense, changes. I am not able to do all that I used to be able to do. My girls are on their own and I am by myself most of the time. I don't particularly like it but it's just the way it is. My role as a hands on mom has shifted to a on-call support position. I do a little bit of typing work from home. I don't drive very far. My walking ability has decreased dramatically over the past several months. Because of all these changes, my purpose seems to have changed as well. I find I spend a lot of time praying for others. Doydie also gave some great ideas for things that we all can do from home.

Hang in there!!

Thanks to all of you, I knew you would understand, it is very hard to have MS and I always try to remember it could be worse, I will try the depends and diaper wipes but only when I go somewhere, but that won't be to often anymore. I think I want to stay at home. I'm sure I will get over this as time goes on.

oh honey,
pooch, i'm so sorry. i do understand and i'm sorry MS has impacted your life in such a way.

your dh sounds like a dream.
please don't give up.

I can remember a time when my MIL was still alive and wasn't wheel chair bound at the time but still pretty slow. She was one who thought you had to have a bowel movement every single day like clock work. She had no patience with a laxative. If she hadn't done her daily constitutional by 8 AM she would take some milk of magnesia. Well if no movement by 10 she would take something else. So we took her to Walmart one day. She loved to go costume jewelry shopping. After we got in the store she realized all the medicines were working n her. So I tried to rush her back to the bathroom as quick as I could. Well it didn't work. I mean as soon as she hit the door, no where close to the stalls yet, she had her pants down and she was going all over the floor, her pants, her legs, everything. And they were just all looking at me, not my MIL like how could I have allowed that to happen and what in the world was I going to do about it. Or at least this is what I imagined from their looks. I did the best in cleaning her up, asked her to stay in the stall, thank heavens for handicap stalls that are bigger, husband was outside waiting for me and I asked him to go buy a pair of sweat pants for her. I told her what her son was doing and she refused to wear them. She was not a woman who spent her money on things she didn't think she needed. She told me that we were going to walk out of that bathroom with our heads high and go to the front door. So that is what we did. I did have my jacket right behind her so that one couldn't see the mess but we walked right out of that store with our heads held high.

I learned a lot over the years from my mentally ill MIL