Top 10 Tips to Help Your Family Understand Your Chronic Condition

[@AaronBosterMD]

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[@ashleys9973]

As one of your followers, and an ICU RN living with MS. I'd love to hear a discussion on healthcare professionals who live with MS. Our profession creates an entirely new experience on living with MS. I'd love to hear a discussion on this 🧡

[@LoveRunsOver]

Brain fog and fatigue and I’m looking for a remote position. It’s hard.😢

[@MsJennifer11]

Sending love ❤ thank you for everything you do!

[@carrieperry7798]

The "potholes in the brain" lecture is the video that really grabbed me and helped me understand. It's the one I sent to my family.

[@i_like_earlgrey]

Hiding symptoms just feels easier. I don’t want my family/friends to worry more than they do. Or for them to feel sorry for me. They offer to take me to my infusions and I appreciate them taking me but I never let them come in with me. I have a strong infusion reaction and I don’t want them to see me like that. It feels…too vulnerable.

[@arthurmiller9103]

Extremely valuable and highly empathetic and brilliant. Thank you Doc Be 🙏 well.

[@RockyMtnRevivalsVintage]

I hope someday to have a provider like you Dr. Boster. So much gaslighting and confusion over whatever autoimmune condition causes my symptoms. In the meantime I continue to struggle.

[@evakumova966]

@AaronBosterMD, thank you so much for your encouraging advice not to hide the difficulties and the neverending weakness...thank you😢 I woun't anymore...it's so hart to be strong...😢

[@desiredecove5815]

I absolutely love this- communication is so important- group support/ along with personal support. ❤ #Sharingiscaring

[@cloressagoldson7518]

Happy Monday and thank you once again for great information and advice. ❤

[@craftyman]

These are all great suggestions! I feel lucky that there are multiple medical people sprinkled through my family that are responsive to my explanations.

[@lutra-lutra]

very helpful, thank you ❤

[@AaronBosterMD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@teresashomeschoolchannel227]

That's me I try to,hide it so ppl don't worry but than other ppl get tired of me talking about it and say I m obsessed about it

[@BlackIowan]

Wonderful video! My tip: Make sure to pee before and after sex or before going to bed. I make sure to pee every 1-2 hours while awake to avoid embarrassing accidents. CBD helps, too!

[@Misfit-from-Zanti]

Remember.. it's not always that they don't understand.. Sometimes, they just don't care.

[@sarahdouglas8251]

Doctor, I’ve been having a signal problem with pooping . I’ve done all the tests and apparently the signal to my internal sphincters are messed up. Diagnosed with MS in 2004. My neuro is not taking it seriously but my gp and gastro are at their wits end trying to fix it. (Been 6 months). Suggestions?

[@Otis_b_driftwood]

I’ve tried being more forthcoming but that has been received as complaining.

[@starlamartin354]

My best friend asks me if I’m peeing when she knows I’m stressed. She knows one of my symptoms is retention. She’s a fantastic support for me.

[@_angierah_]

I'm horrible about not sharing my symptoms, especially feeling drunk when I walk. I don't want to be seen as a hinerance or whiner.

[@TheEDNC]

My family?😂😂😂 I really don’t expect them to understand... but my PCP, he doesn’t even understand it! 😢

[@freethinkeralways]

Dr. Booster refers to families who r interested & want to understand. Mine doesnt.

[@Lisa_P73]

What if your loved ones inundate you with so many questions it literally makes you mentally tired? Also, I have one older sibling that loves to refer to how I need to smoke marijuana every time we have a conversation about my MS. I tell her every time I am not to that point yet. It's getting old and she doesn't want to listen to me. Any suggestions on how to deal with that situation?

[@freethinkeralways]

Just tell her u do smoke 😊

[@kmcq692]

It amazing how much I love your “Right..NOW!” moment in all your videos. Just wanted to let you know. It’s so good that you do that. Thanks for being here for us!

[@AaronBosterMD]

Love that!

[@audreyh1123]

Great video! Being honest about symptoms is an especially tough one!

[@catcapers4973]

Wish you were my neuro. I'm awaiting possible diagnosis and can't get to the mri as stress has me vomiting more than 10 times a day. My neuro is so not compassionate.

[@Dddonalddduckkk]

Aaron, could you look into/ make a video on the fasting mimicking diet that researchers like Valter Longo promote? Thank you Dr. B ❤❤❤ (A Diet Mimicking Fasting Promotes Regeneration and Reduces Autoimmunity and Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms)

[@popcorn682]

I would be interested in a video about this too.

[@jboldt20055]

Yes

[@famasmaster2000]

Such a good advocate for us Dr. Boster It means so much to have you teaching us all and keeping family strong 💪

[@lagrady6933]

I was diagnosed in 1998. I wish I had someone like you in my life. Thanks for your videos . I’m chair dependent, but I’m starting an exercise routine. ❤

[@Yllohyllod]

***tears*** one of these in particular hit a chord. Minimizing how horrible I feel. 😢

[@stonz42]

Thanks for the advice Dr. B. I'm guilty of trying to minimize my symptoms with family and friends to where even i forget I have MS.

[@marydillon3263]

I’m the same. Keep telling myself to just get on with it. It will go away. Suffer really bad with fatigue but honestly think my family think I’m exaggerating it is exhausting trying to mask it all the time.

[@ragub6]

When working, "Boss: You don't look sick." My mindvoice: You don't look stupid" 😂🤣

[@matthewanderson3112]

This may be helpful for women with Multiple Sclerosis. If you're a man. Trying to raise 3 kid's and work 60hrs a week. Best of luck. Nobody gives a crap. You'll find out quick how little support you have. Friends or family...

[@LabradorLady]

I’ve tried to tell my family how sh1t I feel but I get rolled eyes, sighing and even “we get it, ur doing cr4p!” That makes me feel worse!!!

[@mikeshanermusic]

Sadly, it's hard enough for me to even get a ride anywhere from my family. And since they already act like I complain too much, I do try to hide how I really feel. Maybe they're right since I just realized I'm complaining right now in this comment. Life is confusing!!

[@Eric-qk3bk]

Very helpfull. Looking for couple therapy now. My husband for 30 yrs has been my caregiver for the 23 yrs of diagnosis has recently had open heart surgery. It's been rough a village is needed.

[@freethinkeralways]

Same here but 30+ yrs and I was my healthy (then post-op) husband's caregiver + raising kids & having MS.

[@slick-n-wicked]

Some thing that has helped me BIG TIME is fasting 24hrs once a week… ever since I started doing that, I’m able to lift up my left leg and it’s been almost a whole year!!!

[@Dina2662]

If it wasn’t for my boyfriend, I would probably forget half of my Tecfidera doses 😂 he has a reminder on his phone too and will text me from work to make sure I remembered ❤️

[@leonawilliams8102]

Thank you again Dr. B for another great video!! 🎉 #5 is a hard one for sure. Trying not to minimize symptoms with my all of my family, not just my husband, is hard. I don’t want to be a burden, always seem like I am sick or have some sort of problem. I have used #6 many times and it has been so helpful! You explain things so much better than I ever could. Thank you for caring about our relationships with our family.

[@JesusisLord-oj9jm]

Wish you were here in Texas…thanks for your videos. So helpful

[@lemonpeelangelfish]

Thank you so much Dr Boster this is brilliant! It’s so important to have people who understand and support you through this life and its curve balls! 🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🔥🔥

[@SasCooper-o7w]

My Neurologist gave me my Ms diagnosis in April 2023, I've had optic neuritis once in each eye, 5/6 brain lesions no spine MRI ever done. He said no treatment is needed. Would love to hear if you think this is the right decision. I'm a patient in the UK

[@RobbDzzz]

Thanks Doc!

[@runla11]

Thank you Dr. Boster😊

[@Doomwillnotwin]

Hey Dr. Booster... currently getting 2nd half of first dose of Ocrevus as I type this... wondering if you could make a video on colitis issue while on Ocrevus. What can I do to protect my self from it?? Love the videos -a newly diagnosed MS warrior

[@PersephonePersonified]

Dr. Boster is one of my main sources for up to date, empathetic content. I save and share videos often. I believe knowledge is power and communication is key. My biggest fault is masking, honestly. I communicate with my tribe and support, and I appreciate when they communicate with me. The biggest thing is staying motivated and disciplined with care. Thank you for continuing to open a safe space for discussion.

[@kaydee2054]

My husband just went to the neurologists office with me last week. He jadnt met her since my last one retired. We both prefer the retired one.

[@lindamaxwell5773]

Thank you. I needed this.

[@kellio8087]

Doc, can MS cause Bell's Palsy?

[@Carrie.on.the.Canadian.Border]

Would love this in a short to put on my fb page.

[@rachel7of9]

What happens when u don't take/get treatment for MS ?

[@marthakalantzi2090]

Thank you! I love your videos, they are so motivating.

[@AaronBosterMD]

I'm so glad!

[@tereseawalker4516]

thank you Dr Boster .....

[@AaronBosterMD]

Most welcome!

[@tracy1394]

I'm a recently diagnosed nurse living here in warm and sunny Texas. However I'm ready to fight the weather in Ohio just to make you my neurologist.

[@jboldt20055]

Right. I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I just found these today, and I feel so so cheated.

[@lisajones6107]

The neurologist we went to told my partner that we "only pay for 15 minutes at a time and this is her time!". We felt insulted. Never saw the MRIs and was poo pood away and told to check back next year. This "next year" won't be seeing him again!

[@angelamarsh6944]

Thank you, as always Dr.Boster. If I could visit you, I really would. ❤

[@Sally-ih6ls]

Neurologists are scientific, hard to find one with empathy…they just th8nk with facts…took me 3 Neurologists to find one that gave a crap…now he’s retire, a young one in now, not so compassionate

[@lalitalamonte-ym1me]

Such good advice. Thank you for sharing these tips! 😊

[@josephvered3991]

Hi from Israel happy new year to you and your family thanks for the video it will be good to have tips to help our employer to understand MS condition to prevent him saying you look so good so what is your problem.?

[@sherristevens3972]

You explain this very well. Thank you. Amen 😎 👍

[@studiohost]

As a spouse I’m guilty

[@seanjoseph2310]

Do you travel the states?

[@sissylynn6500]

I have MS and I am asking How to Tell Grand Kids under 12 yrs old ! Thank you so very very much I watch you Always your Friend Krissy Lawrenceburg TN

[@sarahdouglas8251]

With my kids, I took an old cell phone charging cord and showed them how, with the protective layer broken, it doesn’t work, or needs to be adjusted to work.

[@borinquena1980]

This! Newly diagnosed. Trying to figure out how to explain it to my 10 yr old.

[@desiredecove5815]

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation has great resources for explaining to children- it always depends on their age- ❤️ My child knows me no other way .

[@Tina-vb4te]

My son does not want to talk about, he's afraid to know what is happening. He see my struggle and gets mad at me. Its confusing

[@aaronblack5772]

This is a depression question, is it wrong for someone to use guilt against someone who has MS and severe depression?

[@JAYSONGS]

‘Guilt’ is never appropriate when used towards/against someone with an illness that was not ‘self inflicted’. Any ‘offering’ of such is to be refuted without question. Also, perhaps ‘reconsider’ the source and their place in your life.