Mike27
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 280
- Diagnosis
- 10/1993
- Country
- CA
- State
- Alberta
- City
- Edmonton
Hi guys,
I think you're exactly right, that it's a mental thing.
I know if I need to go, my mind starts racing through all the worse case scenarios (What if I can't find a wheelchair stall, what if I don't make it etc) and I freak myself out.
I can feel my breath get short and my pulse race. I got myself to a point where I was so nervous (and focused on me and my problems) that I didn't want to leave the house! Missed a couple of school concerts, my daughter's dance recital...(I'd swear right now, but no.)
What I've started doing is tellling myself, what's the worse thing to happpen? If your prepared with a "Go-Bag" like Cindy, aside from a little embarassment, everything will turn out fine. The city won't collapse and the world won't end. Basically, I'm trying to keep my damned ego in check!
I figure if I can psych myself out of a behaviour, I can probably psych myself back into a behaviour. I've been taking small trips out and built up from there. I feel fairly confident about going out now, though I sometimes get a pang of anxiety.
It's probably alot like a reformed smoker getting the 'urge to light up' every now and then.
My advice would be don't wait. As soon as you fell the need go, then find a washroom. It's not like before anymore...before ALS, I mean. We have a few obstacles to navigate now, so we need a bit of a headstart!
I would even try to go every hour to 90 minutes whether you feel the need or not. A bit of a proactive approach.
Good topic! Not the best thing to think about but very real!
Cheers!
I think you're exactly right, that it's a mental thing.
I know if I need to go, my mind starts racing through all the worse case scenarios (What if I can't find a wheelchair stall, what if I don't make it etc) and I freak myself out.
I can feel my breath get short and my pulse race. I got myself to a point where I was so nervous (and focused on me and my problems) that I didn't want to leave the house! Missed a couple of school concerts, my daughter's dance recital...(I'd swear right now, but no.)
What I've started doing is tellling myself, what's the worse thing to happpen? If your prepared with a "Go-Bag" like Cindy, aside from a little embarassment, everything will turn out fine. The city won't collapse and the world won't end. Basically, I'm trying to keep my damned ego in check!
I figure if I can psych myself out of a behaviour, I can probably psych myself back into a behaviour. I've been taking small trips out and built up from there. I feel fairly confident about going out now, though I sometimes get a pang of anxiety.
It's probably alot like a reformed smoker getting the 'urge to light up' every now and then.
My advice would be don't wait. As soon as you fell the need go, then find a washroom. It's not like before anymore...before ALS, I mean. We have a few obstacles to navigate now, so we need a bit of a headstart!
I would even try to go every hour to 90 minutes whether you feel the need or not. A bit of a proactive approach.
Good topic! Not the best thing to think about but very real!
Cheers!