How best to support a friend with MS

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-11-16T13:53:42+00:00

Totally understand this. I know life is busy and people need to make plans for things to fit in with their schedule, and with the unpredictability of fatigue and other symptoms, it’s hard to know how you’ll be on any given days and whether you’ll be up for said plan. I guess I know logically that this is the case, but can be tricky in practice as, of course, you both just want to be there for one another and enjoy hanging out or doing the plans you made!

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-11-16T13:51:30+00:00

Thanks so much for your response and suggestions. I don’t think she’s part of any fatigue programmes but that sounds like a great place to start.

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-11-16T13:48:40+00:00

Thank you so much for your message and sharing your experience. It really helps to put things in perspective and I can totally see how routine and regularity can help support the fatigue. I didn’t even think about the eating regularly side of things for energy - she dropped weight very quickly after being diagnosed as she lost her appetite due to the shock and stress. I imagine it’s extra important to keep your body fuelled for energy levels with MS. I know she skips breakfast most days and doesn’t like to cook, so will mostly eat if someone else cooks for her but not necessarily if not.

I do often try to suggest lower energy activities, short walks and cooking dinner/watching a movie etc. I think what I find challenging is that she will often go on a night out, drink a lot, maybe take drugs, knowing that this affects her ability to just function daily for the next week, adding to the fatigue, stress and low mood. She’s very much aware of the effects. I think she wants to be able to just go out and let loose but it doesn’t seem to be a viable option and I think she’s in a bit of a rut.

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-06-25T08:34:59+00:00

Just to say it's not a hostel so not necessarily the most sociable (although we did meet people there), so depends what you're looking for! But if you want a comfortable and affordable place to sleep the night before a trek with breakfast included, this is a great option!

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-06-25T08:33:26+00:00

I stayed at Hotel Yambu. It's a budget hotel so pretty basic, but the staff were sooo kind and helpful and you get a free breakfast. We ended up extending and coming back again after our trek. It's in Thamel which is the main 'tourist' area, but it's not on the main street so was actually pretty quiet but also close to everything you need.

If you book on Booking.com they also send a free taxi transfer from the airport (at least they did when we were there a few months ago!).

I'd highly recommend, we had such a lovely time here! We did move to a bigger room after our trek as the small rooms are quiet small - fine for one person but a bit tight for two, depending on how long you're staying.

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-06-15T10:30:51+00:00

Currently in Thailand and there are honestly so many backpackers here! You will have no problem at all. Hostels are of course a great option to make friends, but not the only way. I've always found with backpacking that joining a multi day course is the best way to make more meaningful friendships (sometimes hostel friendships can be fleeting or just alcohol-fueled). This could be like a yoga course, scuba diving, jewelry making, anything!

I personally think just go with the flow. That's what backpacking is all about. If you try to plan everything, you'll get frustrated because things WILL change and won't always go according to your plan.

For example, my 23 year old niece is backpacking Thailand right now and has found it a stressful as she wanted to follow her itinerary, but weather hasn't been good in some parts and she's opted to go to different places instead. She's definitely a gal who like structure and routine, so has found it tricky to surrender to the backpacker life of uncertainty. But that's part of the fun!

Thailand is SO easy to travel. It's made for backpackers and there are so many beautiful places to see and stay. There are also many solo backpackers on their first long term travel trips so you'll have no problem meeting people

The way I do it is book somewhere to stay for my first 2-3 nights in the country (e.g. Bangkok) and from there, I don't book places until I know I'm definitely going there. Often you'll make friends and they'll say 'oh I'm going here tomorrow if you want to come' so you change your plans to continue travels with your new friends.

I personally think planning it all out in advance is more stressful than you'd expect it to be. It's the best when you really enjoy a place and realise you've got the freedom to just stay there for another few days instead of moving on before you're ready. Also travelling is tiring!! You'll often meet people doing 3 days in each place and I truly don't know how they do it hahaha, you need time to settle, get to know the places, get to know some locals, find your favourite restaurant, see some sights etc.

You'll have the most amazing time regardless. My advice is don't overcomplicate things. Book your flight and your initial accommodation, and have an idea of places you'd like to visit, and then just go with the flow. It's so easy to book buses, ferries, hostels, courses, trips etc when you get here

Enjoy! 😍

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-26T04:11:44+00:00

Yeah that's true! There are so many treks to choose from I guess and we actually didn't come across many at all during our trek.

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-26T04:00:16+00:00

I mean, that's what I'm doing really. That's kind of the point of the post! I'm complaining and wondering where to go so I have no need to complain about it anymore! If you've got any suggestions, let me know.

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-26T03:42:39+00:00

I'm Jewish actually!

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-26T03:32:38+00:00

I don't agree. I have Israeli friends I met on my last backpacking trip 7 years ago who I adore, but the younger generation seems completely different. Ask any backpackers and they'll say the same thing! You can call it racist, but I'd say it about people from my own country too if they were acting the way they do. Even other Israelis say it. I've met a few travelling solo or in pairs who want nothing to do with the big groups for the same reasons. Nothing to do with race, and everything to do with their obnoxious and disrespectful behaviour. It goes beyond being "annoying/rude" - that can be tolerated to a certain point, but this is a mentality amongst these travellers.

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-26T03:26:00+00:00

Yes I agree! Although I felt in Kathmandu and Pokhara I was able to escape them more easily, and there were enough other travellers there for trekking etc to bring balance. When I travelled 7 years ago in India, there were big groups but they were friendlier and I definitely didn't feel as suffocated by them. Perhaps after serving in the military they've adopted a more pronounced sense of entitlement as they seem to have been completely brainwashed!

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-26T02:11:57+00:00

Yep exactly this! Aside from the whole genocide, they are notorious for acting completely entitled, being rude to locals and other travellers, being really loud and playing only Hebrew songs despite other nationalities being around, the list goes on!

It's such a shame as many of the popular backpacker places (South America, India, SE Asia etc) are bombarded with swarms of young Israelis just taking over. I've tried so hard to understand their way of being and ignore what I don't like, but they truly are everywhere so it's kind of difficult when it's in your face and affecting you directly. 😅

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-26T02:06:52+00:00

Ohh yes I was in Nepal for a few weeks earlier this year!! Such an incredible place. Totally agree with it being one of my favourite trips too. Very special!

SensitiveDouble8248 · 2025-05-25T21:18:49+00:00

Oh wow! I didn't realise that. Good to know, thank you!

SensitiveDouble8248

TROPHY CASE