Sometimes multiple sclerosis seems to take a sabbatical. At
least, relapse-remitting MS does. The MonSter sort of snoozes for a while. Or
perhaps he simply lurks in the background a bit.
When that happens, the MS warrior rejoices. It’s like a
respite, bringing more-than-welcome breathing space.
I know the feeling.
When MS symptoms
subside, I want to celebrate.
I want to scale a mountain, run a marathon, and complete
every item on my personal to-do list.
Although I have never been high, I have to contend that these
symptom- and pain-free moments bring a euphoria that could easily top anything
pharmaceuticals or biologicals (legal or illegal) could provide.
Then I wonder if this liberty from misery (short-lived
though it may be) offers a taste of the way the rest of the world must feel all
the time. OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration. All sorts of people battle all
sorts of medical problems. But still, I wonder …
I nearly always
overdo it on my symptom-free days.
Clearly, I am overwhelmingly grateful even to have such
times. I know plenty of valiant ones who live with primary-progressive MS,
which never seems to let up. And I know that condition could await me down the
road, popping up without warning.
So I grab all the carpe
deum I can muster on those good days and push my limits. I accept and
complete the work assignments. I run extra miles. I ride the horse. I run the
errands. I burn the midnight oil.
And I pay dearly for it the next day … and the days that follow.
Personally, I call that experience the MS hiatus hangover. I’ve
heard others call it the MS tax, the MonSter’s payback, and MS’ revenge. But I
think the hangover moniker fits.
It’s the reciprocation for taking it to excess. The aching
body and head, mind-numbing pain, head-to-toe fatigue, random spasticity, and reeling vertigo
closely resemble the aftereffects of over-imbibing.
And, although yesterday I felt like a world-beater, today I can barely beat my way out of bed.
So I think, “Maybe I’ll exercise a more moderate approach
next time.”
Then, when next time arrives, and I have an up day (from an
MS symptom standpoint), I harness all that energy again and … you guessed it.
Image/s:
Adapted
from public domain artwork and photo
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