Kidney Infections - Facing MS symptoms from A to Z

Multiple sclerosis complications can be confusing, uncomfortable, and tricky to talk about. Today’s topic, in particular, might be a bit covert, but it’s also a key one for many MSers.

Kidney infections are common among those with MS. Certain MS lesions may affect any part of the urinary track, wreaking havoc on its functions. MS-related spasticity can also contribute to the problem. This can all result in increased frequency, frequent nighttime episodes, inability to empty the bladder fully, pain, fever, and even incontinence.

In a severe case, a kidney or bladder infection can be a real kick in the gut, making the sufferer feel like keeling over. 

I’m not even kidding.

Professional medical attention (including medication) may help with these issues. Physical therapy, catheterization, and other treatments may be referred, along with lifestyle tips for dealing with such conditions. 

Left untreated, these issues can become chronic. 

It’s important to keep up with such prevention, management, and treatment regimens, as this sort of problem may increase the MSer’s existing lifestyle limitations and resulting isolation, if left untreated.

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Series title graphic adapted from public domain artwork.

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Is MS gonna make me a germaphobe?

Eek! It’s a germ!

Multiple sclerosis warriors know the drill. We understand that this thing is still incurable, although we hold onto hope that a cure is coming, just around the bend. We have read the research, explaining how MS basically means our bodies are betraying us. Our immune systems like to go into overdrive, attacking us without just cause.

Toss in a real infection, and the sleeping giant that is the immune system rises with a vengeance. Then we can be in real trouble. When we catch a cold, the flu, or another illness, we sort of become sitting ducks for full-blown MS exacerbations.

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Germaphobia is a genuine concern for the MSer.

A slight bout with sickness just might toss any of us into MS distress. On the other hand, stress also aggravates MS. That means worrying about germs can be a problem too.

So what do we do about handshakes? (Read: Health and etiquette: Should handshakes be handed off?) How about handling shopping carts at the grocery store? Do we recoil at the idea of touching elevator buttons, sink faucets, doorknobs, stair railings, or light-switches? (Don’t get me started about airplane seats, arm rests, and tray tables.)

Maybe we shudder to think about pressing our fingertips on the control panels of the treadmill, stationary bicycle, or rowing machine at the gym (if we are still fortunate enough to be able to work out).

Personally, I try not to freak out about germs, but I am surely conscious of the possibilities of infection. I wash my hands frequently. I carry a tub of handy cleaning wipes in my car and tuck smaller pouches of them in my gym bag and my handbag. I also keep little tubes of antibacterial hand sanitizer around.

And I pray a lot. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I pray more about food safety than provisional gratitude, when we say grace before eating. I want to work on that balance, but clearly both prayers are important.

Pixabay public domain photo.

What about mixing with sick people?

I think it’s important for folks to understand that the MSer (and anyone else with an autoimmune issue) is not acting anti-socially when canceling a get-together or declining an invitation. If we telephone or send cards, instead of visiting, when a friend or loved one is hospitalized, it doesn’t mean we care any less.

And, if we show up, we’re not being snobby or stand-offish, if we stand back from the hugging or give you a friendly nod in place of a handshake, especially if you are coughing or sneezing or complaining about illness.

We really just cannot afford to be laid up for days or weeks with an MS relapse after catching whatever you have. We want to be friendly. Most of us honestly desire to reach out. But we have learned (usually the hard way) that we have to guard our health.

Because with MS, our own bodies really are out to get us, especially when we’re under the weather.

This week, for example, I am wrestling with MS-related balance issues, nearly constant vertigo, and intermittent sudden-onset fatigue that knocks me flat several times a day. I don’t have stomach flu or a raging head cold. So far, the flu-ishness is just a matter of stuffy head, all-over achiness, and several county-clearing sneezes each day. But the harbinger is here.

Something’s a-coming. The MS MonSter is not on the porch yet. But something about this whole deal rings a bell.

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Ever want to put on a mask and just hide from the world?

Maybe a masquerade isn’t always child’s play.

Halloween is nearly here, and masks are in vogue. Scary and silly masks fill store displays. People of all ages put them on for fun.

Masks invite us all to make believe we are someone (or something) we are not. Maybe we pretend to be spooky figures, wild beasts, or comical characters. Generally, it’s all in good fun – or so folks say.

That’s not what I mean here about putting on masks.

Psychologists like to talk about masks as emotional defense mechanisms. Perhaps people put on figurative masks to hide their feelings, store their internal secrets, or feign positivity when they don’t really mean it. Sure, mental health experts make a valid point.

But that’s not it, either. Not for the MSer.

When the MS MonSter attacks, sometimes the MS warrior may want simply to slip on a mask and go through the motions of life without having to explain or engage. Although we’ve been told countless times on our best days, “You don’t look sick,” we have days when we glance in the mirror and see death warmed over.

Our foreheads crinkle. Our brows bend downward on the sides. Our smiles droop into frowns. Our heads drop, putting even more pressure on our already aching necks and backs. Our shoulders slump. We may look a whole lot older than our years, at least for a stretch.

You get the point.

Then, if we do drag ourselves out and about, we inevitably run into all manner of colleagues, family members, friends, neighbors, or others.

“How are you?” they ask. But they don’t really want a rundown.

So we simply answer, “Fine, and you?” Then we shuffle along, wishing we’d avoided the whole interaction, so we wouldn’t have had to lie about how we really feel.

Some days, a mask is just what the doctor ordered. It’s easier to be anonymous when we’re under the weather. 

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 Vintage photo / public domain

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Excuses: Ever played the MS card?

Is there an MS card that allows anyone with multiple sclerosis to duck out of unappealing tasks or events with impunity? Do you ever cite MS as an excuse, simply to get out of doing something you just plain don’t want to do?

• “Rats. I’ll have to miss the toddler’s birthday party. I’m having an MS flare-up.”
• “Gee, I’d be happy to help you move out of your apartment. But it’s a bad MS day for me.”
• “You want me to babysit for your four kids for the whole weekend? Well, I certainly would, if I weren’t facing a bad MS spell.”
• “Can you fold the laundry this time? MS is knocking me down right now.”
• “Try the ropes course? Not with MS, I won’t.”
• “If I didn’t have MS, I would love to chaperone the all-school field trip to the three-ring circus.”

Or have you ever pointed to MS to soften the blow, if you somehow performed below your own (or others’) expectations?

• “My painting (or craft project, or whatever) would have turned out better, if I wasn’t battling MS symptoms today.”
• “I would have biked (or run or swum or whatever) a whole lot faster, if MS wasn’t dragging me down just now.”
• “What? I didn’t pick up everything on the shopping list? It’s that MS fog again.”
•  “Oops. I dropped the ball again. Stupid MS.”
• “I failed the audition because of MS.”
• “There I go, tripping over my own toes again. It’s the MS.”

It’s OK. We’re among friends here. We get it.

Often, MS legitimately bears the blame for our skips and our shortcomings. Exacerbations and symptom flare-ups can set us on the proverbial back burner for a bit.

Maybe we bow out of something at the last minute. We feel terrible about canceling, but we honestly feel terrible.

Perhaps we move slower, become clumsier, shuffle along, stumble around, or forget things. MS can actually do that to us.

But sometimes … just once in a while … do we bring up MS as an alibi or an easy out?

OK, I’ve done it. (I’d bet most of us have.) Sometimes I just haven’t felt like attending or exerting. I might not be stuck in the middle of a full-scale MS relapse. But I can’t seem to muster the wherewithal to show up. Is that so wrong? Is that even unfair?

Wait a sec. Maybe that lack of energy, motivation, and oomph has something to do with MS after all. That means it might be an honest reason and not a cop-out at all.

We’re not bluffing.

Seriously, I’ve been accused of using the supposed MS card countless times by folks who have no clue what life with multiple sclerosis is all about. They’re disappointed or angry and want someone to blame, so they call foul.

• “You sure don’t seem sick to me.”
• “C’mon, if you really wanted to join us, you would.”
• “Plea-ase! We really need your help. You can do this, if you mean it.”
• “How can you be tired? You went to bed early last night.”
• “Don’t come calling, when you need my help.”
•  “Hey, you can always rest tomorrow instead.”
•  “You’re just faking, aren’t you?”
• “But it’s your turn to pitch in.”

Oh, boy. Sounds like some jokers are a few cards short of a deck, right? (Sorry, I had to go there.)

MS is not some special wild card that gives us a pass for stuff we don’t want to do.

A chronic medical condition is not a rationalization for non-participation or disappointing accomplishments. It doesn’t leapfrog us out of our less-than-stellar achievements. If you’re a card-carrying MSer (like me), you don’t need that kind of license, anyway.

Most of us try to be above-board about MS. Deal us in. We want to ante up and push our own limits - whenever we can.

You bet we do.

Still, the writing is already on the wall. We’re gonna miss gatherings. We’re gonna skip plenty of extra projects. We’re gonna go a little slower. We might even reel a bit. Some days, it’s gonna take every ace in the deck for us to get up and get through it.

And even doing all that requires us to play our cards just right. And that doesn’t include the legendary MS card – just the cards we’ve been dealt.

Image/s:

 Adapted from public domain artwork and photo

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