I am new to this board, but as I read your posts I feel like I am reading my own diary of five, ten, fifteen years ago. My name is Jodie and I have Miyoshi Mypathy and I am 40. I live in a fancy wheelchair that reclines (because my feet swell if I sit still too long) and raises my seat six inches (because I can't lift my arms over my shoulders) after that I sleep in a hospital bed (because I can't move in a normal bed on my own) It is late here, I have a sinus infection and feel like crap, so keep in mind all I say is tempered by that. I have found that it is vital to share your frustrations, calmly, with your loved ones. They love you. It hurts them to see you embarassed, hurting, socially uncomfortable, etc. Don't shut them out, but be in it together. Some of my best friends and I have laughed so hard at people eyeballing me trying to figure out what is wrong with me that I have wet my pants. And those same friends, helped me change my pants. Many of you talked about what others think. That is hard, on your own. Use your allies to laugh through the hard times. I tease my friends and family about not having any pride left. They know it is not true. They know that I am secure enough in their love that I can let them see me with dirty hair, in clothes with food stains on them or that I can ask them to help me in the potty or to clean my house. Asking for help was the hardest obstacle for me because I had always done for others. God will give you special ways you can give back. My house is the fun house. The kids all love to come here. I make them wait on themselves, and me. lol - but they love it. As your disease takes more from you, (that is the cause of my bitterness - I adapt to life one way and then it takes more away) make sure you don't put unrealistic expectations on yourself. Let others help. They want to. I recently encourgaged my son and husband to go on a vacation without me. It is so much drama for me, for my husband anymore for me to go anywhere overnight. My 8 year old, looked up at me and said so sincerely,"we don't want to go anywhere you don't go." I am the most blessed of all women. To all of you younger people, GO, DO NOW while it is easier. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THE MONEY. Enjoy your mobility.
You said it all! You sound a lot like many of us here. I won't try to speak for others but I would not trade my life for a healthy persons if it meant being unhappy. I'd rather have my family, friends and my happiness than to be unaffected and lose what I have. I'm 47 with an understanding and encouraging wife and 2 beautiful daughters 16 & 19. Although I have an undiagnosed type of Limb-Girdle, I've been very pro-active in my diagnoses and treatment. My MD doctor and I have a great relationship. He always calls over the group of interns while doing rounds at MD clinic and says "Here's my main man!, The one that does all the research". Doing research, collecting data, keeping notes and drawing pedigree charts is the thing that makes me feel I have a bit of control over my own destiny and that I'm doing something.
You sound like you have a great attitude (though like all of us, I'm sure you have bad days). Thanks for all your posts, I read them all.
PS - read my old thread "Missing the things I used to do" 05-02-2007 It's way down the list. Most of the replies are from adults in our similar situation. (at the bottom of the page, show all threads from 'Beginning' to make it show up) It was a very popular thread. Take care,
Mark
Last edited by Administrator; 04-28-2009 at 01:53 AM.
Reason: added info
Hi, i'm Miriam. I was looking for any new updates on LGMD2B, which i was diagnosed with about 3 yrs ago, and I stumbled upon this website. Although i try not to read up on it as much because i feel depressed afterwards, i decided to give it a second shot and im glad i did. Jodie, if you read this, thank you for your honest words, they were insightful and helpful which made me feel better. Personally, I share a lot of the same feelings as many have posted such as anger, frustration, depression, independent-mad-at-having-to-be-dependent. I was wondering, is anybody else experiencing mood swings or any other effect besides the physical ones??
Hello Miriam and my other MD buddies,
I hope everyone had a happy holiday. Miriam, I have been experiencing many low days lately because of the holidays. I wanted so badly to just be able to get out and shop, but for me, everything has to be a "planned event". I missed the days of jumping in the shower and flying to mall if I needed to. So I do get down a lot. I also stress a lot about things because I want things to be as close to perfect as possible for my kids, so sometimes I tend to worry myself into a state of depression. I was having trouble sleeping up until Christmas and afterwards I've been having more peaceful rests. I know I need to stop worrying because I have a great support system but sometimes I just want to do stuff myself so I drive myself crazy instead of just asking for help. That is something I need to work on in the new year. This is a great place to vent and I hope it helps you as much as it continues to help me.
Thanks, so far I have felt good about posting up on this message board. I have read a lot of threads which help to see how others cope and relate to them. Their is something about reading everyones experiences that is comforting to know that we are not completely alone and that there is someone out there who completely understand what we are going through.
Thanks for everyones replies.
It is a comfort to know that others are feeling the EXACT same way as me. It gives me courage
Jodie I loved when you said, "To all of you younger people, GO, DO NOW while it is easier. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THE MONEY. Enjoy your mobility. "
I needed to hear that. I need to enjoy my mobility and stop feeling sorry for myself. I still have mobility and I need to USE it!!!
I find that my emotions get a little whacky when I am exausted. I just can't deal with things. If three people are talking to me at once, or the kids are fighting I just go nutty!! WHen I'm exausted or fatigued would be a better word, I am CRABBY and I hate that. I hate being a crabby Mom
I get depressed and I have to really think myself through it. I get depressed when I realize I can't do what I want to do ie, keep the house clean and tidy, keep up with kid's schedules, run the tiny errands I need to do and my own hobbies all in one day. I have to tell myself that I have to lower my expectations a bit, do the most important things, do what I can and the rest doesn't matter.
WOW I just discovered this post and it was exactly what i needed to read through, its funny how sometimes when one needs something all of a sudden without effort it is there in front of you.
THANK YOU to all who posted your words are so true and so honest and so ....whats the word ....to read that there are others who think and feel what I am myself at this moment are thinking and feeling is...comforting and adds that little relief that you are not alone.
I cry i get upset i get frustrated I feel a burden on those around me....but those feelings aren't as great (and must not and won't take over) the appreciation I feel for being alive and all the good things around me. . . . . . . . .
SO all I can say is THANK YOU.
It seems that with LGMD there are so many issues to deal with. It is not a disorder that effects just one part of ones life, but all aspects of it. You have a positive attitude for the most part, you are looking to the future with hope. I don't know what is wrong with my legs yet, and so my future looks kinda bleak.
The emotions I am going through are fear, depression, anxiety and wondering what my future holds as far as whats going to happen to me. Reading the various postings on this board, even if the docs figure I have another disorder, gives me strength. I think of how all of you deal with your problems, and that is encouraging.
I have so many symptoms of LGMD, but getting a diagnosis is hard. The movement disorder doctor seemed to have thought my problems were all stress related prior to even doing any sensory testing (which he didn't do much of), so irritation is something that I am feeling. Yes I do have stress, but not enough to give all these leg problems for so many years.
mark,
glad you are getting a scooter, and walkers are not too bad. I used a walker and wheelchair for a few years due to leg surgeries gone wrong, and I was self conscious too,but the freedom of walking aids and especially the scooter I had was so nice.I hated being pushed in a wheel chair, but the walker wasn't so bad because you control where it goes
I’ve always been the humorous and positive person but things are changing
I’m a single mom and my boys are getting older. My eldest is going to University next year and my youngest only have two years left before he is off as well and then I’m alone
I’ve progressed to the stage where getting up is only possible in my bathroom where I thought myself to get up.
Any other place in my house is impossible. I can still walk but without shoes and only in my house where I’m familiar with the “feeling” of the floors
I have to use a scooter when I go out. I cannot use a bathroom anywhere else and my list goes on and on
I need constant help and that has fallen on my boys shoulders when they here.
Weekends when they go to their dad I’m so restricted what I can do that I have to use a chair to move around the house and I hate it.
I’ve fallen 3 times outside after I drop the boys somewhere and return to an empty house. The one time I went to fetch the boys when my leg gave in half way down a ramp towards the garage and I fell on my back with my head facing downwards on the ramp
I tried to get myself up into a sitting position and I couldn’t. To make it worse it was midnight so there was no-one outside to help me.
I always take my cell with me wherever I go and started phoning all my family members and this evening no-one answered their phones!
I tried to phone the boys to tell them what happened and that they will just have to wait until I can reach someone to come and help me and they didn’t answer their phones either.
After 40 min laying in the cold a neighbor returned home and I shouted for him to come and help me. To make it worse I didn’t even know him
I’m getting scared walking to my car alone that I take it step by step holding onto anything for balance.
I refuse to give up walking as long as I can but I am hurting myself physically. My back is giving in and I know I will have to stop doing what I’m doing
The one time I sat down on my couch and just as I was halfway down I realized I forgot my chair that I use to move around the house. Well I couldn’t prevent myself from sitting and again I had to phone a family member to come and help get me up
I hide my feelings from everyone and I do not discuss my MD with anyone. I cannot change the fact I have it so why talk about it
I’m getting angrier and angrier as they days go by and cry for nothing. I’m changing into a person I’m not.
I would give up my house, car, and possessions everything just to be healthy again
I'm turning 40 in three months time and even this big day I cannot organize anything myself to celebrate
I even feel guilty by sharing my anger and depressing stories on the board
The following 3 users give hugs of support to: mandy37 2807 (03-30-2012), Dreaman (04-11-2012), Greetings (03-30-2012)
Never feel guilty about your posts. I can only speak for myself but I could have written that post. I am now 60 and have been where you are so many times but then I think of my kids,grandkids and now a g-grand sometime in April so even through the bad times just think about all your blessings. That is what will get you through.
My sister told me that my parents feel guilty for “giving me MD” and they think it’s their fault for robbing me of a normal life.
My mom turns away when someone helps me to get up from a chair or when I fall. She gets angry and upset with the person that helps me get to my feet again. The anger is more directed at my dad when he helps me.
My dad gets nervous when he has to help me get to my car of help me up from a sitting position. Sometimes when he struggles he actually starts shaking and I can see the stress in his eyes
We do not talk about the MD but I need to tell them it’s not their fault but I’m not ready to have that emotional discussion with them
My younger sister tries to make a joke of the situation if I fall and her husband needs to help me up. Sometimes it’s ok and sometimes it angers me. It isn’t always an appropriate time to laugh esp. if she can see that I’m getting tearful or angry. I suppose it is her way of coping.
My elder sister treats me normally but told her 2 year old daughter that I’m “sick” that I constantly need help. Her daughter also knows when I walk to a door holding onto someone that she mustn’t get in the way where I walk.
Lately she comes and holds my hand and tries to walk me to the door or even to my car. How can I tell a 2 year old not to do that because she throws me off balance?
I hate seeing my family “suffer” because of this and sometimes I think it is harder on them than on me
Even my ex constantly asks me about my health and how I’m coping and even wants to take me out with the boys for a day of "fun". He is a married man and I feel in a way “sad” that he thinks he needs to treat me differently
How can I let my parent understand that I’m ok (even though I’m not at the moment) without having the discussion of feelings etc. etc.
I’m going to lie to them anyway.
The following user gives a hug of support to mandy37: Dreaman (04-12-2012)
Mandy,
Maybe weather you are ready or not you and your family need to have a discussion about this.
My mom also had MD but she hid it from me while growing up. It would have made my life so much easier if we could have had a heart to heart about it.I could have understood why I was diff from other kids. I never ever blamed her for it. It just is.
My daughter also has it and we talk all the time and it helps both of us altho she hides it from other people. She is 37 but she is still doing really good.
Don't hold back. You will feel much better for it.
Later Dreaman
Mandy Heidi here my mum and dad feel guilty too as we know of no one in the family that has had it so there is just me! THey lived in a house that had 7 steps to get in and I found it SO hard to visit as it took me ages to climb these steps and if they heard me coming and came out I could just see in their faces....strange looks...not understanding...angry...guilty ...sorry for me... and I would rather they didn't stand and watch, yeah I may look strange and awkward and it takes me ages but I'd get there ...and visiting always reminded me of my condition and would always make me teary...so when I got in the house I wasn't feeling in the best of mods so there was always a funny atmosphere..anyway needless to say my visits over there got less and less. But they too are getting on in age and this year downsized to a retirement village so no steps and easier for me to visit....so now I can get into the house but it doesn't stop there does it now you can't sit down because all the chairs are too low!! so a couple of cushions and the phone book!! phew sometimes I wonder why go out it is so much easier not to bother and stay at home!!
I find when I am home the 'condition' doesn't seem so bad but as soon as you want/need to go out it is like planning an expedition so many things to think about.....
life isn't easy but I guess it is what we make of it today I am feeling teary and fed up and am crying now but really what is the point of being upset because that isn't going to make my md go away is it????????????? so pull yourself together Heidi and appreciate what you still have x keep in touch x
I feel paranoid all the time. I walk with my head low so I can see the ground with every step I take. I'm so scared of falling.
Sometimes I think I can't wait for the time I get to have a scooter that way I won't have to worry about falling or the fact that my legs and feet feel like they are on fire also so people won't stare at me when I walk or waddle.
Do any of you guys limp? Sometimes I limp and sometimes I don't. I don't know why but I can't help it when I get in my limp moods. Also have any of you experienced falling and trying to get back up and putting weight on your knees. Then when you get up to walk your knees feel like they can't hold any weight? It happens to me when I feel. It's very scary.
Hi, I have Myotonic Dystrophy 2. I am 67 years old and do not look disabled. People don't understand sometimes. I do have difficulty with steps and when there is a steep curb need to ask for help. I am told I need to do more exercise and basically blame me for my inabilty to do certain things. I can see where walking with a cane could be like wearing an alert bracelet and maybe people would be more understanding.
A cane definitely helps people realize and understand that you have a problem. It hard accepting and using a cane but take it from someone's who's been through all of the stages from cane to walker to scooter. Now that I'm on my scooter there is NO DOUBT that I have a problem. Most people smile and open doors for me. In the old days, I got the impatient "what's HIS problem" that you are getting. Hang in there!
I'm feeling depressed. I keep gaining weight, and all I want to do is hide. Hide from my family and hide from the world. I don't know how to shake this depression off, I've been depressed for many years now. I find myself bitter and jealous of "normal people." Some people day-dream of being rich or having the perfect body or sleeping with your favorite movie star. I day-dream about being able pick something up off the ground, or getting out of a chair easily, or being able to hop in and out of a car. I feel like everyone is staring at me whispering "Ew look at her, what's wrong with her? Why does she walk like that?" I think about the fact that I'll never have kids, and I think about my future. What kind of future do I have? I picture myself morbidly obese sitting in a night dress all day laying in a bed and in an "home" at the age of 45. I hate myself alot sometimes.
If I could give youa "real" hug I would. I don't know what depression really is but I think it must be hell to go through
I wish I could say something to make you smile but I know it's not that easy
I'm in the position that I have to be helped up because I cannot get up by myself anymore. I think I've had MD for so long that the stares doens't bother me so much anymore.
It's a process that we all have to go through and unfortunately the only one that can help you is yourself.
The days you feel good about yourself you should "use" that day and enjoy life a bit.
I believe that you will get to that stage that MD is just part of you and you look past it although some times you get angy, depressed and all those feelings combined.
If I could give you some advice is to start a diary where you release all you feelings for that day (good or bad).
Maybe you can write a book that will get published that would give "normal" people some perspective of the troubles you have to deal with day by day
It could be an inspiration to other people to appreciate what they have and you could possible save someones life.
Re: What Emotions are you dealing with? 
Re: What Emotions are you dealing with? 
