Being the caregiver to an MS patient

United States
January 28, 2007 11:25pm CST
My husband has secondary progressive MS. Diagnosed in 1999 (at age 47) and has gone from a limp, to a cane, to a walker, to a wheelchair, and is now unable to sit, stand, lie down or get up.He is totally dependent on me for everything--I have to lift him up and down. He spends his day on the couch or in the hospital bed and only is moved to the commode or the dining table. He can use his right hand and talk and swallow. I'm the sole caregiver, plus I work from midnight to 8 am while he sleeps. I would love to hear what other caregivers do to keep from burning out. The physical, mental, and emotional stress plus the sole responsibility for the home, yard, car, bills, and everything else takes a huge toll on a caregiver. Multiple Sclerosis is a terrible disease for anyone to have. My husband goes downhill every day, and now it is affecting his mind. It's heartbreaking to watch this happen, and know it will only get worse. How do I prepare him for the eventuality of a nursing home? How do I deal with the anger that comes out? What do I do to deal with him yelling and hollering all night when he thinks he needs to get up or go to the commode or lie back down every five minutes? How does the caregiver ignore the name calling and verbal abuse? I'm interested in hearing what other wives (or husbands) have been through. If you haven't lived it, you just can't really understand it.
1 response
• United States
29 Jan 07
outch! i deffinately havent lived this at all, but my mom may have MS.. we wont know for sure until they do more tests this spring though! after hearing this i pray she doesnt have it!! i cant even begin to imagine what its like for you! wish i had some helpful insight for you.. hopefully someone else will though!!