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Terminology: exacerbation, relapse, etc.

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    Terminology: exacerbation, relapse, etc.

    This might seem like a dumb question, but I first found I had "probable MS" in 2001 and then nothing till 2007, when I was officially diagnosed with MS, and then again nothing till last month so my research on MS was mostly done in 2001 and 2007 and then I got lazy for a while so I'm trying to catch up and feel a little outdated in what I know and the terms i use.

    Back in 2001, I heard the term "MS attack" being used so that is what I always said. Is that term no longer used? I haven't heard my current MS center use it and I don't remember seeing it used (much?) on this board. Are relapse and exacerbation both considered "correct" or is one of those the preferred term for some reason? Just curious!
    2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

    #2
    Relapse, attack, and exacerbation are all used interchangeably.

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      #3
      To my understanding, "flare" would also be appropriate and is the term that I have used.

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        #4
        They are all the same thing. The 'Official' Medical Term is Exacerbation, but that can be hard for people to remember or even say. So, Flare, Attack, Relapse all work. Relapse comes from RRMS, Relapsing Remitting MS. Whatever you use we will understand.
        Bill
        Scuba, true meaning of Life! USS Wilkes Barre 91, USS Monitor 96, 97, 99 .. Andrea Doria 96, 98 .. San Francisco Maru 09

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          #5
          OK, thanks everyone. I was wondering which to use in explaining it to other people too. I realized "relapse" seems to confuse my friends b/c they thought that meant previous symptoms came back but it's really completely different symptoms each time.
          2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

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            #6
            That is why I use "flare". My family and friends understand what flare means, so it is the easiest term for me to use.

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              #7
              Hi! Welcome to our "Fun" group! I always say relapes,as I've had this MonSter for 11yrs now so most family & friends are used to that.But what ever gets people to understand
              God Bless Nona Judy

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                #8
                Depends on who I'm talking to. If it's my doctor, his staff or other PwMS, it's "exacerbation". With my family, it's "relapse". With my husband and a few friends who have a sense of humor, I say ,"Harry's acting up." Harry being the name we gave my biggest lesion. That way I can blame the relapse on someone.

                With strangers, say on Facebook or something like that, I'll use whatever term they use with the exception of "flare". While it's commonly used and appropriate, some people use it to mean an exacerbation , some mean a psuedo-exacerbation and others use it to mean both. It's too confusing... do they mean they're having an exacerbation or do they mean their symptoms are just acting up because the shower was too hot?

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                  #9
                  Ah, but there is another complication. There are exacerbations (flairs, relapses, attacks, etc) and pseudo-exacerbations (flairs, relapses, attacks, etc).

                  When people use those words, you don't really know which one they're talking about. Personally, I use exacerbation to mean the one where there is new damage and "my symptoms are acting up" when it's just the normal variance in symptoms, which as you know, can be quite big without any new damage.

                  Here is a good pdf by a hospital on understanding exacerbations: https://www.virginiamason.org/workfi...acerbation.pdf

                  Be Well,

                  BigA

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                    #10
                    Great PDF. Thanks for posting!
                    2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

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