Another question relating to MS....

I began having MS symptoms at 2 weeks post partum. Now at 4 mos. postpartum I was wondering...Can pregnancy cause MS or aggrevate a pre-existing MS condition after birth? I had a brain MRI in `98 after a mild car wreck, it was normal.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

I'm not sure that pregnancy actually causes MS, but we've certainly seen worsening of symptoms in the postpartum period.  There are some conflicting studies regarding pregnancy and MS relapse rate or worsening of MS symptoms.  However, many believe that the relapse rate is actually decreased during pregnancy and increased in the post partum period.  A recent study showed that the relapse rate was 70% decreased  in the third trimester of MS patients and was increased 70% over the prepartum rate in the first three months post-partum. Hope that answers your question.