The influence of stress.

 Daily life of MS is for most a struggle. The symptoms we struggle with on a daily basis and the unknown of the disease itself. There are so many stressors that come with MS that it can be exhausting.

 There are loads of stress factors and although they vary for each individual with MS differently, they still effect us. They are as simple as " what does today bring" ? Am i able to clean the house or drive my car today? Vision is one symptom of MS and for myself,some days i am just not able to drive,well maybe i am but I don't trust myself that particular day may it be my eyesight or my trembling leg.

 The mayor stressors are of course " am i in a flair" or exacerbation as it's also called or an attack. When the body attacks itself basically. I won't get into this as that's a whole new blog.

"THen there's Covid..........

Covid is a stress for everybody and although in the beginning of covid i was quite chilled about it. I figured not a lot of changes regarding lockdown for me,as I'm used to staying at home a lot.

How things can change. Firstly we are already a year into Covid,yes already one year into this damn virus. The stress we encounter on a daily basis is in my view huge. And this is for everyone. The Tv that brings fears into our lifes on a daily basis and the continuation of lockdowns and curfews are never ending. The rules and regulations that all has us confused and basically the world has come to a standstill.

 This article is not so much about Covid but more about Covid and MS. Now being a year into Covid I really believe it causes a lot of stress on top of our MS. Our life with MS is already stressful and unpredictable and we never know what each day brings us. Now throw in Covid, and the uncertainty of life or our regular routine gets put in the washer and brings a whole lot of unknowns on top of our MS.

I definitely had way more stress then usual due to Covid . Our families that we rely on are now all of a sudden in the unknown and feeling life is uncertain and maybe even some are depressed. As for myself i rely on my son and husband as my base, my safe base. Things are safe and my daily life with MS is uncertain. I don't see this as a bad thing but probably a very normal response when you have an ilness. You try to hold on to your safe anchor and your safe comforts because life with MS can certainly take that comfort away. When this changes due to uncertainty of covid on most people's life,it can definitely be a big stress factor. I've definitely encountered this myself and the uncertainty of life gives me a lot of stress. I think for those that have MS or any other ilness will find these times stressful. Of course our younger generation are suffering as well but we cannot forget that stress for MS can trigger all sorts of symptoms and set off a full exacerbation (flare). If it's one thing that's not good for us it's stress.

Not so bad...............

I disagree with this feeling i had of a year ago. I actually think that it's been very stressful and it does have a big impact on my MS. Not just emotionally and physically but also not being able to visit my neurologist who I visit yearly for my MRI. I have now missed out my second year of seeing my neurologist due to Covid and i am sure I'm not the only one. These appointments bring stress to me as i hate having a MRI,but they also bring comfort. Comfort of talking to my neurologist face to face and him telling me " keep doing what you are doing " you are doing well.  The comfort of him listening to me about my year of MS. These comforts have left . 

 Basically my whole network of my MS has vanished. Sure this doesn't happen to everyone but i live in a country where there is no MS specialist and no support group. I am the one that needs to fly to Amsterdam from France to be able to see some sort of support and have my yearly control. This year again i will miss out on my control. So I disagree with life doesn't change much for those that have MS,because in my view it definitely does change.

Support is so important now..........

More then ever we need the support at home more then ever. We need the reassurance of life and knowing our MS will be fine in these times. We need more love then ever. We need to know we can depend on our loved ones in these uncertain times. We are already vulnerable thanks to our MS and although not many people can understand this as it's invisible, I believe we are more susceptible to the stressors of the way life is now.

Mas x