I use to laugh all the time, but now I do more smiling. Check the side effects to a med. Or like me, the older I get, the less I laugh.

Hubby's previous neuro in IL spoke about this with us, as I came to the appointment. He referred to this as emotional incontinence. He spoke to me in a very serious manner and asked me if he,hubby, was displaying emotion at wrong times ie crying, laughing or smiling at sad events. Hubby did not have this issue but it was the first time I heard about this even being a possible symptom.

There is a problem with emotional lability that some people have. Montel Williams strikes me as someone who may have it. But in your case Sue I wonder if its a reflection of going through a protracted struggle with pain and rehab. I see myself in that light for some other reasons.

The fact you miss it is a sign to me that it will be back :)

Melanie

I try to laugh and smile all the time, but its fake. Like doing what people want me to do. The only thing thats real is when I cry, and that doesnt happen enough.

Like Cujo74, any laughing and smiling is a front. Since transitioning to SPMS, I have not had any joy, only pain, depression, and heartache. I keep up the front for others, but I don't know how much longer I can do this.

Thank you all for your replies, I will check the interactions of side effects. I think number 3 probably hit it on the head & it will take time to get back to any form of "normal". I have had so much happen in a short space of time. Still waiting for the leg wound to heal & have district nurse coming 2 times a week.
Just waiting for our holiday & cruise which is fast coming. It's only 2 weeks now, but of course our fridge had to die & we had to get it repaired for more cost that was not budgeted for. 1 more thing to have to worry about. LOL

I'm sure this will pass! Having a cruise to look forward to is surely spirit lifting (all I have to look forward to at the moment is a trip to the dentist)

The condition S.A.D. crossed my mind - wiki has a good explanation. Seems you can get it is any season!!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder

Meds for depression and anxiety fixed this for me. I became like my old self. I was on them for 6 months. I just went off them and am still doing well. If you are sad or crying all the time get help. Depression comes with the load we carry. Also I actively seek joy and choose it daily. I refuse to give in. Good luck.

I have gone through bouts of this. I know certain antidepressents (wellbuterin, paxil) have done this to me too. it comes and goes. hopefully yours will go soon and you will be back to the happy self!

I found getting some extra rest and making myself take time to do a few things I really enjoy help me get it back quicker..

MS can cause PseudoBulbar Affect. This refers to a neurologic disorder characterized by involuntary crying or uncontrollable episodes of crying and/or laughing, or other emotional displays. PBA occurs secondary to neurologic disease or brain injury. Patients may find themselves crying uncontrollably at something that is only moderately sad, being unable to stop themselves for several minutes. Episodes may also be mood-incongruent: a patient might laugh uncontrollably when angry or frustrated, for example. Some anti-depressants can treat this like amitriptyline There is a new medicine out now for PBA. It is nuedexta. I am unable to take nuedexta. I have moments when I cry and can not stop it. I tend to laugh or smile at something that I should not laugh at.

Thanks for all your comments & ideas. I am not crying much at all & don't think I am depressed at all, frustrated would be more precise. I had foot surgery September that took months to heal after 9 weeks in hospital & rehab. now still cant laugh & got a dreadful cold/flu. Barking/cough is getting worse & more flemmy so not good when we go away Saturday week, then cruise on the Wednesday which is overseas - Asia. Got lots to do before then like work out how much of all medications I need & if I need new scripts etc. Then I got to work out packing etc. Don't mind that.

Have a great time and send us a postcard!

Melanie :)

Watching a Rodney Dangerfield or Bill Murray movie will make me laugh. I also listen to a AM radio station that has all comedians 24/7. It has bits of different comedians doing stand up. That is always a pick me up. I found it by accident.

I have the uncontrollable crying at times. But the med for it is so strong, my doc didn't want to give it to me to treat the psydobulbar effect. So I live with it.

But I do laugh at someone funny. I sometimes, I laugh at myself because I can be such a fool at times. Life can be amusing. Try not to take it too seriously.

Good luck on your cruise. Hopefully, that will make things really nice. Bon voyage!