I'm 18 years in and I can't say it gets any easier and that I get any better at it ;-0 but I have learned that I need to set reasonable expectations and just know when to say when. I work in an accounting systems job that can be very challenging cognitively and there are a lot of hours which result in less sleep than I should get and sometimes less focus on eating right and exercise. Add on top of that a very confrontational manager who is demanding that I start returning to work in the office several days a week. It looks like you also live in the north so would know the risks I face if I have problems driving on bad roads out in rural areas. If others go off the road or have to seek help it is an annoyance. If I do it could be a death sentence. So after 2 1/2 years with this company, a year of 70 hr weeks followed by a year of 60 hr weeks and not being able to take my vacation, etc. I have decided I have had it- for now- I am on STD for a few months to have a complete Neuro Psych eval to determine the impact the stress has had. It may come back fine and with accommodations (like continuing to WFH) I may be able to continue working but if they come back saying I shouldn't continue in this line of work I will retire...I've been working 36 years so maybe that is enough ;-) All I can say is try to set reasonable expectations for yourself. I do pretty well with cognitive fatigue but know when I need to take a break. My main issue is with "motor fatigue" and know that I can only be on my feet in about 30 minute intervals so I plan for a walking time followed by a sitting time. I have researched for our upcoming trip to Scotland which sites have mobility scooters, vans to the front entrances and videos of the different sites we could visit to know which ones I can physically handle and which ones I can't. I know I am better early in the day rather than late so things that will challenge me physically are better done early. Hop-on/hop-off buses are better for me than thinking I can do a walking tour, for example. Putting together a thoughtful plan is the best I can do.

Stress, that is a hard one. Before I got diagnosed with MS, in April of 1997 ny oldest son died in a car accident, then in June my younger sister got killed, I think Stress is one of the worst things to make MS flare and speed up. How to handle it, I don't have a clue. Take care

Sara, you are a trooper !! Right when I was diagnosed we lost our dog, I absolutely thought my world was caving in . I'm glad you got through it all so well. I think you did great 👍 Keep it up !! ❤

As always Sara, you are light when there is but darkness. I lost my dearest mother during the pandemic. I was caring for her long before she was taken into hospital where she suffered a massive stroke. Being end of life, I was allowed in where I watched her slowly lose her fight in the most heartbreaking of ways over nearly 3 weeks. The trauma was beyond words and the affect on my MS was profound. My walking and balance were the first casualties followed by my eyesight. I had to deal with it all on my own and only now I have found the strength to believe again in the goodness of life.. I forever look up at the night sky and marvel at the intricate and yet vastness of its enchanted beauty or I will lose myself in the splendor that is Nature's gift on this world of ours. This is how I de-stress and hold onto the comfort that I am still able to appreciate what is around me despite the fact that what I see is like a shattered image to what everybody else might see... Keep strong Sara and always remember to be kind to yourself..❤

Losing a pet is as painful as losing a person in my experience. We lost our Maine Coon boy at 18 years and 3 months to old age and his loss was excruciating. It was last August 29th 2022 and it still hurts the entire family. My MS took a big hit- especially my sleep, fatigue & balance. Falls suck so much We’d rather see you being so real about your life and MS than “upbeat” when you don’t feel it All my love Sarah my darling sister MS Warrior Rae xxxxx

Sarah, thank you so much for sharing what many of us living with MS go through. Stay strong❤

Sara- you ROCK!! Your honesty is a breath of fresh air:) so thank you. Stress is so inevitable. I like the Calm app. I like short meditations ( Jeff Warren) So sorry to hear about your fall & dog:( when it rains it seems to pour) stinks. Be gentle on yourself. You are a great Mom😊 Missing you dog is going to take lots of time… so sorry. We love our animals like our kiddos. I feel like I internalize stress so I try to be mindful of these feelings & picking just a few tasks to spear head each day. Not easy w/ kids. I try & really listen to what my body needs sometimes moment to moment. I focus on what makes me smile. Lighting a candle makes me happy or a cup of tea helps me sometimes & just getting quiet sometimes. Take good care

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dog 🌈 Thanks for making me feel a little less alone on my MS journey 💕 Stress definitely makes my MS worse and with young children it can’t be avoided. Managing stress is key to keeping myself mentally and physically grounded. Take care of yourself Sara.

Thx for sharing. Yeah stress exacerbated my symptoms. If I can get on a roll mediating consistently helps me and doing breathwork.

Have you considered using a walking cane?

Ride a bike 15 miles a day every day. You will have no stress.

Now, you know there is a cure for MS, don't you? Where do "we" rank? It's not first. It's not fifth. It's not even twentieth. It is beyond sad. Ask you doctor where they rank in the World. It will shock you. My best to you and I really hope you ask. And I went to the "best" neurologist in the US. He actually sits on the board for the MS Society. It's weird. So weird.