"EXACERBATION"

By Kelly Tomlinson




My neurologist and I recently had a lengthy discussion regarding what constituted an exacerbation of symptoms and what was merely a fluctuation of symptoms. She spelled it out very clearly for me. If the symptoms persisted for more than 48 hours she considered it an exacerbation and I was to come in to the office and see her immediately. Any time less in duration was just an increase in symptoms possibly due to other factors and should subside with rest.


I happened to have, by her definition, an exacerbation. Of course being the stubborn male that I am, I thought I would wait 96 hours to see if the symptoms would abate. Unfortunately they did not and my wife, with her 2 X 4 firmly grasped in hand, knocked some sense into me and convinced me to go see my neurologist. This one was a scary one. I saw first hand the weakness in my legs as I sat on the exam table. The neurologist placed her hand on the top of my thigh and asked me to push up against her hand. Nothing…no strength whatsoever. Seeing is believing they say.


It seems ironic to me that here I am with a disease that strikes women more often than men and yet I see a female neurologist for my care. The exact opposite of what the statistics say. Ah yes, the women in my life. I have no one to blame but myself. Except for my mother, I know I made the free choice of my neurologist and my wife. I will have to say I have a great amount of respect for all three of them.


My mother is an ex-Navy nurse, tough as nails yet is very concerned about my well-being. She has been through more in her lifetime than I every will during the course of my MS. My neurologist is an ex-Navy physician. She is direct and to the point, no doubt about that. Keeping me healthy is a priority for her. And then there is my wife, who grew up in a Marine household and has a combination of the bedside manners of both of these women. I like to think of the it as “quit being such a big baby, don’t think, just do what I tell you!” And of course, what else is there to do but snap to attention, salute and say “yes ma’am”







You can be assured that in the future on the 49th hour of a persistent symptom I will be calling for an appointment to see my neurologist. Like they say in the Navy, “aye, aye captain!”
 

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