3 Reasons Why I Don’t Let Chronic Illness Prevent Me from Living a Normal Life

*Note from A Chronic Voice: It’s our pleasure to have Trevor with us today. I am always on the lookout for male voices within the chronic illness community as they are rarer, yet equally as important. The male to female ratio for many chronic illnesses lean toward women. For example, nine out ten people with Lupus (SLE) are female. Hence you could say that men are the minority within a minority.

Add to the fact that men and women inherently tend to communicate and express our needs in different ways, and also the stigma of strength tied to men within society, and it can be an extra lonely road for them. So thank you for taking the time to share your story today, Trevor. It is my hope that it not only raises awareness of Multiple Sclerosis, but also provides an “I’m not alone” moment for others who live with chronic illness out there.

On an otherwise ordinary morning in 2011, I woke up with a severe case of vertigo. I was in my late 20s, and to be honest, I didn’t even know vertigo was a thing that could happen. I tried to write it off as one of those weird things that happen, but it persisted. I later learned that it was my first Multiple Sclerosis (MS) episode. Unfortunately, it was the mildest episode I’d experience.

My Experience with Chronic Pain

My next episode came a few months later in that same year. This one was marked by extreme muscular pain. It felt like my leg was in a vice grip that someone would tighten and loosen, but mostly tighten. Much to my dismay, the pain never completely subsided.

For those of you who don’t have MS, I’ll explain. In the early stages of this autoimmune disease, most people are diagnosed with what’s called Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). This is one stage of the disease, and it’s characterized by episodes that last 1-2 months before they subside.

But the most problematic thing about these episodes is that they can (and often do) cause permanent damage. This is what I experienced during my second episode. My pain was less intense after that episode, but it never went away completely.

Now, here is where most people with chronic illness can relate. Many chronic illnesses come with some level of pain. If you let it, chronic pain can really derail an otherwise happy life. Add more layers of chronic disease, and it’s even easier to succumb to hopelessness and rage. But I make a conscious decision to do the exact opposite. It’s a decision I make every single day.

Here’s why and how I don’t let my chronic disease prevent me from living a normal life.

1. We Only Get One Life

As cliché as it sounds, we all have the same number of seconds every day. I can spend them dwelling on my problems, or I can spend them focused on more important things. I’ve done it both ways, and there’s no question that focusing on pain and problems is a waste.

This may seem morbid, but we will all eventually die. When you’re on your deathbed and thinking about your life, do you want to remember days spent curled up in bed or days out living life to its fullest?

Even on my worst days, I regret decisions to do nothing, more than I regret a decision to do something. Even if it’s just picking up a book to read, at least my day was made valuable by learning something new.

2. I Always Maintain Hope

When you have a chronic disease like MS, your doctor probably isn’t a fountain of hope and positivity. On the contrary, they usually prepare you for the worst. And although there are many promising treatments on the horizon, the old standby drugs simply don’t cut the mustard.

At best, drugs like interferons will slow the progression of your disease. So, you may stay where you are or get worse. There’s not a lot of hope in that.

That’s why I choose to focus my energy on alternative and cutting-edge treatments. This is what led me to stem cell therapy. My doctor told me about a trial he thought I’d qualify for, and I was lucky enough to get a spot. Stem cell therapy has helped me live a mostly pain-free life. I still have issues, don’t get me wrong, but the debilitating pain isn’t an issue. And I know that if I can find a treatment to help with my pain, there must be other treatments that can help. I choose to have hope, and that keeps me going every day.

3. I Share My Struggles & Receive Support

I’m part of an active online support group that keeps me accountable. I’ve been part of this group for about three years, and it’s made up of others who have MS. We all have different symptoms and challenges, but we all share the same passion for life. In this group, we share successes and failures, and we check in on people who are inactive.

You may find an online support group like this, or you may have one or two close friends who provide this level of support. I find it super helpful to have someone check in on me whenever I fall silent. It helps to know people care.

If you’re struggling with MS, chronic pain or any other illness, my best advice is to avoid dwelling on your problems. If you need help with this, let someone know. People who care about you will be happy to help you live a better life – whatever it takes.

*Note: This article is meant for educational purposes and is based on the author’s personal experiences. It is not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding new treatment protocols.

Read More: Give Your Best Anyway, Even When You’re Feeling Depressed

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