Need clarification regrding relapses and muscle weakness and use

[rendean]

So, despite living with the monster named only a year ago, I still don't "get " some of the wonderful characteristics of this charming little disease.

I am in a relapse. The symptoms this time have included new upper body weakness and progressive right leg weakness. Past history of relapses were usually severe vertigo or mild left side weakness and paraesthias. Had a 3 day round of IV SM last weekend yet I am still noticing an increasing weakness in lower extremity weakness. This round of steroids was the worst yet as far as side effects go and my poor family has endured essentially the wrath of a woman who mainlined PMS hormones for 3 days. My balance is off again (old symptom) but the new symptoms keep piling up.

Is this "normal" given MS has no normal ; but have others experienced some of the same things?

Second question...my leg (quads) fatigue extremely fast this past 2 days and we're only talking walking on a flat surface for 100 yards. My PT gal suggested I not do any of my strengthening exercises until the strength starts to return. She told me all I would be doing is aggravating muscles that are already receiving poor nerve signals.

Any questions, comments, miracle drugs????? Anybody else experience this before? My previous relapses were pretty straight forward as far as ability...I had severe vertigo. I would stand then I would fall. Pretty simple concept and easy to know when my body was ready to move on. Not so sure this time around.

Thanks for any input you could share!
Ren

[rendean]

Thanks for the specific answer, guess it's more "time on the couch". In your opinion and the cases you've seen here, would you venture to guess if the IV SM had ANY effect on this relapse?

Lastly, do we get demerits or our star taken away for bad spelling and typos :-)

Thanks,
Ren

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Ren, I would like to point out another aspect of exercising during an acute relapse.  From what I have read you do NOT want to exercise muscles that are suddenly weaker.  I described the reason in the HP on MS and fatigue.

One of the causes of fatigue in MS is the increased fatigue of exertion. In people with muscle weakness, those muscles will fatigue faster in continued use. Nerves fibers affected by demyelination are susceptible to various phenomena.  These are:

a) early exhaustion.  This means they become tired with far less use.

b) Rate-dependent signal block. This means that the faster you try to move, the more poorly the signal gets to the muscles.  And,

c) There can be complete conduction block with increased temperature. As a person exercises or is exposed to higher heat, the demyelinated nerve fiber may completely fail.  All this boils down to decreased stamina that you cannot correct with conditioning exercise.  It also can mean that whatever you are doing, you must do slowly in order to get it done at all.  An attempt to move fast can cause failure of the muscles to even get the signal.  Finally, the act of exercising itself can raise the body's core temperature slightly in all people.  This increase in temperature accentuates the weakness, along with other MS symptoms.  The same occurs no matter why a person gets too hot.  "Too hot" may indicate just a fraction of a degree of increased core temperature.

While you should try to maintain your fitness, an acute relapse is more a reason to rest.  I believe that your PT's advice is wise.

Quix

[rendean]

Yes, I'm taking Copaxone , not sure if it's doing the job or I'm in the percentage that it doesn't help. Take Klonopin for muscle spasms, Trileptal for TN and notriptyline for leg pain.

[meg321]

Hi Ren,

Are you taking anything such as copaxone for the MS progression?

[rendean]

Thanks to all who replied. I just found Quix's HP on Muscles and Spasticity and that clarified a few things in my mind.

I would call my neuro but I have a regular followup in 2 weeks and don't think he could do anything over the phone to amend the situation. His office is an hour and a half away. My local neuro would just order MORE drugs. I just want an honest assessment. Besides , I am afraid to drive myself due to the right quad spasms and pain and DH is out of vacation time until another week.

I also read Mistylee's post and answers and at least know I am not alone in this.

The only real question remaining is wouldn't the IV SM have worked by now if it was going to? BTW, I only had  3days @1 gm/day and no taper.

Ren

[michelleric]

This just stinks, really. enough is enough sometimes.

I would call your neuro today, and ask him what he thinks is going on. Maybe the steroids can take longer to help sometimes?  I really don't know, but I do know that I am thinking of you and really really hoping you start to feel better soon,

Hugs,
Michelle

[Valerie64]

Hi Ren

my symptoms/relapse always affects my legs usually the left,  I've been told to avoid leg exercises too (leg lunges brought on a wobbly leg episode just before my hols last year)

am taking Gabapentin now which is definitely helping but I'm finding I'm constantly having to increase the dose to keep the legs the same -does that make sense? and loads of leg rest...sounds good in theory but hard when you're looking after a family

Val x

[Eyesnlegs]

Take a look at my reply here

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Is-mild-aching-in-muscles-common/show/1211459

PM me if you want to chat - this issue with muscles has been a major one for me, don't try to fight it just take advice.

(((hugs)))
Pat x.