Dealing with MS Personality and Emotional Swings

I can relate , Debi
Thanks

I can relate too!! Sometimes I feel I don't even know who I am anymore.

I can definitely relate. Thanks for posting. It helps when you are not the only one going through these challenges and emotions.

I relate very well, Cyn. Though I am older than dirt (but not compost yet), being an introvert all my life has not been helpful as I have also now become familiar with walkers, sticks and rollators.
You are correct in my estimation that people just don't know what to say or how to help you when you may really need some help. This might be a culturally ingrained thing of "if you don't know them, they don't belong to your tribe." sort of thing.
I don't know, but it is wonderful when help does come. I always feel I have been lifted into grace.

I have noticed some changes as well. Depression when the pain level goes up. More anxiety at odd times. Worse anxiety symptoms, difficulty breathing, the shakes, ears roar, rapid heartbeat. It's awful. I feel ya!

You are not alone.

I was diagnosed RRMS at age 54 but I had the disease for at least 15 years before that. Most of my early brain lesions were in my frontal lobe. Many of my symptoms involved personality changes. I used to be timid and a born again Christian. Once my frontal lobe was attacked, I became a very different person, bold, argumentative, risk taking, angry, and self destructive. I was not a nice person and I did not know who I was. This went on for about 5 years. Thank God and my family for helping me through this. I read up on a disorder called "frontal lobe syndrome" which helped me to understand what was happening to me. I am 62 years old now and I am mostly back to the real me except for occasional feeling of rage which I most times can control. I take 120 mg of Cymbalta each day and it has helped. So I definitely agree that MS does impact your personality.

Stress is the worst for me, dealing with businesses trying to scam me. I find myself going down hill going into brain fog and lassitude, I never get back to how I was previous to the encounter. I also have trouble with family members not understanding why I have problems with memory.

I can sooooo relate! lol. I’m reading this just mere minutes after I reamed my hubby out something awful. Usual 5 am morning. Him getting bread for work. Normally a really happy time. Retired and only working 3 days a week. Works for the NIH. Ironic.lol. The man deserves a medal! Prior to going to bed he always puts a load of laundry in the dryer of sweats a few old t- shirts we only wear around the house. Accidentally (not) there were a few items of mine. A t- shirt that I love and 2 pr. of Capri pants I wear were put in this load. Well routine is that he gives me the basket and I fold. When I saw these items I went crazy. Berserk is more like it! I started... you all know what I mean... called him every name in the book! I’m still experiencing the heart palpitations. I don’t care... I loved this t-shirt! It has to laundered in cold water and hung up to dry. Shirt has insignia of West Virginia Univerty on it. My grandkids (both) go to school there and I’m from their. This shirt was 20$. Living on a fixed income we all know I saved for this shirt. I normally try to wear it only to grocery store or causal places. Always being known for my impeccable dressing this stuff really gets to me. Can’t tolerate sloppy or unkempt clothing, hair, makeup etc. Hubby knows this. I should be soo appreciative that he even does the laundry! Along with taking care of my every need!! Wonderful wonderful man. This man loves me and I him. Normally we laugh all day everyday. We’re old now. Still very much in love. Why do I go off like I did over a freaking t- shirt??? I’m not even ashamed! Doesn’t happen often that I lose it. Never expect it. Just happens in nano second. Bam! This probably ruined his day and not mine... I’ve no remorse. Terrible. Hubby will text me when he gets to work per the usual routine. Also he forgot the life line necklaces we both wear. I’m lucky to be able to stand long enough to accomplish my daily routine. Very afraid of being alone and falling. Hubby is also alone at work. Runs a large warehouse and on a fork lift all day. Normally doesn’t have anyone there to get monkey cages and the like.lol. Diabetic, overweight, high b/p etc. hence the lifeline alert necklace. Hells bells I don’t even know if he remembered his today. Normally I always remind him. Yes, gang MS IS an awful disease. Not cancer not Alzheimer’s, I’ll smile through this journey. However hurting the one person that you love the most is not acceptable in my eyes or my heart. Yes he’ll forgive me and life will go on. As for me .... I’ll spend a whole week being soo sorry yet not being able to explain this outburst or others. Welcome to my MS journey for today.

I agree with everything you’ve said! The anxiety is just horrible, and can be all consuming. The pain and fatigue can make me so irritable. I’ve told my family countless
Times it’s not them , I just don’t feel well.

I’m definitely extroverted but dealing with further disability has made me quiet and sad. I notice people looking at me trying to walk with a cane, it’s beyond weird! Trying to stay positive