How long can symptoms last??

[shawnie31]

Hi Everyone!!

I'm writing this today to see if anyone can relate.. I was instructed by my family doctor to keep an accurate journal of events until I see the neuro in July. Since last Sept my symptoms have been coming and going with at least 20 to 40 days apart from each episode. My symptoms prior to this month would last anywhere from 7 to 14 days roughly. According to my journal, my symptoms started around Feb 26th and today we are April 6.. Just wondering if anyone has experienced lasting symptoms. I feel like they are not as bad from a few weeks ago but still affect my everyday life at this time. I have not been dx with anything...just doing some research in the meantime..

Shawnie31

[Heather3418]

If this IS MS, you are having too many flare ups without the benefit of a diagnosis and treatment with a disease modifying drug.  With each "attack" your body suffers more and more myelin loss.  In the beginning of MS, the body is able to repair the areas that are damaged by what I call the, "MS Pac Man;" chewing on your myelin.  As time progresses, the continual onslaught causes irreversible damage and the area literally shrinks, forms scar tissue and eventually withers away.  The brain, as fascinating as it is; will find another way to get "the message through."  Sometimes the body is not able to find another "link" to send the message through and you wind up with permanent loss.

There are proper medical terms to use for all of this explanation, but I think you would prefer just plain old laymen's terms.

I have been diagnosed with MS for over a decade and my longest attack was several months.  I had alot of relapses and remissions in the beginning of the MS course, but as I age, I am now left with some permanent symptoms.  I am also having less distinct relapses and remissions, which shows a slight progression.

It's best to fight for those answers now, while the DMD's can be of most help to you.  MS never sleeps.  It's doing damage whether we "feel" we are in a relapse or not.  That's what is scary about MS.  It continues it's advance.

To qualify as a relapse, you have to have symptoms for at least 48 hours, that are constant and sometimes lasting several weeks and maybe a few months.  You must then have at least one month of a remission, even though you may have some lingering symptoms.  If you have another "attack" (After that month or more) then this helps meet the criteria of Relapsing/Remitting MS.

With your brain lesions and symptoms, I am highly suspecting MS.  I think your doctor feels this also, but time is of the essence.  You need to get on treatment NOW.  It may literally help you ten years or further down the line to have a rather more stable course.  Hopefully it will keep you stable until a cure is found for this disease.  I hope I see that happen in my lifetime....

I send you all my best wishes,
Heather

[shawnie31]

My husband and I just read your post... thanks for all your info.. I can't tell you how much this forum is helping me through these difficult "limbo-like" days I go through.

Until I see a neuro my hands are tied and will have to continue on as best as I can right now.. I am having difficulties functioning at work and of course at home, where I feel like it's time to talk to my dr again and see what my options are for reducing my hrs of work. I work 12 hr shifts and they are really beating me down... But without a dx, I'm somewhat shy to say well how do I ask for less work until I know what is really going on with me.

Well if it is or isn't MS I would just like to start on somekind of Rx to help me manage my current issues so I can carry on as best as I can..

Thanks again, will look foward to hearing from you!

Shawnie31... aka Shelley