MS and hospitalizations

What are some of the reasons a person with MS are hospitalized due to their MS, other than from a fall?  I guess what are the sx a person has that their neuro put them in the hospital?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Laura

[meg321]

I have only been in the hospital once with an illness, it was this last year with aspiration pneumonia which is caused from the MS.

I know others spend time in the hospital but I am not sure why...or I don't remember.

hugs, meg

[LisaJF]

Hi Laura and welcome to the forums.

Happy New Year to you as well :)

As for your question regarding MS patients and what symptom(s) would validate a trip to the ER or hospital admission, I would sway to say anything to do with eye sight (blurred, double vision, desaturation of greed and/or red or eye pain), trigeminal neuralgia, shortness of breath, chest pain, inability to maintain balance or walk, slurred speech, intractable pain, (the list can go on and on).

If your big toe went numb and went away in 24 hours, would a Neurologist admit you to the ER or should you go?  Depends if its painful, then sure.  I had nausea for 10 months but never went to the hospital.  I had myoclonus (jerking body movement, especially trunk with moderate tremors of right hand) was was told to go to the ER.  I had small facial drooping on the right side and was told to go to the ER but I didnt. LOL.  

It just depends on whether or not your Neuro deems your symptoms to be investigated further and treated with IV solumedrol.  

When in doubt you can always call your Neuro before you make that trip to the ER.

I hope this answered your question, but I can tell you a lot of MS'ers here have had different experiences and depending on their symptoms, they would be at the ER or calling their Neuro.

Wish you the best.

Lisa

[Needhelp16]

The thing is I'm inbtwn neuros. I don't want to call the old one because frankly he's a moron. I don't have an appt with the new neuro until January 18th. I have an appt with my family doctor tomorrow but I'm afraid she won't be much help.

I was dx with rrms in July so I'm still fairly new to all of this. My current sx are blurry vision at times, and HORRIBLE leg spasms.

I obviously don't want to go to the hospital but I'm scared that's what is going to happen. I've been in a downward spiral for the last 2-3 weeks, and I think I'm just at witts end.  **sighs**

[Needhelp16]

I appreciate your comments though.

Laura

[sllowe]

Needhelp,

Moron or not - call and get you some meds for those spasms! Maybe you can avoid a visit w/a phone call. No sense suffering :)

[Needhelp16]

Let me tell you why the old neuro is a moron.  At my last appt with him, he told me that muscle spasms and memory problems are only seen in MS patients that have severe lesions and even then it's rare!  So he won't be any help with my leg issues, because he doesn't believe it's possible for me to have them!   :(

[LisaJF]

Laura,

He sounds like a d|ckhead.   No wonder you're switching.  

You need something for those leg spasms.  I have no idea what you're on to try and help them.  Some swear by baclofen, some swear by valium, some swear just because it phucking hurts. :D (thought I'd throw that in there)

Demand help from your Primary to alleviate your muscle spasms when they occur.  Let her know when it happens it can last for weeks or for a few days, but you need something in your damn closet that you can reach for to help you instead of going to the ER or calling them every day (which I'm sure you dont --- but I'd probably suggest you do if she don't do anything for you just to be a pain in the *** --- no seriously....dont do that)

Gosh I wish I could help you sweets.  I will pray it will get better.

Lisa

[sllowe]

OH, my. Disregard my input! Yikes what a nit! Tell the family doc about the spasms anyway - can't hurt to at least try....

[Needhelp16]

I have flexeril and Valium, but whether taken separately or together, it seems like it takes 2+ hours for them to kick in.

I will definitely talk to my pcp tomorrow about the spasms. Hopefully she'll be of some assistance.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Laura