I would appreciate it if you could stop by my weight loss blogand let me know what you think.
Warmest wishes,
-Joan

I was inspired by you and your post about feelings that we try to hide. I have had MS for a while and a lot of my symptoms go back into remission or I just have become desensitized to them. Sometimes I forget how hard the first major attack was, so I draw on this horrible experience to remind myself that things can go wrong very quickly. But I don’t dwell and I’m thankful I’m doing fairly well after about 10 years with the stinkin’ disease.

Yeah– it’s hard to know what to write about here that is useful but not TOO revealing, considering my family and friends know about this site. And I have a link to it from a website I write for. After this post, I can probably write about anything. Maybe pooping next…Hey— I can’t stay TOO serious!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’re feeling a little bit better or at least functional.

Jen

Your strength shines through your vulnerability here…and yes. If your post helps another, then then difficulty in writing it has paid off.

I, too, have had my share of “low” moments that I don’t blog about…mainly because of the type of work I do. I feel some constriction in writing those experiences because I KNOW people from work read my blog. So I GREATLY appreciate you taking the time, the moment, the memory, and the FEELING to write about your experience here. I DO believe it is in the darkness we discover ourselves…

Thanks, wise woman.

Linda D. in Seattle

Jen

I felt compelled to write this because depression and anxiety run rampant with MSers. I can sit here and tell people to be strong and look on the bright side, but how can I say this when I have shown no knowledge of what it’s like to be at the very bottom of the well? So no matter how hard it is to write this, it is necessary to show others where I am coming from.

I remember your post about that counselor who helped you. Social service workers/ nurses seem to be angels in disguise. I’m still contemplating taking psychology classes, maybe just for my own knowledge. I love science and medicine (I used to be an ultrasound tech, many moons ago…)

I think your depression site helps many people feel understood. Keep writing those awesome articles!

Jen

frank was my savior though my bad time…he was a counselor on the end of a suicide hotline. So yeah…i can relate.

i am so sorry you had to go through that but it has allowed you now…to help others because you know what it is like.

thank you for writing this.

I feel if this can help anyone realize that there’s a way back, then it’s worth it. It will probably be the most dreary thing I write, as I am doing quite well on Lexapro. I’m so thankful that there are antidepressants and I agree, Lisa, that the good they do far outweighs the bad. Why struggle?

Here’s to good mental health!

Although depression and anxiety still get the best of me some days, I’ve never again hit that low point. And I made a promise to myself that it never will.

This is a true story of MS Strength. Kudos to you and your Mom for not giving up and for not being complacent. I”m glad that you recognized the need for help and followed through with the suggestions made (ie meds, psychiatrist, ER, etc) even though some of them did not provide quick relief.

I do believe that the anti-depressants (although they do have side-effects) do much more good than harm. Without them, I’d be in a deep hole. Even with them, I still sink down occasionally and sometimes the most insignificant things will get me started on that downward spin.

I have great anxiety over the future – physical, mental, financial, social, emotional. And I have very little idea of what will come along. But choosing to be joyful, thankful, cheerful, helpful, and hopeful is all I can do.

Here’s to grasping joy!!

Lisa