NEW TO DX

[student01]

I am new to this forum and I don't understand alot about this disease,and I keep reading alot of the posts and seemed to be getting more confused ??? I keep hearing about "MS attacks" and I think or feel like I have the same sx all the time. I have the numbness and tingling in feet,legs,and hands that gets worse when I stand or walk for a period of time. The instability and dizziness sometimes nausea. Brain fog and forgetfulness. These sx don't seem to go away as in an "attack" they do seem to be better some days than others. Can someone shed some light on this for me?

[Zacksmomi]

Hello and welcome!  You have come to the right place.  I am newly dx'd also.  You are right this is all very confusing. It may help to know that an "attack", "relapse", "flare-up" whatever you wish to call it can last anywhere from 24 hours to someone posted 6 months but it could even be longer.
Basically what happens as far as I can understand (anyone please straighten me out if I am mistaken) is something "triggers" your immune system to reap havock on your CNS and eat away at or destroy your myelin.  This process of destruction is the actual "attack" process.  This destruction of myelin or demyelination is what causes your symptoms.  The part of your CNS that is attacked is what causes variations in people's symptoms.  
For whatever reason the process of attack stops in people with RRMS (the most common) and some or all of the myelin may repair itself.  This can leave some people totally symptom free while others have residual symptoms and still others the symptoms created from the attack just seem to stabelize or stop getting worse.
Then there are mini flare ups I call them.  This is when you get overheated or stressed out or one of many other triggers that can upset your symptoms and cause them to feel worse.  These mini flare ups are less than 24 hours and are not new symptoms just worsening of old ones.
Ok so this is gonna get long I may have to do 2 parts cuz I need to leave.  
There is a theory out there that these attacks can be related to foods you may be intolerant of.  I do not live by this, but it may be something worth looking into if you feel you are in an attack that is just not ending.  It is all very educational.
For example, if you are lactose intollerant and you aren't really aware of it and are continuously drinking milk, according to this theory you are producing way more antigens than your body needs thus actually causing the attack.  It is all very complicated and I hate to try to explain it here.  I can also say that I have yet to have the will power to try this theory out myself and my symptoms are still getting worse.
You can look into the ARMS Diet or The Swank diet and learn alot more about how this disease works on the body in relation to food.

Ok so now for my story... Basically I got parasthesia in my arm that got worse over a period of 4 weeks.  I was not dx'd and was told everything from pinched nerve to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. This led to an MRI which eventually led to my dx.
Meanwhile over a period of about 2 weeks my arm was getting better daily until it got to where it is now which is constant buzzing, false temperature feeling, and a feeling of swelling at the wrist.  These symptoms get better or worse depending on what I am doing.
About 2 weeks after my arm was  better I developed the buzzing down to my toes when I bend by head forward (Lhermittes sign) and that has just gotten worse and come to include a constant buzzing in my feet (which is great because I just got my job as a waitress back).  I did start taking Rebif on Mar5th and definately have developed some fatigue, loss of memory, and inability to find words.  My assumption would be that I am still in an attack from a second attack.  I think the 4 weeks between where my arm was getting better and the first of Feb when the Lhermittes started, I was in remission.  so this attack has lasted almost 8 weeks.
But again, I am new to the disease and it is hard to tell.
I hope this helps you.  It is all hard to understand.  I do hope you start to feel better soon so you can know what it is like to be in a remission.  And may your remission last you 20 years or more.

take care and keep in touch
D

[sllowe]

Not to shelly: Stop forgetting the surn "p" in symptom! Gosh... residual deficit in action....

[sllowe]

Hi there,

Oh, it's confusing that's for sure.  But I think you gave the answer in the title of your question.  "NEW TO DX"  

That's it.  It's new to you and only those who have had it for years before getting dx'd know the attack, versus the symptoms..

For example.  I have not had a major attack like my 1st one.  W/out details, it lasted for months and I could not function-nothing normal worked. I'd know it again like the back of my hand if it came along.

Now, I have daily symtoms that I do not believe are a part of an attack. They are residual deficits that I believe are symptoms as a result of damage in my spinal cord.  

If it's any consolation, I think I know my MS better now then during after my 1st attack and it's been exactly 2 yrs.  Time makes it easier to distinguish between symptoms and attacks.

Starting meds did the same thing to me, unfortunately.  I was not only familiar w/what was going on w/my MS, but I did not know the difference between DMD side affects and MS symtoms either.  My brain and body were swirling for sure.

Hope my experience helps you a bit.   Give it some time and pay a little attention to the comings and goings of various things.  Jot them down, so you don't forget when they subside and bring them up to the Dr. too....

-shell