[Blessings2You]

I'm sure I won't feel this way when/if I get to the point that I CAN'T get out and go places. I dread the day I don't have a choice, and have to depend on others.

That said, I really don't want to go anywhere. I postpone appointments if I can, and rarely make commitments to do lunch or whatever. I'm really anxious when I have to go somewhere, even if it's somewhere I WANT to go. I have no idea if I'm anxious because I don't want to go anywhere, or if I don't want to go anywhere because I'm anxious. Or the less I go, the more anxious I am when I DO go. *sigh*

I'm always exhausted when we go get groceries or something, so maybe it's just anticipating going places in a negative way.

I enjoy going for a ride, stopping here and there if we feel like it. I walk over and get the mail every day I possible can. And there are places I would enjoy going if they were closer (with bathrooms along the way). But in general, I have to make myself pull it together and go. Rats.

[Jodylee]

I feel the same way, B2y . The more time I spend at home, the worse it gets. I make excuses all of the time. I'm not sure what to do about this except force myself to go out. Even if it's just to get a cup of coffee somewhere.

[barb02]

I have noticed that this seems to be a trend among a lot of MSers. I wonder if it is true of others with chronic illnesses. I feel this way most evenings. Once I get home in the afternoon, I just want to put on my pj's and stay home. On the other hand I agree with Jodylee. I think you have to force yourself to go out occasionally or it may reach the point where you never get out. I am going to a Chicago concert next week on campus for family weekend. I use to love Chicago, but was contemplating not going because it is an evening concert, it will be noisy, and there will be alot of people there. But I decided that I wanted to try.

[knittenkitten]

I feel the same way, especially since we moved to NY. I love my house and my porches and yard and get so much enjoyment from then I don't want to leave them. Sometimes it seems like too much trouble to get myself around and go out. Plus, my car was having some body work done last year and was "in the shop" for about 8 months. I got used to my husband driving me places. Now I find I don't want to drive myself anywhere. He doesn't always want to take me places so I stay home. I thought it was because I was getting older.

[mochagirl13]

I know exactly how you feel. I used to love all the festivals and concerts Chicago has to offer. Now besides work, the grocery store and Dr.s office, I try not to go anywhere except my couch or the bathroom. If I didn't have to go to work I wouldn't leave the house most days. I used to love clothes shopping. With the drunk walking and constant fatigue I mostly shop online. Carson's just had their community days where you donate old clothes and get a coupon to be used on anything they sell. I love to buy my cosmetics and perfume that never go on sale. But the thought of it tires me out.

[Kitty]

I can totally relate to this. Sometimes I worry about this because I don't want to get to the point of never leaving my house. And it's quickly becoming like that. Circumstances play a big part. I don't have access to a car whenever I feel like going somewhere so that's a huge factor for me.....but even if I did - most days it would just sit in the driveway.

Pre-MS I was rarely ever at home. Now, I'm rarely ever NOT at home. But, I'm okay with it and thankful that I don't have to be anywhere at any certain time on any certain day. That would cause all kinds of anxiousness.

I guess what I'd like is to be able to be spontaneous again. Just decide on the spur of the moment that I want to go somewhere.....and just go. But, I know realistically, those days are over. And that's okay because I don't have the money or the energy to keep up with my pre-MS self.

[ali12]

I'm like all of you, I tend to stay at home more than go out. Kinda sad for a 16 year old

I've just started college and that is forcing me to go out. I'm there 4 days a week but only ever there for a few hours. That is the only time I really get to socialise with others my age, most other times i'm sat at home bored doing nothing. I do have a lovely college group, all the girls (and 2 boys) in my class are lovely and we are hoping to get together sometime soon outside of college so that should be fun

I can get really depressed when I don't go anywhere. I see others my age out having fun and it's what I want to do but realistically I can't. I don't have MS but have another chronic condition that has a lot of the same symptoms so most of the time it is too much of an effort to go out. Even washing hair, combing and drying it can take a lot of energy out of me

I do try and get out as much as I can. I don't want to be sat at home all of my life doing nothing. I'm young and want to do something with my hard. I know that I might have to work more for it more than others though and that there will sometimes be barriers in the way stopping me from doing what I want to do.

A lot of the time when I don't feel like going anywhere, my mum and I will just go out on a ride in the car. It helps even just to have a change of sceniery.

I understand what you are all saying and it isn't just with MS, I think it's with most chronic conditions!

I hope you all feel better soon!

[Kitty]

Hi Ali! It's good to see you again.

[Jules A]

I'm a homebody also but attributed it to the amount of time I spend working with the public. Now I wonder.

Like many of you I do worry about the time when I won't be able to go out and am concerned that I will wish I had spent more time out there while I can.

Blessings there is a component r/t to anxiety and if you think that might be causing you not to go places and enjoy yourself it would be worth exploration. Good thread!!

[SallyC]

Hi Aly.

I'm content to stay home now, but I wasn't always. I am pretty dependent on DD to take me to the Docs, once a year and that is pretty much it for me now.

I gave up my DL, but my van is still parked in my garage, on a trickle down battery charger, so I have, in the back of my mind, if I have to, I could get myself into that minivan and go....get your kids off the streets!!

I don't like my life as it is but am content to sit on my butt, watch TV, play on my puter, talk wich you guys, eat good schwans food and read on my Kindle...all in the company of my favorite companion "Pal" (who hardly ever argues with me.

The above paragraph shows just how spoiled I am. Oh and did I mention that my home, in which I'm forced to stay, is A/C, heated and paid for!!! I'd have a nerve (pardon the pun) not to be content, huh?

I'm an old fart though and when I was a bit more able in my 40s and 50s you couldn't keep me home unless I wanted to be home.