Duration of relapse?

[seal]

I know every one and every relapse is different, but, about how long do relapses usually last? They do go away, don't they?!? Haven't been able to find any info on duration, and I'm going crazy wondering... thanks!

[Redwings]

Hi seal:
This is from an article from WebMD:
"Many will get significant improvement within three months or so. Part of the difficulty with relapse is you can never be sure of degree of recovery. In the early years of the disease, usually people experience milder relapses and quicker recovery. More severe relapses, involving things like muscle weakness or loss of bladder function, tend to take longer for recovery."

http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclero...hen-ms-attacks

[seal]

Thank you, I'll book mark Web MD!

[Tawanda]

Relapses? Flares? Honestly, I have felt steadily bad since I was diagnosed and wonder why my doctor calles my M.S. Relapsing/Remitting!

I thought I would go for days, weeks, months or years feeling like my old self, and then have a "flare". For me, it didn't happen like that. I thought a remission would be similar to a cancer remission. That I would feel completely like I used to for awhile...

M.S. is so variable in each person, that no one could give you a definate answer to your question. Do hope you feel better, though, if not 100 percent perfect.

[Spydre]

My relapses have been known to last anywhere from one week to six weeks. It still takes time to recover after that any symptoms - like regaining more function in my left hand, etc.

[daisy.girl]

Relapses? Flares? Honestly, I have felt steadily bad since I was diagnosed and wonder why my doctor calles my M.S. Relapsing/Remitting!

I thought I would go for days, weeks, months or years feeling like my old self, and then have a "flare". For me, it didn't happen like that. I thought a remission would be similar to a cancer remission. That I would feel completely like I used to for awhile...

M.S. is so variable in each person, that no one could give you a definate answer to your question. Do hope you feel better, though, if not 100 percent perfect.

This is me exactly!!! I keep asking my neuro if he is sure that I have MS and not something else. I have never felt better, and now I am really depressed too. I hate this disease; or what ever I have!

I sure hope you feel better soon

[hope32]

My first one was acute ataxia (right side). Lasted about 3 weeks and then cleared up. I had some residual weakness on my right side for years after that.

A month after the first I had paroxysmal something spasms for several weeks and those cleared up. My neuro at the time said it was caused by the lesion from the first attack; the one I'm seeing now disagrees.

Six years later I had really intense paresthesia on my left side. Lasted about 3 weeks, then mostly cleared up but my left side is still much more prone to "falling asleep."

Currently I thought I've been having one for the past 5-6 weeks but the radiologist's report says no active lesions so I have no idea what's going on.

[Citlalli]

• I have found Buddhist meditation a great hope in learning how to live "in the moment," especially since the "moments" in MS (read relapses) can be longer or shorter and we never know why. It's really challenging to find the balance between hope and acceptance. My remissions have been long (+/- 10 years) and my relapses strong (from walking to cane, crutches, wheelchair and back up, with vertigo, numbness and other symptoms sprinkled in), but am now four months in and although bad vertigo came for a month and mercifully left, my walking is still affected. I'm wondering if I've finally hit some kind of snag. 61 years old and always told I don't have typical lesions for MS (some other kind of lesions?)... so not sure where this puts me. Started Baclofen for constant spasms (cramps?) and it's certainly helped. Physical therapist says just keep doing stretches and that it has to be a constant part of my life from now on. Does that mean he doesn't think this relapse will end? Have to admit I'm afraid to ask, so I understand how it can feel not to see much light at the end of the tunnel. Curious myself how long the longest relapse can last. This one is definitely challenging my sense of identity. I hope you find yourself quickly on the far side of yours!! Keep us posted.

[Thinkimjob]

Early on, it did feel like 'remission'. No more. It's been one long relapse for, ooooohhh, two years. Not the same thing all the time. Leg, numbness, balance, sort of like a revolving door. It does not end. I get a good-ish day once in a while.
Honestly, I think remission is not what it's cracked up to be. MS is always there, under the surface, drugs or no drugs, right from Day One. When there's too much accumulated damage, the symptoms don't 'go away' anymore.

[Mamabug]

Mine have probably lasted anywhere from days to 6 months.

~ Faith

[SNOOPY]

This is from an article from WebMD:
" In the early years of the disease, usually people experience milder relapses and quicker recovery.

This is one area that doesn't fit...for me.

I have had 3 severe relapses, the first one got me diagnosed, the second was one year later and the third was 7 years later. My last 2 relapses were mild.

The severe relapses lasted 4 to 6 weeks with recovery taking longer. The mild relapses lasted 2 to 3 weeks with no recovery needed.

[gypsy]

With every flare/relapse, I've had residual effects. They've never fully gone away completely. I've had ON twice and my vision has never been the same. The numbness and tingling in my left side has been there for a year and a half, some days it's more severe than others. And so far I'm 5 weeks in to the worst case of vertigo I've ever had. It's gotten better but I have this constant rocking motion feeling, like I'm a bobblehead.

Over time, I do start to feel better but I dont know if it's because I've adjusted to the symptoms or if the lesions causing them have calmed down. It's probably a combo of both.

I think those of us with MS tend to adjust to what we're going through and it helps. Sometimes it truly is mind over matter.

[Mamabug]

This is one area that doesn't fit...for me.

I have had 3 severe relapses, the first one got me diagnosed, the second was one year later and the third was 7 years later. My last 2 relapses were mild.

The severe relapses lasted 4 to 6 weeks with recovery taking longer. The mild relapses lasted 2 to 3 weeks with no recovery needed.

Milder relapses in the early years of the disease also does not fit me.

My first flare, in 2002, included stroke-like symptoms severe dizziness, and involved my first ER visit, a hospital admission, 3 months off work, and much PT and OT to recover. Before the recovery was quite complete, it was followed by a 2nd flare, which involved multiple ER visits and hospitalizations and another 5 months off work.

Although subsequent flares were also often serious (especially prior to 2008, but also one in 2010) and involved hospitalizations, no others required ER visits or that many months off work. I supsect 1-3 week relapses are more common than those that last many months.

~ Faith

[Tawanda]

With every flare/relapse, I've had residual effects.

I think those of us with MS tend to adjust to what we're going through and it helps. Sometimes it truly is mind over matter.

Just wanted to hit on these points you made. Perhaps an M.S. "remission" is more like my psoriasis. There are definate attacks. When I have a "flare" the patches are REALLY big, red, painful and itchy. I use a cream containing steroids, and everything calms down, but NEVER do these patches completely go away, but they do lesson considerably. Possibly, this is what goes on with an M.S. flare after a Solumedral treatment, things are calmer, but it's all still in there.

As for the "mind over matter" quote. That has been my mantra since the day I was diagnosed. It is difficult in practice, but a good tool for a disease of this kind as there ain't a whole lot else you can do. Pretty soon we'll be walking over hot coals and lying on a bed of needles and not even feeling it!

[Thinkimjob]

I think Gypsy's right. You adjust to whatever turns up, and it doesn't seem quite so bad after a while. You get used it. Don't like it, wish it would just go away, but there's nothing you can about it.