Relapses

[marti]

Can anyone describe your relapses? I'm never sure if I'm in the middle of one or if I'm just.. sick.

Do you have a lot of odd symptoms all at once? More than usual? Different kinds of things?

So far I haven't ever called the neuro when I think I'm relapsing. I just tough it out. But lately everything hurts, burns, tires me out etc.

So I'd just like to compare notes with those who have had definite relapses. Thanks

[22cyclist]

A relapse for me (because this is what my doc requires for a relapse) includes weakness of some kind. I really don't count parasthesias, although it may start that way, I only call when I get weakness of a limb or my face, trouble swallowing, or the like. This will result in the need for IVSM. If I don't want IVSM, I will just try to stick it out. However, with new weakness, I always try to call since it may mean a new lesion has formed, and I need an MRI especially since I am on Tysabri.

This is my relapse experience. Everyone is different.

Take care
Lisa
Moderation Team

[alishape]

I know I need steriods when...

For me a relaspe is a new or worsening symptom that lasts for at least three days. So far I haven't had a new symptom that was so bad I had to go in right away, thank god. I wait three days because sometimes it's hard to tell right of the bat. Yesterday, for example, was a bad day for me. When I woke up this morning I was feeling better (relatively speaking of course). So I don't think it was a flare, just probably a psuedo brought on by the heat and humidity.

The last time I had a flare, I was extremely fatiqued for about 3 days. Then my walking was bad for three days in addition to the tiredness. I went and got some steriods and was back to normal in no time flat.

[MSwhileOverseas]

Wondering the same thing?

Martin- I have been wondering the samething. It seems like some have them frequently and some have only had one or two.

I have been diagnosed with MS for 6 months after an unmistakable flare that lasted almost a month and I am still not 100% recovered from. I have been on rebif for 5 months but often wonder if its working.

I haven't had anything like the original flare but I have had a few occasions where it seemed like maybe a flare because it lasted at least a week but they were always associated with either a UTI or lack of sleep. It's so confusing to me because both lack of sleep and UTI's can cause a psyuedo flare or an actual flare. How do I really know which it is? I guess when I get my next MRI I will have a better idea.

[MSwhileOverseas]

Oops

Sorry Marti, autocorrect added the N.

[loopey]

I have been diagnosed for 9 months and I get confused too. If I think it's a flare, I get scared that the Aubagio isn't working. If I feel bad for many days at a time I am scared that I have advanced to progressive. I have bad days now and worse days but I am trying to convince myself that it is just the heat. (It is in the 90's everyday where I live).

I haven't been bad enough to call the doc yet so I think it is just a matter of not knowing how not to be scared. I hope to get over it in time.

[Kimba22]

Here's a link that explains an exacerbation and pseudo exacerbation:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ons/index.aspx I hope this helps!

A notable change of weakness in my limbs has always prompted me to call my neuro. A few times I've needed to contact him because of dizziness, double-vision, or swallowing problems. If I have a fever or the external temp. above 85 F, I will have a pseudo flare.

I need to stay more aware of changes because I'm also on Tysabri. I've learned there's not much that can be done for a lot of symptoms, anyway, so just ride them out and hope they just aren't part of my new 'normal'.

Good luck to all of you!