Posted by Dave Emond (205.188.199.189) on December 03, 2001 at 06:24:00:
In Reply to: Going Chronic posted by Chris B on December 03, 2001 at 05:03:18:
Hi Chris,
I have to say I know exactly where you at mentally on this. I had been episodic for years, 3 month bouts from January through March. This year, it arrived late in Febuary, killing my hopes that I was going to skip my usual bout. It has not ended for me yet, in fact, that's what I'm doing up at this time in the morning. Ran the table on preventatives, none worked, and now use O2 and Imitrex Nasal or injections as abortives. Although they seem to not do as good as they did a few months back. My Neuro has said I've gone chronic, which the mere thought of had always scared me to death.
I guess my suggestion would first be to not panic. There is no way to know if you're going chronic yet or not, so the best thing you can do for yourself right now is to not dwell on it. Easier to say than to do I know, but try.
When I first started getting concerned about myself going chronic, I did learn of other possibilities, and even if they haven't applied to me yet, they very well could for you.
Many had told me of themselves having unusually longer bouts than normal, only to find they in return had even longer periods of remission. So that is the hope I would keep in mind, try to keep a positive outlook, worrying won't help at all. I'm still even keeping that in the back of my mind for hope for my future.
I too was positive that I could no hack being chronic. But, I am still here, as are many others. I won't lie and say it hasn't changed my life considerably, it has, but I will never give up the fight. Going chronic mainly means accepting and finding new ways to go about life. Knowing you can still be productive in some fashion, and grabbing hold of that and building new strengths from it.
Where you're at now, my advice is not to worry about going chronic, but instead look for every positive you can find. Please try not to let anger or depression take over, that will only lead to giving in, a big difference from accepting. You may, and I still hope for myself, be one of those who does finally end up going into a long remission after going through a longer and tougher bout than "normal". I think probably all chronics have learned their own methods of coping, and it can be done, you'll have to just trust me on that. But for now, it's way too early for you to add the extra pressure on yourself worrying about going chronic. Keep looking for that light at the end of the tunnell, it is most likely still there. Feel free to write me anytime Chris if the stress gets overpowering, there is still life whether episodic or chronic. It's all in attitude. Best of luck to you, try not to worry too much this early on,
Dave