Relapse or symptoms

[tammy197238]

Im confused about things.  I've read that heat can cause symptoms, as can stress or lack of sleep.  So with MS your symptoms can come and go?   How do you know if you are having a relapse?   Also, how do they determine what type of MS you have.  Since I have only had 1 attack I am assuming they don't know?  The drug rep from avonex asked if I had relapsing remitting and I don't recall that my neuro told me what I had.

[Magie43]

The most confusing part of MS for me has been the relapse vs symptoms.  I was dx in Nov after having two different relapses.  The Neuro is calling it two seperate relapses because there was 30 days between them that everything was basically back to normal.  My first relapse was around the 25th of July.  I had a numb and right weak leg that lasted for about two weeks.  My next relapse was in Oct and this time it was my left leg with the same symptoms.  Both legs finally went back to normal but starting last week my left leg went numb again so am I having a relapse or is it just a symptom.  I think both relapses and what is going on right now have been brought on by stress.  My job is stressful from July to 30 Sept and then last week I had to have a tooth pulled.

[Sidesteps]

I'm not dx'd but one thing I've noticed is an increase in symptoms around my monthly and mid-cycle. I also get an increase with exercise even taking a hot shower. Those go away once my body is regulated. I can feel an increase of sxwhen I have any stress on my body either physically or emotionally but I've noticed a difference in a relapse and just a exercerbation.

The relapses I feel sick again and not just having weird sensation or noticing my double vision or have eye pain that is a bit worse for a few hours. The difference in a relapse for me is that I get similar symptoms to what I had initially but it lasts longer or is a pretty significant change. Examples: The fatigue is so extreme I'm sleeping uninterrupted 9 hours and still could go back to bed as soon as I get up. (I would think I'm pregnant or sick.)  I could fall asleep at my desk or in my car which is extremely unusual for me. Another thing is that I don't usually have parathesia but I have my wet/cold sensations when I'm flared. Raynaud's seems to minimally affect me as well. I have physical fatigue walking up the stairs or blow drying my hair. I want to sleep after taking a hot shower. These will last for as long as I'm in a relapse gradually getting better. I also have added symptoms that I didn't have previously.

I had a mini-relapse about three months ago (that last three weeks) and am fairly certain I'm in another right now (I'm a week in) but I'm also close to my cycle and will see how long this lasts. Sometimes it's a wait and see for me because some of my symptoms flare up during my cycle each month. I'm keeping track now with the online tracker.

I hope this helps.
~SS

[essdipity]

Remember also that there is such a thing as pseudo-exacerbations. These seem like flares but go away quickly when the situation causing them is eliminated.

Heat-related symptoms are a good example of this.

ess

[LisaJF]

I believe a relapse is considered symptoms that last over a 24 hour period and can last for days to even weeks as well.

Many patients with MS experience paroxysmal symptoms which do not represent a relapse but rather some brief disturbance of circuitry in the affected areas of the brain.  The most obvious is Trigeminal Neuralgia and Lhermitte phenomenon. Extensor and flexor spasms, inability to walk or use a limb are paroxysmal in many people.  Vertigo too, can be considered paroxysmal.  If symptoms clear within seconds or minutes or hours then it is placed in this category.  

Anything above a 24 hour period or more, one can assume that this is a relapse.

I hope this helps.

As far as the Neurologist diagnosing you with what category you are in, I would ask on your next visit what his thoughts  on this are.

Lisa