Hi, I’m a bit new to all this. I apologise if this is the wrong forum. Recently diagnosed and struggling to come to terms with it all. In additional to MS, I have Epilepsy and a lung disease, I’m not after sympathy, just it’s another illness to add to my list :). I’m sticking my head in the sand, clinging to the hope they will say actually we were wrong. Whenever I think about it I get emotional (I’m a late 40’s male so used to just bottling it up and not talking about it) Can anyone recommend a good place to start with just talking to someone who will listen and not judge?
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Hi there, it really is a shock when you get this diagnosis, i was diagnosed in 2008, and it took a long time for me to come to terms with it, i was similar to you and buried my head in the sand, but, i eventually accepted it, but eben now, i dont like talking or reading about MS, i had a lot of knowledge about living with MS, as my Mum had it, and knowing her MS story really scared me however, everyones story is different, i would only really say that talking about it to the right people can help, I only speak about MS with a few people, the most bizarre advice i was given, the day after my diagnosis was “don’t be negative about it” at the time i thought it was a ridiculous thing to say, but now, I’d say it was decent advice.
Well, you’re in the right place here, for a start. Welcome to the forum.
It’s bound to take some processing. But I think you’re doing the right thing, looking for opportunities to talk.
You could give Samaritans a ring. I know that takes a bit of nerve. But listening is exactly what they are there for, they provide a space for you to just talk things through anonymously, with someone you don’t know, without being judged. And if it’s not working you can always end the call.
Then there’s friends and family. I’ve had mixed experiences with this. Some are really helpful. Some treat you like you’ve just told them you have 2 weeks to live. Some tell you their cousin has it and she is fine (implication: what’s your problem?). Some tell you their ex-boyfriend cured his with pineapple juice etc…I tend to close down those sorts of conversations pretty fast.
I get you, I’m a bit the same and kinda think they made a mistake so don’t fully do the whole MS route. Also have Ulcerative Colitis so starting a collection plus adding hypertension this week.
My MS nurses are fabulous for a bit of a whinge and sympathy and also humour if you have this option available, it certainly helped me with prospective this week.
Be kind to yourself and come to terms in your own time.
Hi Jarvis from a 71 year old male diagnosed in his late 50s with RRMS. It does take a while to come to terms with the diagnosis. Best part of a year for me and I suppose you are never fully comfortable with it.
Have you looked at the MS Society Helpline - under Support and Community on the homepage.
I’ve had MS for about 19 years now. Feel totally free to ask me any questions
I think that for most of us the ‘head in sand’ manoeuvre is the default place to start. Bad news is bad news and there’s no harm in letting it sit there undisturbed for a bit before inspecting it more closely. I’m being perfectly serious, by the way. We all have a good sense of self-preservation, and you will be the best person to judge when you feel up to engaging with this, another serious condition that you have to manage and deal with.
Thank you for all your replies, it means a lot to know I’m not the only one. A very
close mate told me it could be worse, I agreed, of course it could be but that doesn’t help with accepting it. I guess people don’t know how to respond? I’m
going to call the helpline 
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