Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
Resources
About MyMSTeam
Powered By
See answer
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
NEWS

How I Learned To Stop Inviting Pain to My Party — and Gained Resilience in the Process

Written by Brittany Quiroz
Posted on February 8, 2022

Living with a chronic condition has a way of making me feel fragile. Many of us feel as though our bodies are susceptible to everything and anything. I remember when my secret talent of collecting autoimmune disorders revealed itself. I went into paranoid lockdown mode. It suddenly made sense why even the tiniest cold could wreak havoc on my body, or why the lightest impact would make me feel like I’d been hit by an 18-wheeler.

I would do everything in my power to stay healthy, yet my body always had different plans. I was always keen on trying the next new immune-fighting trend — to the point that if someone told me drinking unicorn tears would help, I’d have been on the hunt for that majestic creature. That would have been my quest!

I started to feel like glass, like nothing I did would keep me from breaking. Nobody revels in the reality of lost control. But what happens to my mind when I feel fragile? I wind up feeling weak and less confident. I subconsciously fall into a victim’s state of mind, where I turn over my power to my body.

While our bodies do have quite a bit of control over those of us living with a chronic illness, we tend to overlook the fact that our mind is also an extremely powerful and vital tool.

Our bodies consistently and undoubtedly inform us when we are sick and in pain. Pain never fails to RSVP to the party. The signal is sent to our brains, where we consciously acknowledge the problem.

Of course, acknowledging and moving on is one thing. Yet so many of us give the pain recognition, then invite it over for drinks and charcuterie. We don’t need pain hanging around all day in our minds as well as our bodies. I now choose to recognize it, wave to it, say hello, and then continue with what I was doing. The longer I hang around in that space, the longer it will take me to recover.

Humor me for a second: You’re enjoying your afternoon gardening, playing fantasy football, or trying to nail a new eyeliner technique, and pain strikes. You recognize it, and then keep chatting with it. After 30 minutes of continuously playing out this dialogue of “I’m in pain. I can’t handle this anymore. Why is this happening to me?” you will probably feel 10 times worse. I know in my case, it causes me to feel defeated. Fragile. Weak. Powerless.

Now go back to your herb garden. Pain strikes again. You recognize it. Say hello to it, and then try to remember the way YouTube showed you how to plant basil correctly. The pain may still be physically there, but your mind is focused elsewhere, leaving you feeling more in control and resilient.

Would you invite people you can’t stand over to your house for an extended period of time? Of course not. So why give pain the same privilege? That’s the lesson I’ve learned, and it’s helped me immeasurably.

MyMSTeam columnists discuss multiple sclerosis from a specific point of view. Columnists' articles don’t reflect the opinions of MyMSTeam staff, medical experts, partners, advertisers, or sponsors. MyMSTeam content isn't intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Posted on February 8, 2022

A MyMSTeam Member

Thanks for your comment, I had a new visit from pain ,my neck my head the right side the uninvited pain we had a very long miserable 2 and a half day of arguing, I sent IT on it's way ,this… read more

February 15, 2022
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.

You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Subscribe now to ask your question, get answers, and stay up to date on the latest articles.

Get updates directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Brittany Quiroz is a freelance writer and the creator of A Hot MS, a site built to help change the perception of what disability looks like. Learn more about her here.

Related Articles

Talking about how multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect sexual function and desire can be difficult....

Can MS Cause Hypersexuality?

Talking about how multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect sexual function and desire can be difficult....
Dani had just started a new job when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.“I had to advocate...

My Advocacy Tips: Taking Care of Future Me With MS

Dani had just started a new job when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.“I had to advocate...
In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...

Stress, Affording Treatment, and Quality of Life With MS: See Survey Results

In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...
YogaVista.tv and MyMSTeam have partnered to bring you these mini-lessons or "yoga snacks."

Easy Movement Videos for People With MS

YogaVista.tv and MyMSTeam have partnered to bring you these mini-lessons or "yoga snacks."
After getting her official multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2022, Karina Llamas decided that inje...

How I Got Over My Fear of Needles To Have My Best Shot With MS

After getting her official multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2022, Karina Llamas decided that inje...
In partnership with GoodRx

Recent Articles

Multiple sclerosis is not hereditary, but it does occur within families. Click to learn more!

Is MS Inherited From Your Mother or Father? 5 Factors That Matter (VIDEO)

Multiple sclerosis is not hereditary, but it does occur within families. Click to learn more!
Although scientists don’t fully understand what causes multiple sclerosis (MS), they believe that...

Genetic Factors in MS: HLA-DRB1 and More (VIDEO)

Although scientists don’t fully understand what causes multiple sclerosis (MS), they believe that...
Scientists have proposed different ideas about why autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis...

Multiple Sclerosis in Men vs. Women: 5 Symptom Differences and More

Scientists have proposed different ideas about why autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) does not affect everyone at equal rates. Some people are more likely than...

Who Gets MS? Prevalence, Epidemiology, and More

Multiple sclerosis (MS) does not affect everyone at equal rates. Some people are more likely than...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder that affects around 1 million peop...

How Many People Live With MS? (VIDEO)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder that affects around 1 million peop...
Five disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ...

Schedules for MS Infusions: Monthly, Twice a Year, and Other Frequencies

Five disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ...
MS News

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more: