After all these years

[GrannyJo6]

I have been away for a long while, but decided I needed to come back after I experienced a severe attack about 3 weeks ago. I have been in remission for 27 years and out of the blue I was attacked! I started the day with a little vertigo and a feeling of something not quite right. I stumbled my way to the bathroom and took a shower and it went away. I went to work and still felt "off". It was when I got in my car to leave that the double vision hit. I had only gone a little ways and thankfully in was on a quiet two lane road. I pulled a u-turn and high tailed it back. Out of the car I was OK. My co-worker took me home where I called my neuro and husband. As the evening progressed the double vision came back, gradually getting as bad as it had in the car. it was like looking through a kaleidascope! I needed to hold on to the hubby to get around. At bedtime I had him look at my eyes to see if he could see anything wrong. Oh, yeah. My right eye had decided to just wander where it wanted to go. No wonder I couldn't see! Freaked him out big time!!

I saw the neuro the next day and all it took was the explanation of what had happened and he deemed it an extreme attack. Did the usual neuro things and ordered three days of Solu-medrol. He then asked me to walk across the room and when I took about two steps and fell over to the right, he changed his mind to five days!
I must say that it worked wonders! I was able to see pretty well after the 3rd dose and could read again after the 4th. Balance was some better but I still needed a cane to get around. I can negotiate the house pretty well, but use it when I go out. I get a little overwhelmed otherwise.

The fatigue!! Oh, my - reminds me of when I have had pneumonia and been so tired that a shower was all I could handle for a day!  On the last day of treatment I suggested we stop at Target to get a few things. Just a few. It was a very bad decision. It was such sensory overload that I practically froze. Got home and slept for four hours.

Wow! After so long without symptoms this has hit pretty hard. I have not returned to work nor driven. I have been out for a short time now several times which always results in a long nap. I think I am getting better fairly quickly but am very unsure about the future. I see the neuro on Friday. I have lots of questions!

It is good to be back and see a few familiar names. I suspect I will be back more often now! Jo

[HVAC]

Sorry lets hope it is a short relapse and another long remission.

Alex

[cainer]

welcome grannyjoe6!!   hope get back like they were!!   keep us posted!
take care  tick

[GrannyJo6]

Again, thanks for the warm welcome back!  I'll update as I have news. The support of those who know what it is like is invaluable. So many don't have a clue and always think of MS and wheelchair going together like peas and carrots. (Remember which movie that came from?) It really has been an opening to educate people. I'm on facebook and post MS logos and info the first week of March.I'm sure many didn't get the connection. I also have people willing to do the walk next spring with me, Lord willing!

[Fluffysmom]

Hello, Jo.  I'm glad the SoluMedrol helped so much; so sorry that you had need for it!  

I've been on Avonex for almost 6 months; I hope it does as well for as long for me as it has for you!

I'm glad that you can be so philosophical about your MS zapping you again; great attitude!

Kathy

[GrannyJo6]

I have been on Avonex for 8 years. I missed a dose in March because of a stomach virus where I couldn't keep things in, let alone muster pain relievers before the shot. Neuro didn't think that was enough for this severe of a break through. I had an MRI not too long ago, and a CT scan for something else and both showed no new signs of lesions. Thank you for the warm welcome back! I have always known it could come back to bite me, so I've been pretty philosophical about it.

[daisy.girl]

Sorry to hear about your relaspe.

I had the same question about what, if any, meds you have been on?

[essdipity]

Hi Jo!  Great to see you back, though not because you've had a major exacerbation. Your story goes to show that MS is always there.

What meds are you on? Were you on any during all that time?

Please post often and let us know how you are.

ess

[tonyad]

   I too would like to Welcome You back to the Forum.
Wow! (27) years is a long (wonderful) time to be in remission. I guess your body decided to 'Wake Up' and give you a terrible reminder that you have MS.

    oh how well I know that extreme feeling of exhaustion when all I can do is sit up long enout to take a sip of water from off the nightstand or get up and stumble to go to the bathroom then flop back in to bed.

    glad to hear that you think that you are getting better quicker than expected. That's Great news!  i hope that as the rest of the week rolls in and with each day, you find yourself a little bit better everyday.

    Again, glad your back, sorry the circumstances for which you are though :(
Keep in touch.
~Tonya

ps, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments on my post "Cane Anyone"
      I appreciate that.
~T

[morning319]

This may sound silly but have you had your middle ear checked for fluid. It can cause these symptpms.  I had this same thing and I had fluid in my middle ear from a previous virus.  I was given Serc and it worked within two weeks I was back to normal.  I was really afraid when I went through this and didn't dare drive anywhere.  Also I have heard of bone thinning around the ear drum that can cause this it can be fixed with surgery.  Good luck.

[selmaS]

HI..just wondering do u get intense headaches?

Ask for copies of the MRI's u had and the reports as well.....sometimes u r not told what all was found as it may be viewed as an incidental finding.
I pray u find answers soon!

"selma"

[Wobbly]

welcome back.. not happy to see your having a horrible attack, but glad you are getting help and feeling abit better.  Stay in touch and let us know how things progress.

take care and nice to see you back
wobbly
dx