Need some advice - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

jenall1225 · 04-16-2005, 07:50 PM

Looking for some input/feedback.

I seem to be having an even harder time right now with my fatigue. I think I may even be depressed, but how do you know? I have a history of depression, but it very well may have been fatigue the whole time. I have been very easily irritated, impatient, tired, achey, etc... and am aggravated with everyone it seems. I mean, I try not to let my aggravation show, I just avoid everyone. I have been on so many antidepressants in the past, I am not sure I want to go back on, because what if it is not depression??

It feels like I have just been dx with MS, although I was told I had it in 1993 after going paralyzed for 3 months on left side, and lesions were there, etc.. I just found out that the one large lesion I had in 1993 is now a black hole (2.5 cm) filled with fluid with no chance of the cells coming back, so those functions are gone.

I pretty much put it out of my mind back then, and so did everyone else I guess. So, if I was walking around and looked fine, I must be ok... I just look back over the past several years, and see myself getting more tired, weaker, nonmotivated, etc... Not just when I had a flare, but just as a whole..

How can you tell if it is depression or Fatigue?? I mean it does not help that I am in pain almost all the time, I have 2 small kids, own a bz, and married... Maybe it is all too much.. Any ideas. Thank you!

tooobuzi · 04-17-2005, 06:36 AM

I understand how you feel. Unfortunately I have no official dx from a neuro, I have had two other doctors say they feel that it has to be MS. I am one of those living in limbo land.

Here is where I can relate to how you feel. I too own a business, have two teenagers (worse than little ones?), and a live in boyfriend (may as well be married.) I really started having severe symptoms around October. The fatigue was unbelievable. I had always been a person on the go and to suddenly have to just stop changed my world. It made me so upset. I don't know if my frustration was becoming depression. I just got mad and kind of fought it off. When I had my neuropsychological done that doctor told me to reduce my work hours and to make sure I was eatting several small meals a day. That was crazy for me to even think about. I was working about 60-68 hours a week, and who had time to stop for lunch let a lone several small meals. But I did it and it helped a lot. I saw the fatigue reduce drastically. I still don't have the energy I used to but it has really helped.

I don't know what kind of business you have but I am in contracting. It is extremely stressful -as is any business i think. Don't allow your business to run you.

I really hope things get better for you soon.
Ronda

happycamper000 · 04-17-2005, 04:13 PM

jenall1225, sorta know where you're coming from. Have had similar problems.
"There's nothing wrong with him he gets around just fine" that happy thought was from my dad. When I have a good day I go like heck to get things done.

jenall1225 · 04-17-2005, 04:37 PM

Thanks everyone!