Hi, I am new to the forum so please bear with me.
I have had MS for nearly 25 years and despite being married I feel very isolated and lonely.
I stopped working at the beginning of the year and now rarely leave the house.
The only real pleasure I have is with my 4 sausage dogs although walking them has become increasingly difficult lately which is also hard to deal with.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Paul
Hello Paul. I am sorry that you’re feeling low. Having to finish work (and I’m assuming that your MS made this necessary) can be a difficult adjustment in terms of how we order our lives and in all sorts of other ways - finances, feelings about our role in the world etc. It’s a very big life change, and the fact that it tends to go with worsening disability and more time to think about that doesn’t always help.
I don’t know what to suggest because it’s such a personal thing, of course, but for myself I do benefit in having some structure in my day, even if only very loosely adhered to. Whether that involves getting out of the house or just making myself useful indoors, I do like to have a list of things (however small) that I want to do that day. Any great ambitions I entertained - however briefly about learning French or how to read music or such once I retired went right out the window, I’m afraid. My goals these days are so limited and narrow that I would be ashamed to share them. But they still matter to me. I hope that you find a way to make your new life feels purposeful and fulfilling and with the kind of social interaction gives you energy - even if it’s not quite the life you planned.
Hi Paul, @paul1970 sorry to hear of your feeling of isolation. Apologies if this sounds like a dumb or insulting question but can I ask why you rarely leave the house?
It’s around 19 years since I was diagnosed and yes, going out presents two challenges’. The first is that I can’t walk for more than 10-15 unsteady minutes and the second is ‘bladder urgency’. I bought myself a mobility scooter for getting out and about and it has made a massive difference to my life . It’s a small, folding one and relatively light . If necessary I can lift it into a train but in general train and station staff help with that ( and sometimes other passengers help - which is really kind of them). Usually though I can lift it into the back of our hatchback and join my wife on trips out ( cafes, restaurants, cinema and the likes or to our l local RSPB reserve).
Bladdder urgency and the fear of wetting myself did stop me going out until I discovered ‘sheath catheters’ which are really, really useful. They are like a thick condom to which you attach a tube leading down to a bag on your leg. Relatively easy to put on and remove for ‘single day use’. Bit weird on first use - goes against instinct to just let yourself pee wherever you are 
Hello Paul and please be assured this is a great forum where people are great to help/advise when they can.
I have had MS for 16 years now and only really had to change things in the past couple of year when my MS took a wee dip.
I was medically retired from work in July 2024 and it really broke my heart as I loved work. It was the right time to go though as I wasn’t able to do my job as well as before, tripping etc.
I, like Alison write lists that I aim to complete on a daily basis.. not very difficult lists but I do think that things take longer so the day does pass.
I, too have bought a mobility scooter and it allows me to join the family for walks, shopping centres etc.
MS keeps giving and it can get to you but rest assured there are plenty of folk ready to listen.
Try not to be too hard on yourself..take care
Much love
Maryx