Final Solu-Medrol infusion update...

[lovemy6monkeys]

I had my third infusion this morning. I did get a chance to talk to my neuro a bit as he was setting up the IV. He said that the Solu-Medrol should be stopping the attack from continuing to cause damage by now, but it could be a few weeks until I see an improvement in symptoms, or if we find out this may be my new normal. I asked him if I caused more damage than I should have by waiting for a month to seek out treatment. He admits that the best chance of minimizing damage is by starting treatment within the first few days to a week of the start of the relapse, but he also admits that sometimes it is difficult to determine what constitutes an actual relapse that would need treatment. He said eye issues are easiest, even if they seem subtle to me, because of sophisticated equipment that he can use to determine damage to the optical nerves. He said that sensory issues are less clear to determine if they are a relapse.

One thing, pretty much the only thing he's ever said that I don't agree with him on is he doesn't believe that fatigue is part of an MS attack. He thinks it is just because of disrupted sleep cycles. I trust his opinion, but I know for me, every month before my period I have a psudo-relapse that causes me to be overly tired for a few days. I also know that with every real relapse I've ever had fatigue and being run down goes right along with it.

How about you guys? Is fatigue a part of your relapses?  
~Jess

[Lulu54]

Jess, our fatigue comes from so many different things that can be happening - I bumped an old conversation on fatigue earlier this week and I hope you saw that  - it explains a lot.  

It troubles me that your doctor would say fatigue comes from disrupted sleep cycles.  Yes, that is one type of MS fatigue but not the only one.  Another though comes from just getting through the day.  Our body works so much harder than what one without MS - it is always overcompensating for balance, feelings, heat, etc.  That creates a state of fatigue, too.

Sorry he misses that point. You might read the NMSS page on fatigue and print it out for him to read... you can always mail it anonymously!  He might not like his patient showing him he is wrong.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/symptoms/fatigue/index.aspx

best, L

[Sumanadevii]

To me fatigue has always been a feeling of my body moving slow....I am not sleepy when I say I am fatigued.  It might be one reason my first neuro never picked up on the MS.  I remember trying to explain to him that fastening my bra would wear me out and my body would need to break.  I will never forget him laughing at me.  I left so embarrassed and feeling so "little".  Was an awful time.  I wished I had the vocabulary to describe what I was feeling.

Now, I do rest my body during the day.  If I don't I begin spasms and cramps from the hell realm.

[Sidesteps]

I agree with you on the fatigue. Absolutely 100%!

With each of my "relapses" (in limbo still) the fatigue has been insane. I couldn't keep my eyes open during the worse of it and I had to lay down for long naps even after showers.

The muscle fatigue (aching on exertion) is another sign that tells me I'm flared. I feel nearly chronically fatigued but when flared I feel very sick.

[essdipity]

I haven't had what I'd consider a real relapse in a couple of years, though I may be starting one now. I have fatigue all the time. I just think of it as being part of MS, just as overheating is an all-the-time symptom for me.

It will be interesting to find out what others experience.

ess