Aa
Irrational Fear??
I was only dx on Tuesday this week (its now Thursday morning Down Under). I WAS ok on Tuesday evening, but havebeen an emotional wreck since. Can't stop blubbering.
But the main problem is FEAR, and its a dumb dfear, because I already asked the question last week - is it ok to have a flu shot while you are having a relapse? I'm booked for one today, but I am so scared and depressed I don't know if it's a good idea. I am scared it'll set me back relapse-wise as I am just beginning to feel better. I am scared of adverse reaction to the shot , which has happened a fair bit this year for some reason, but maily to children. I've nto had an adverse reaction before with a flu shot, bar a sore arm.
So logically my brain is saying, dont be stupid.
But the tears wont stop, and the fear wont go away.
Should I maybe talk to the MS nurse at the local MS society first or something?
Any advice?
My son goes back to school next week and it is mid-winter here, so peak flu season. Logic again says, get your shot.......
I sound like a moron....please help
Jemm
But the main problem is FEAR, and its a dumb dfear, because I already asked the question last week - is it ok to have a flu shot while you are having a relapse? I'm booked for one today, but I am so scared and depressed I don't know if it's a good idea. I am scared it'll set me back relapse-wise as I am just beginning to feel better. I am scared of adverse reaction to the shot , which has happened a fair bit this year for some reason, but maily to children. I've nto had an adverse reaction before with a flu shot, bar a sore arm.
So logically my brain is saying, dont be stupid.
But the tears wont stop, and the fear wont go away.
Should I maybe talk to the MS nurse at the local MS society first or something?
Any advice?
My son goes back to school next week and it is mid-winter here, so peak flu season. Logic again says, get your shot.......
I sound like a moron....please help
Jemm
Stay in today, but feel good about it. Monday, monday is your going draggin, lol. And for today's recipe: Treat yourself nicely Jemmy!
You are not a failure - you just NEED to be good to yourself and get through each minute and hour best you can.
No beatings!
(((hugs)))
shell
You are not a failure - you just NEED to be good to yourself and get through each minute and hour best you can.
No beatings!
(((hugs)))
shell
I'll second what everybody has said about the flu mist. That's what they used on us in the Army during flu season while in Basic Training. There was no option, it was required to have unless you could prove you were allergic to it.
One person got the flu so bad they had to be hospitalized. About 65% of the rest of the Company had the flu at one stage or another. For me it was pretty bad, but I was able to continue training. I think I had my first exacerbation that caused a permanent symptom shortly after this flu shot. But I was not dx with M.S. at the time, so who knows? It could be "inivisible" stress fractures (on a bone scan) after all - lol.
One person got the flu so bad they had to be hospitalized. About 65% of the rest of the Company had the flu at one stage or another. For me it was pretty bad, but I was able to continue training. I think I had my first exacerbation that caused a permanent symptom shortly after this flu shot. But I was not dx with M.S. at the time, so who knows? It could be "inivisible" stress fractures (on a bone scan) after all - lol.
Hi, no I didn't yet. Stupidly yesterday I felt physically ok but emotionally a write-off, so postponed it to today, then woke up today feeling physically bleugh, so postponed it again.
I just read your post properly Shell.......good idea. My sister offered to drag me around this morning and I said no......she can do the same monday so maybe I should ask her to do what you said, becasue she is back to work on tuesday and then that time will be lost.
I feel such a failure.....guess I'd best avoid crowds (dont like crowds anyway) till I get this blooming shot done..
I just read your post properly Shell.......good idea. My sister offered to drag me around this morning and I said no......she can do the same monday so maybe I should ask her to do what you said, becasue she is back to work on tuesday and then that time will be lost.
I feel such a failure.....guess I'd best avoid crowds (dont like crowds anyway) till I get this blooming shot done..
Hey Jemm!
You feeling any better? Did you get the shot?
You did the right thing by letting us in on this ya know! We're not only here to support and educate, we're here to drag you through it ....crying, or kicking and screaming, when we have too - lol
My thoughts are to use someone close to you who is willing to bring you to a few places one day even against your will.
Just tell them to make you go through with it (write a list of to-do's), no matter what. You are probably not just overwhelmed by these few things and fear, and the unknown -- it's probably a combo of everything, i.e, the dx, what you have going on in life in general, the kids, dealing with not functioning, feeling like you "just can't do it."
I highly recommend the drag method. So, all you have to do on that day is get dressed and ready. Make them do the driving, thinking, everything that comes along w/the list!
Here for you...
-Shell
You feeling any better? Did you get the shot?
You did the right thing by letting us in on this ya know! We're not only here to support and educate, we're here to drag you through it ....crying, or kicking and screaming, when we have too - lol
My thoughts are to use someone close to you who is willing to bring you to a few places one day even against your will.
Just tell them to make you go through with it (write a list of to-do's), no matter what. You are probably not just overwhelmed by these few things and fear, and the unknown -- it's probably a combo of everything, i.e, the dx, what you have going on in life in general, the kids, dealing with not functioning, feeling like you "just can't do it."
I highly recommend the drag method. So, all you have to do on that day is get dressed and ready. Make them do the driving, thinking, everything that comes along w/the list!
Here for you...
-Shell
I was so jacked up on fear prior to diagnosis and then after it almost wrecked my life. I was afraid of the cost associated with MS. I was afraid of what it would do to my relationship with my husband. I was afraid of the unknowns with MS. A year after the diagnosis I have dealt with the fear.
First of all I got a good counselor and talked to a psychiatrist. I joined a support group. Finally I focus on what I can do. Yesterday a buddy of mine and I did two hours of water aerobics and I had my third horseback riding lesson. I did decent posting trot. I have not ridden since the early nineties.
Oh and after I was diagnosed I went up in a hot air balloon, something I always wanted to do. Now I am thinking of riding in a glider.
I got the chance to meet Wendy Booker last year she has climbed all the highest peaks on six continents. She tried Everest but did not make it. She said even if going to the mail box is your Everest do it. She had never climbed and Denali was her first mountain.
Fear has been a theme in my life. I either get stuck, get too angry, or I recognize fear and accept it and keep going even though I am fearful.
I was mauled by a German Shepherd at 5 years old. My face was removed. I went on to train dogs. I have three large dogs now. When the German Shepherd at the Horse Farm rushes me I stay calm and he leaves me alone.
With my double vision and vertigo I climbed three story ladders every day not knowing I had MS. Learning to drive with double vision was scary. I not only learned how to drive but I drove medium size trucks while doing air conditioning. I was scared to death. I also had the fear of being the only woman doing commercial plumbing or a/c.
Part of it is admitting you feel the fear and part is going on with your life and not letting the fear consume you.
Alex
First of all I got a good counselor and talked to a psychiatrist. I joined a support group. Finally I focus on what I can do. Yesterday a buddy of mine and I did two hours of water aerobics and I had my third horseback riding lesson. I did decent posting trot. I have not ridden since the early nineties.
Oh and after I was diagnosed I went up in a hot air balloon, something I always wanted to do. Now I am thinking of riding in a glider.
I got the chance to meet Wendy Booker last year she has climbed all the highest peaks on six continents. She tried Everest but did not make it. She said even if going to the mail box is your Everest do it. She had never climbed and Denali was her first mountain.
Fear has been a theme in my life. I either get stuck, get too angry, or I recognize fear and accept it and keep going even though I am fearful.
I was mauled by a German Shepherd at 5 years old. My face was removed. I went on to train dogs. I have three large dogs now. When the German Shepherd at the Horse Farm rushes me I stay calm and he leaves me alone.
With my double vision and vertigo I climbed three story ladders every day not knowing I had MS. Learning to drive with double vision was scary. I not only learned how to drive but I drove medium size trucks while doing air conditioning. I was scared to death. I also had the fear of being the only woman doing commercial plumbing or a/c.
Part of it is admitting you feel the fear and part is going on with your life and not letting the fear consume you.
Alex
You know, before Tuesday, I would come in here maybe once a week, ahve a look at whats happened, comment where I thought I should...NOW....first web page I open.
Thanks so much for your support and kind words.
I just had 1/12 hours with the MS nurse at the local MS Society. Was like an hour with Dawn French (brit comedian). I feel a lot better.
I am NOW ready for my flu shot tomorrow. Hopefully TOMORROW I wont wake up freaking out again!
Thanks so much for your support and kind words.
I just had 1/12 hours with the MS nurse at the local MS Society. Was like an hour with Dawn French (brit comedian). I feel a lot better.
I am NOW ready for my flu shot tomorrow. Hopefully TOMORROW I wont wake up freaking out again!
I took the 24-48 hours after my dx to wallow - tears, ignoring phone calls, all that good self-destructive stuff. Some people may need more, but I think it is pretty normal and your emotions right now are more related to that shock than the worry over the flu shot.
Research our discussions here about the flu shot and you will find that Q and most of the rest of us strongly advocate getting the vaccine. What you absolutely do not want it the flu mist - it contains live virus and does crazy things with our immune system. The shots are not a problem.
It's great to read about the services in Australia. I hope you will take advantage of those if it is appropriate for you.
be well, be wise
Lulu
Research our discussions here about the flu shot and you will find that Q and most of the rest of us strongly advocate getting the vaccine. What you absolutely do not want it the flu mist - it contains live virus and does crazy things with our immune system. The shots are not a problem.
It's great to read about the services in Australia. I hope you will take advantage of those if it is appropriate for you.
be well, be wise
Lulu
Hi there,
have a good cry, it releases the tension, I am glad that you have a good girlfriend to talk to, it helps.
Remember everyone's MS is different, and the course is different, just because you have MS it doesn't mean that you will need to be in care etc.
Most people with an MS diagnosis are still active and not disabled after a 10 years with the diagnosis, of cause everyone is different but hopefully you will fall into the mild catagory, and with DMDs these days they make a huge difference to peoples exacerbations and slow the progression down even more, so the outlook is much more positive.
The number I was talking about is on the Australian MS website, but they put you thru to a clinic that is nearest to you, sometimes you even get to speak to a neuro, it is great!
I do hope your neurologist is putting you on DMDs the research is sooner is best, not later, infact my neuro would rather put you on them straight away, even with just one lesion as research in Australia is saying that this is the best way to go, but i think for funding they still need two lesions to beable to start you on them.
If you can't find the number I can private message it to you, i have burst into tears on the phone too, so don't feel bad, you have every right to feel scared, upset etc., i think they are used to it, i ended up talking to my neuro as the call centre located me to the MS Centre attached to my neuro's office (the closest one) and when I was worried I think they put him on to talk to me about my symptoms and pain management, so it was great!!
The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine.
Take care,
thinking of you Udkas (Australia)
have a good cry, it releases the tension, I am glad that you have a good girlfriend to talk to, it helps.
Remember everyone's MS is different, and the course is different, just because you have MS it doesn't mean that you will need to be in care etc.
Most people with an MS diagnosis are still active and not disabled after a 10 years with the diagnosis, of cause everyone is different but hopefully you will fall into the mild catagory, and with DMDs these days they make a huge difference to peoples exacerbations and slow the progression down even more, so the outlook is much more positive.
The number I was talking about is on the Australian MS website, but they put you thru to a clinic that is nearest to you, sometimes you even get to speak to a neuro, it is great!
I do hope your neurologist is putting you on DMDs the research is sooner is best, not later, infact my neuro would rather put you on them straight away, even with just one lesion as research in Australia is saying that this is the best way to go, but i think for funding they still need two lesions to beable to start you on them.
If you can't find the number I can private message it to you, i have burst into tears on the phone too, so don't feel bad, you have every right to feel scared, upset etc., i think they are used to it, i ended up talking to my neuro as the call centre located me to the MS Centre attached to my neuro's office (the closest one) and when I was worried I think they put him on to talk to me about my symptoms and pain management, so it was great!!
The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine.
Take care,
thinking of you Udkas (Australia)
Thanks so much for your kind words.....I am not yet on any drugs, so that isn't an issue...I got a flu shot manufactured in the Netherlands by Solvey?? if it was Chinese made I reckon I'd thrown it in the bin.
I ended up phoning the MS nurse at tha ACT MS Society adn am having a counselling session with her this arvo. And I changed the flu shot appointment to tomorrow. I think the girl at the clinic thought I was mental, as I burst into tears down the phone. But she was good - this clinic is the ......oh my memory.........umm centre for infection disease prevention head office place, and she said the flu incidence so far this year is really low, so not to panic.
Then I rang my best mate, and burst into tears. We are both single mums. I said, "Who is going to look afte rme?" and she reminded me how years ago we had planned for when our sons had grown and left home, that we would pool our resources and buy a house on some acres together and be labelled a pair of old lesbians by the locals (we are NOT!) - she said that plan still stands and she will look after me.
So .......I feel still teary but not so alone and scared.
Thanks guys....
I ended up phoning the MS nurse at tha ACT MS Society adn am having a counselling session with her this arvo. And I changed the flu shot appointment to tomorrow. I think the girl at the clinic thought I was mental, as I burst into tears down the phone. But she was good - this clinic is the ......oh my memory.........umm centre for infection disease prevention head office place, and she said the flu incidence so far this year is really low, so not to panic.
Then I rang my best mate, and burst into tears. We are both single mums. I said, "Who is going to look afte rme?" and she reminded me how years ago we had planned for when our sons had grown and left home, that we would pool our resources and buy a house on some acres together and be labelled a pair of old lesbians by the locals (we are NOT!) - she said that plan still stands and she will look after me.
So .......I feel still teary but not so alone and scared.
Thanks guys....
The mist vaccine was the problem - it uses fragments of the virus, which we are more susceptible to. The flu shot will be just fine.
Hi Jemm,
I am so sorry to hear that you got diagnosed but at least you do have an answer now for all your symptoms, with this it can bring more fear (of the unknown) and relief to finally have an answer, as Tonya has said it's normal to be on an emotional rollercoaster.
Now I live in Australia too and I know that the adverse reaction to the flu vaccine was to a certain type of vaccine, they are not using this now, and it was only in young children.
My MS Specialist told me to have the Swine Flu needle and the normal flu, he said that the risks associated with the flu was much more worse, or likely to be than having an adverse reaction to the flu. If you have fears about having these injections talk to your MS nurse or your specialist about this. I was worried too as I have TM and TM can be caused in some cases by an adverse reaction to a vaccine. I am pleased to report I have had my injections with not any side affects.
Where I live the MS Specialist Clinic is an out patient clinic but still part of our state hospital, in the building where they hold the clinic they have access to counselling, incontinence nurses, research, library etc. etc., physio, it's all a one stop shop for MS. I was allocated (or introduced to a nurse who is like my case manager if I have any fears etc. I can ring her and she talks to my neuro and he will ring me etc.or convey his thoughts through her), I am sure most MS clinics run that way in Australia.
I am assuming to that you will taking some DMD so you would be allocated a nurse to help with this? Have a chat to them.
Also in Australia there is a toll free MS number where you get to talk to a nurse who specialises in MS, it's great to just chat and ask advice.
This forum is great too, many people help and it's a great place just to vent, I am sure if I was diagnosed with MS I would be elated to have a name for my weird symptoms and then it would be fear of the unknown, so it would be a normal reaction. I hope you have lots of people to support you, talk about how you feel, if not access this phone line as they are great, caring and informative.
Take care,
Cheers,
Udkas (Australia)
I am so sorry to hear that you got diagnosed but at least you do have an answer now for all your symptoms, with this it can bring more fear (of the unknown) and relief to finally have an answer, as Tonya has said it's normal to be on an emotional rollercoaster.
Now I live in Australia too and I know that the adverse reaction to the flu vaccine was to a certain type of vaccine, they are not using this now, and it was only in young children.
My MS Specialist told me to have the Swine Flu needle and the normal flu, he said that the risks associated with the flu was much more worse, or likely to be than having an adverse reaction to the flu. If you have fears about having these injections talk to your MS nurse or your specialist about this. I was worried too as I have TM and TM can be caused in some cases by an adverse reaction to a vaccine. I am pleased to report I have had my injections with not any side affects.
Where I live the MS Specialist Clinic is an out patient clinic but still part of our state hospital, in the building where they hold the clinic they have access to counselling, incontinence nurses, research, library etc. etc., physio, it's all a one stop shop for MS. I was allocated (or introduced to a nurse who is like my case manager if I have any fears etc. I can ring her and she talks to my neuro and he will ring me etc.or convey his thoughts through her), I am sure most MS clinics run that way in Australia.
I am assuming to that you will taking some DMD so you would be allocated a nurse to help with this? Have a chat to them.
Also in Australia there is a toll free MS number where you get to talk to a nurse who specialises in MS, it's great to just chat and ask advice.
This forum is great too, many people help and it's a great place just to vent, I am sure if I was diagnosed with MS I would be elated to have a name for my weird symptoms and then it would be fear of the unknown, so it would be a normal reaction. I hope you have lots of people to support you, talk about how you feel, if not access this phone line as they are great, caring and informative.
Take care,
Cheers,
Udkas (Australia)
Your feelings are not uncommon.And, you may continue to have ups and downs for a while to come...That's Ok! I was dx last november and Still have "Those Days"
I think for you...That you would feel much better if you did talk to your nurse or the MS socoety. Do you have an MS support Group in your area??
I do not feel it would be fare for me to give you advise on the Flu shot because you need to do what YOU need to do! Some may say go ahead and do it..they have no problems w/ it...But in this situation, I think you need to go w/ your intuition and talk to someone who is overseeing you and then if you still are not sure.....Then don't worry about it. You can think on it foe another day.
The Emotional Roller Coaster you are on.......Is Ok....It is a part of trying to digest a dx you have been givin that there is no cure for (as of yet ;) ) I posted after I got a Firm dx that even though MS was suspected for a couple years, REALLY HEARING it...and SEEING those words on paper.....well the emotions run so high. It is a relief, but also a very REAL and Scary place to be!
Please know that we are hear for you. Take Care,
~Tonya
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