Hi Rory!
This must be a really tough time for you both! It is unfortunate that your wife had a ‘MS attack’ during pregnancy. Usually MS symptoms go down during pregnancy. However, many women do experience the symptoms. Though MS is not known to cause any abnormality in fetus, the pregnancy needs to be carefully monitored because of the MS symptoms.
The problems in MS depend on the area of nervous system most affected. In your wife’s case, the speech area appears to have been affected. However, the good news is that the problems persist only during the relapses or when the person is extremely tired.
Speech problems may include slurring, long pauses between words, nasal speech, tremor in voice etc. You could ask the hospital to send across a speech therapist. This will help improve her speech even while the inflammation is there. Once the relapse is under control, speech therapy will speed up the speech recovery.
If she is feeling well enough to write and does not have shakiness or tremors in hand, you both could communicate by writing. You could both work on a sign language when she is well enough, so that you could use that when her speech is affected. You could also develop placards with the help of the therapist.
Also, both of you would benefit by speaking to a multiple sclerosis educator or counselor. This would help your wife understand that the slurring of speech is not in her control. Also, it will prepare both of you regarding handling the symptoms during her pregnancy.
Hope this gives you some direction regarding what can be done for your wife and how to improve her symptoms and the communication with her. Normally, her symptoms should subside with steroids. Please discuss in detail with her doctor.
Wishing her a speedy recovery and an event free pregnancy! Good Luck and take care!
That is difficult to answer, varies from patient to patient and from episode to episode in the same patient. However it may vary from 24 hours to a week. Please discuss this with her treating doctor.
Thank you Doctor. How long does it normally take to see an improvement with IV steroids?