My "MS Emergency Kit:" Navigating Life With MS When You’re Not Feeling Your Best

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is like living in an area prone to earthquakes. Earthquakes are notoriously unpredictable; you might feel some tremors before they hit, but most of the time they occur without warning. That’s why it’s crucial to always have an emergency earthquake kit prepped and ready to go.

Similarly, when living with MS, it’s a good idea to have an “MS emergency kit:” a game plan to help you take care of yourself when a “natural disaster” hits without warning.

Creating an MS emergency game plan

Should I try this or that? Am I resting too much or not enough? What did and didn’t work last time? Even though I’ve been through this before, I can never seem to remember how I survived my last neurological disaster. It’s like starting with a blank slate every time. So I end up wasting valuable time and energy trying to rediscover my personal dos and don’ts of an MS relapse.

This is why I think it’s important to have a game plan you can quickly turn to and follow when an MS flare occurs. I keep my plan documented on my computer, so I can refer to it and jot down any thoughts or adjustments for next time.

Just like how emergency kits for different natural disasters may contain different items, the contents of your “MS emergency kit” will probably differ from someone else’s. Everyone’s MS is unique; what works for one person won’t work for everyone. The goal is to create a game plan tailored for you and your type of MS. Here’s the strategy I’ve put together and tried to follow over the years.

What my plan entails

Listen to your body

The most simple yet crucial thing is to listen to your body. Now is not the time to try to push through it. Stop and rest as often and as long as you need. You don’t want to push it and end up making things worse, as I’ve done many times before.

Adjust your schedule

When MS acts up, prioritizing your schedule becomes essential. Write down everything you need to get done and everything you want to get done in order of priority. Postpone any non-urgent tasks so you can focus on what’s essential. In my experience, everything takes longer to complete when my MS is acting up, so I know not to “fill up my plate” too much.

Simplify tasks

In addition to not overfilling your plate, try to simplify your daily tasks so you don’t spend too much time and energy on them. If the battery on your phone is low, you’re probably not going to use it for anything unless it’s essential. Breaking tasks into smaller steps makes them cost less energy, feel more manageable, and feel less overwhelming.

Ask for help and support

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you’re struggling, even if it’s something simple. If you broke your arm, no one would think you’re weak for needing help with the dishes. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups when feeling overwhelmed. I’m better at it now, but this was something I had a hard time with for the longest time.

Mindfulness and rest

Stress has always been one of my worst MS triggers. While I’m no pro, I’ve found that practicing mindfulness exercises is crucial when dealing with an MS flare-up. Stress makes everything more difficult and can prevent you from staying calm and thinking clearly. This can lead to mistakes or injuries, cause more stress, make symptoms harder to deal with, and ultimately work against your MS disaster recovery efforts.

What about you?

What’s in your “MS emergency kit?” What strategies do you use to cope with those challenging MS days?

Share your tips and experiences below to help someone who’s having a tough time with their MS.