When Symptoms Sneak Up
I may currently be in the middle of what my care team calls the “crap gap.” It’s that lovely window before my next infusion when symptoms decide to throw a party. This week, my legs have been buzzing from the kneecaps down. Phantom pains pop up. And my right big toe? It feels like it’s been dunked in a bottle of Icy Hot. Zero out of ten stars. Do not recommend.
The first couple of years after my diagnosis were smoother. Symptoms came and went, but rarely stuck around. This time, they’ve unpacked their bags and seem ready to stay awhile. I can tell you this much: I don’t like it.
The Grocery Store Showdown
One of my most memorable symptom moments happened at Harris Teeter a few weeks after my diagnosis. I drove myself four miles, parked far away for extra steps, and walked toward the entrance. Then, mid‑stride, everything changed. Both feet suddenly felt like cinder blocks. If I had kept moving, my body would have folded like a lawn chair.
Other shoppers breezed past, grabbing carts and baskets. I stood frozen in the middle of the walkway, kneeling down pretending to tie my shoes. It was my best attempt at looking normal while my brain screamed, What now?
Choosing My Next Move
I had two options. Option one: shuffle back to my car and hope I could drive safely. Option two: grab a cart and use it as a walker. Calling a friend was technically option three, but I didn’t want to wait awkwardly in then entrance. So, I stood up, took a deep breath, and aimed for the carts.
Each step felt like a slow‑motion scene from a slapstick movie. My feet were heavy, balance shaky, and arms flailing for stability. I looked like one of those inflatable tube men outside a car dealership. Wide stance, wild arms, and zero coordination. I just hoped no one asked if I needed help. I was focused on survival, not conversation.
Finding My Balance
After what felt like an eternity, I reached the carts. Victory! I leaned on one and started my slow tour through the store. I was switching everything to organic products, so I had plenty of time to browse. As I moved, the heaviness in my legs began to fade. Each aisle I slowly progressed. By the time I reached the checkout, I was walking almost normally again.
That day taught me something important. Sometimes, the only way forward is one wobbly step at a time. I learned to stay calm when MS symptoms in grocery store moments appear without warning. Even if you look like an inflatable tube man doing his best impression of grace.
Finding Support When Symptoms Shift
Thinking back to that Harris Teeter moment combined with my current symptoms, I need something that reminds me I’m not alone on this journey. This thought leads me back to the flyer I picked up at Walk MS Triad. The flyer listed a virtual MS support group that meets each month. I contacted the organizer and received the Zoom link for today’s session. The timing feels perfect because my symptoms have been loud this week. I plan to join the meeting and learn from others who understand this life. Their stories will help me stay grounded when my own symptoms shift without warning. My Walk MS Triad post is linked in the My MS Journey Series below so readers can see where I found the group.
My MS Journey Series
- Homepage: My MS Journey
- Post #1: How My Grandma’s Legendary Fall Shaped My MS Mindset
- Post #2: Choosing MS Treatment with Humor and Panic
- Post #3: How My MS Symptoms Finally Forced Me to Listen
- Post #4: Why I Joined My First MS Research Study
- Post #5: Why I Spoke Up About NIH Funding
- Post #7: My First MRI Update Since Diagnosis: A Surprising Step Forward
- Post #8: Beat Autoimmune: The Six Lifestyle Keys That Changed My MS Journey
- Post #9: My First Ocrevus Infusion and the Three-Year Price Roller Coaster
- Post #10: Sixth Ocrevus Infusion, New Routines, and an Unexpected Family Emergency
- Post #11: The Mono Chapter I Never Expected to Matter
- Post #12: Mean Baby by Selma Blair
- Post #13: The Night I Went Searching for Answers at an MS Patient Event
- Post #14: Discovering the MeSsy Podcast and the Stories That Shape Us
- Post #15: You With The Sad Eyes A Memoir by Christina Applegate
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