Feel like Quitting?

[Lulu54]

Well obviously you are not alone because this week's recurring message seems to be *I QUIT.*  

In case you didn't catch it, last week's theme appeared to be *FEAR*.

So many of our members have hit the proverbial wall one too many times and feel the need to stop pursuing answers.

I'm sure many of you have felt this at one time or another - what was it that got you back in the game trying to find answers?  

Any tips you care to share here that might be of use ?  Any stories of how you too quit, but not for long?

All I can think of is a good friends favorite song - High Hopes.  (just what makes that little old ant, think he can move that rubber tree plant....)

I hope all of you who feel that quitting is your only option will take a short break, but get back soon to pursuing what is rightfully yours- answers about your health.

my best to all of you,
Lulu

[PastorDan]

Thank you, Lu.  Never one to follow trends, I'm doing what I can to double down this week.  As for motivation when I was at rock bottom, I'd have to think about it.  One thing that hit me on more than one occasion was that a new symptom or a worsening of an old one would occur just at the right time to make quitting intolerable... though I thoroughly understand how that impulse develops in these circumstances.

[wadeheather]

I feel that way often.  I don't necessarily feel that way right now, but I also don't feel like having another doc tell me nothing's wrong.  So, I don't give up, I just haven't found the courage to look very hard. Usually what gets me back on the hunt is when the symptoms just make me crazy and I don't think that I can handle them any more. And the wheel keeps turning just like that - over and over and over.

I always remember what what on my friends told me not too long ago: "You have to be your own health advocate. No one is going to do it for you!"

[AmishErin]

The first year I had been diagnosed I was having lots of marital problems with my now ex husband.  We had just bought a house and I had changed jobs.  Then I got sick.  He stayed for almost a year and he quit.  He walked out.  Here I was for the first time in my adult life with no income whatsoever.  My youngest child was just 5 yrs old.

I wanted to quit.  I wanted to roll up in a ball and not do anything anymore... specially not continue to get sick.  

That was the worst for me.  I couldn't walk or see or not fall without breaking something.  I wasn't able to ever go back to work and my 3 children thought that when I retired I was going to have to go live with grandpa Simpson in the retirement home.  I think them being so scared made me have strength.

Now I can say that I have learned to walk 3 times in my life.  I remarried a wonderful kind man who loves my children like they are his own... and I started hoping for the future again.

Stress is so much of a factor in MS.  It is hard to live stress free but it helps.  When things are dark though I( like to think of something my grandmother used to say.  "This too shall pass"

And it does

[wadeheather]

Thanks for that, by the way.  Just writing that made get my wheel turning again.  Just left a message for a referral to a new Neuro.  Sometimes it's the little things.

Thanks for being here.
Heather

[HVAC]

I felt like quitting for the two years of diagnosis. Four neurologists, four MRIs, waiting two years for an LP.

I then was overwhelmed by fear of the unknown when first diagnosed I felt like quitting. I reached out for help.

I learned when I lose hope to grab on to somebody elses.

Alex

[michelleric]

These were all perfect for me to read tonight.
Thank you...

[Rena705]

All I know is that when the going got to the toughest point I could have imagined and I was constantly hitting my head against the wall...I GOT REALLY ANGRY...I mean REALLY angry!!!

I then decided that if I quit I am only quitting on myself and I wasn't going to give any stupid neurologist the benefit of "winning"!!  To He** with that idea!!!

With the help of many on here I stuck to my guns and while I still am not where I want to be I have managed to find a new Neurologist and I do have an appointment with him in September and at least I know that this Neuro is taking me seriously and is at least going to follow up with me.  My last one stated that my MS was "in-active" and left me hanging by the rope that should have been around her neck!!!

So...in conclusion, you have to realize that the only one you are hurting is yourself if you give up and the people here are a lifeline that you can't dismiss...they will get you through and there is a light at the end of the tunnel...it's just a few more miles down the road..like the Little Engine That Could...I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN...I KNOW YOU CAN...I did!

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[wadeheather]

I just recruited help from someone that I know that works for a chiropractic school.  Any help is good help. We all deserve to be healthy!  or at least happy!

[Becky559]

It is those days in which God has to rap his arms around me and say, be still! I am having one of those weeks,,,odd that alot of us are!  I have too much on my plate and peas are falling off. I just have to have faith and handle one thing at at time...and that "time" period is suited for whatever our own theshold is.  I have to remember that this life is a journey and I will get through it...and things will come together at some point when I least expect it.

Good wishes to you all

[Ufrustrated2]

Sure I think about it. But it doesn' last long.

But I know for sure I have an illness/abnormal CNS and no longer will buy into the "its in your head". I did that in the past. With this illness that was easy to be brainwashed that it was all in my head -- I say that, due to some lengths of time one feels ok, and others the odd fluish feelings, and other times your down for the count with equilibrium dances, or the headaches, or the unnormal fatigue. but it would go away. so i would think, "maybe they are right".  not anymore. this site has educated me and results have proven an issue is at hand.

now, thanks to this site, moving to new town with better friends helping to bring back the ol courage i had buried, the positive test results, and a few years of mind numbing symptoms, nope, quitting isn't an option. but i do lay low once in awhile to regroup. getting together with other veterans who have been through the same spin cycle has helped gather strength for the long haul also. i didn't have that for a number of years and just didn't think about it. too busy working and avoiding the issue back then.

our bodies are not lying to us, and we are all winners and have good to offer to the world - so there is no reason to give up. period!

[Lulu54]

Thanks for opening up here and sharing your thoughts.  For those of you who are in the midst of the *I quit* cycle, I hope the above lets you know that you are experiencing some very normal reactions.    Take heart that you are not alone - just tired and need the break to regroup and rejuvinate.  

My best of everyone,
Lulu

[meg321]

I have been in that place also and was in that deep, dark hole.  THought I couldn't get out but I did.

For me this disease does not let me quit..quitting means I will go back to that hole and I don't want to do that.  Mind you, it could happen, but I love my life too much and I keep trying to help myself so i can see some improvement.  Its a full time job.

Also, I do believe in miracles !!  and I talk to God a lot..my stress levels are almost non-existant now too.

Mind you, this only one day at a time, thats enough for me to work with.

I don't want anyone to quit here, we may need you !!

hugs, meg

[truelove47]

Lu,

I don't want to quit, but the more I read the more mixed up I get.

I really cannot understand this kooky disease at all.

I do wish I had a more educated mind,,lol

Wow, i give everyone who understand the process a really big Thank you because I can,t get it.  DUH                                 Be well                Linda

[Want to feel well!!!]

Nice thread.  

This forum is a good place to be when the wall is hit...encouragement and friendship can help one find the energy to go to one more appointment...one more doctor...one more test...

Wanna :o)

[SickMomma_PDX]

I go through bursts where I feel like giving up. I feel like the specialists I've seen aren't taking me seriously -- I'm still seriously angry with the rheumy who told me last year this time that I should "just push through it." Yeah like I hadn't tried that a billion times already. -- that there's no point in spending yet more money on co-pays and tests and prescriptions, etc. I postpone or cancel doctor appointments because I feel like there's no point.

I'm not sure what gets me trying again. It's probably that I'm clearly not getting better on my own. Often it's looking at my little girl growing up and wanting desperately to get off the sidelines of her life and back in the game. I think I feel like I owe it to my 4.5-year-old daughter and my very supportive husband to try to figure out what the heck is wrong with me and try to find a treatment that helps.

Sorry -- I know I'm not one of the more inspiring stories that got posted to this thread. I think that's because I'm in the phase of wanting to just give up. :-/

[Lulu54]

Linda,
Perhaps the next thread I do will be to ask everyone who understands this disease to line up on the left side and the rest of us who are bamboozled all the time by the MS  to go to the right side of the room.  I would bet you that 80% + would be on the *haven't a clue* side and tip the forum meeting room up on its end !  LOL

You know we shouldn't have to know so much about this disease - that's what the doctors are for and why they spent so many years of their life in school learning this stuff.  You just have to find the ones who know how to apply all that knowledge with a large dose of common sense and compassion.  

Lu

[Tammy826]

I'm still quite overwhelmed by what has been going on, especially with my sx. I'm quite frankly wishing I was more than a number! I have an appt to speak with a counselor on July 17th but today all the same stuff that happened a week ago has happen again today. I had ben feeling a little better but still no use in left hand & still dragging L leg. I was giggling with my daughter on the phone & about 30 min after hanging up I was trying to make my way through the house the BAM... the dizziness, felt like motion sickness, burning tingling feeling, & then the nausea hit. My head has hurt for the last 9 days, I feel like I'm in quick sand trying to move, so I guess even though I was in a pretty good mood the so-called anxiety & conversion disorder hit again (umm-hmmm yea right). Hubby called the DRs. office only to find it closed @ noon today, then called the on-call DR, who promptly prescribed me tramadol & phenergan. I started the Celexa yesterday in in BOLD letters on the Rx info it plainly says do not take with Tramadol???? Mabey their trying to kill me to get me out of their hair! I feel like I'm drowning here & no-one seems to care. I'm trying not to get discouraged but WOW....enough is enough! Please keep praying for me , only God seems to care at this point!

[ShadowsSister]

As all of you know a few months ago I went to the Edge a Very Dark Hole... What pull me back , was knowing I wasn't alone any more. I had all of you,,, Each of you in your own way had a hand in helping me realize I couldn't "give up" or throw in the towel, It wasn't the first time & most likely won't be the last time either.  The feelings of being alone, and in pain, lack of sleep can make anyone feel like giving up. Especially when we feel as though No One is listening to us, or understanding where we are coming from.
Today Thanks to all of you, I know some one will always be here for me and I can do the same for some one else.
Another thing that helps me, is realizing I am Not MS, it doesn't get to define me as a person, it is just some thing I live with. My life is so much Richer Today, thanks to all the acceptance's and support I have found here... So Again, I Thank Each Of You with all my Heart.
I Hope you know I am here for you to. Now that I have Mom's laptop I am able to check in while sitting on my Recliner, which makes it so much easier.