MS and the Coronavirus - How are you handling the pandemic?

@Bellabay12‍  Hi Bellabay12, thank you for commenting. I can understand how you feel, there is so much unknown about the virus it can be so stressful for those of us with chronic conditions, especially those who are immunosuppressed. Maybe some of our members can give you some advice?

Hello everyone, it's been a few days so I thought I would check in with you all. How are you doing? Is the lockdown getting to you, or are you managing to stay positive

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Take care,

Courtney

Hi everyone,

The lockdown is frustrating, especially for those of us who are missing the library and shopping for needed personal items.  I am staying positive, keeping up with family and friends via social media, and praying for all.  Focusing on others, and knowing we are all helping each other stay safe, helps me to remain calm.  We all hope the Covid-19 crisis will be over soon in our area and that regions will become free of the virus and we can go back to normal.  Stay safe out there.  

@Courtney_J Always wear a mask, wear gloves, hand washing. Check in with your neurologist. Get tested. I need to get tested, as well. You know stress is not good for us with MS. Stress put me in the hospital for 5 days in 2016 with a flare. Stay positive and get enough sleep and nutrition. If it's hot where you are, stay hydrated. Be well.

Good afternoon to everyone!  I find that I am more positive when I keep the TV off and have other things to turn my mind to. We don't turn our TV on until 11 AM, when The View comes on, because we need a few laughs. After the noon news, the TV goes off again. I think it stirs up your fears, stress, and emotions. My hubby and I are enjoying sitting out on our deck. (when it's not raining)

Last Thursday, on April 30th, we had a horrendous rain storm come through with non-ending straight line winds. It took parts of our roof off and we ran around with 4 buckets until Serv-Pro came in that same night and tarped our roof. They're here again today (and Saturday) sucking out all of our insulation out.  So, I've been occupied with something other than my MS.  And we have homeowners insurance, so we won't be stuck with a big bill. :-) 

I still haven't found a story about someone with MS surviving this COVID pandemic. I think that's what I'm searching for.  Of course, I haven't found any stories with the opposite outcome either!  I'm a nurse, and I was still working 2 days each month, running a blood pressure clinic for the underserved in our area.  But our hospital system has stopped all outreach until this pandemic settles down! That clinic was another outlet for me.  It kept me busy taking care of my own small group of patients. 

Got to go! The insulation suck-out is over, so I need to check on some things. Hope all of us have a great week, doing the best that we can do!

Take care,   Carolyn 

@egwcaw Hello Carolyn, I think you've got the right idea! The CDC has recognized that the constant flow of news and information can be quite stressful and can have a negative impact on physical and mental health, so limiting it where you can is a great coping mechanism. My goodness it sounds like you're going through it at home! I hope they repair your roof soon!

I hope to hear of a positive story from a MS patient too, maybe our other members have heard something?

Take care everyone!

Courtney

I'm So Aggravated! I have been Ensentual since the out Break. I work in an eyeglass Lab with 10 people or less, we have been without masks up until today since the first point of the "Stay at home order"! Now that our warehouse is opening, Has NOTHING to do with the Lab, We will not have more than we have had, Yet forced to wear the masks cause "They" have a revolving door! The Lab has had the same 10 people! we do not work next to each other! Within 15 minutes I began to have anxiety not being able to breathe, then I had to put on 2 pain patches, then open up the dock doors and turn on a fan, to keep my body temp from climbing!  Keep in mind we have 10 people, NOT 30, NOT 50....... 10 MAX! as it has been since the shutdown! I cannot Breathe, My anxiety is causing more symptoms, Breathing in Hot air feels like I'm in mid-August with humidity! We are NOT Open to the Public! I have been working through this Pandemic this whole time without a mask with the same Damn people! How do I continue to work with this, HOT MOISTNESS as though I'm outside Late August?

I am scared  I don't leave my home unless absolutely necessary always wearing a mask. Yet I watch the news always with reporters present and many including Trump and governors not wearing masks and never ever are the reporters 6 ft. apart.

I work part time as a retail merchandiser in grocery stores, considered essential front line employment.  The end of March our company gave high risk employees the option of opting out of work.  Tried to continue but after my anxiety was thru the roof & 3 panic attacks I opted out for 6 weeks.  With the help of my doctors, counseling, change in medication I've become a little more in control.  I start back to work next week, it's scary but I can only do whatever I can to be safe-masks, sanitizer, washing hands, 6ft apart the best I can from customers, & prayers that God will protect me. Will continue counseling to hopefully keep my anxiety under control.  This is a very scary time, MS medications which is confusing on which ones are the safest, age 65  & other underlying conditions.   This disease is like a nightmare that we'll wake up from.

@Bellabay12 How are you doing? Did you go back to work? How are you handling it?

I hope everyone is staying as safe as possible! If we keep following the protective measures we should get through this!

Yes back to work.  It's going ok.  Have found I get tired more, possibly because I was not working for 6 weeks glad I only work part time.  Still makes me little nervous since I'm around so many people.  But I do my best to stay as safe as I can.  I always wear a mask, use sanitizer, wipes and wash my hands alot.  Definitely seeing there are alot of people that do not wear masks... some people do not take this virus as seriously as they should be.  But I'm pretty fanatical on protecting myself.