Do your flares follow a pattern?

[lovemy6monkeys]

Can you tell when one is starting?

I'm just curious, because at the end of April I had my first suspected MS attack, vertigo. About a week or so before the vertigo hit, I had burning/stinging in my feet (that was my first ever nerve problem, started in November 09) and also I was extra tired.

Now this last week I've been really tired, which I figured is because I'm still waking up extra early in the mornings, but up till this week I was doing ok with it. And the last few days my feet have been burning and stinging again.

Since the vertigo was my first (suspected) attack, I have nothing to compare it to. So, I'm not sure if the tiredness and foot thing is a coincidence or might be a pattern. And, if your opinion is it might be a pattern...does that mean that the vertigo might come back? Or would another symptom be just as likely?

Thanks for your thoughts!
~Jess  

[Sailorsong]

Jess,

  I think it varies with each person and also each flare, so I can't really tell you if this is that start of another flare.  

After over 20 years of this with me the one common thing that shows up before one of my flares is the over welming ( How do you spell that) fatigue that hits me. The second most common thing is my vision goes haywire in some fashion.

Once I do go into a flare it is any bodies guess of what other symptoms will show up. Some times it is just a worsening of symptoms I have had in the past that got better. Other times it is new symptoms or old symptoms in new places.

I hope this might help.

Dennis

[tonyad]

   Hey there Jess :)

        First off I am going to Ditto what Dennis has stated.  When I am having an Exacerbation It is hard to tell what is going to happen, whether it be like Dennis said, worsening of existing sx or adding new ones to the pot!

      I can also say that I too am VERY, VERY...did I say VERY exhausted. So much that I am pretty much bed bound...True Story!   Vertigo / Dizziness is an everyday issue for me :(   As well as Balance ( this has gotten worse over the last couple months).

     I think that because of the limbo status that you are in, may make you even more "Aware" of things that perhaps you would have shrugged otherwise.  As far as your fatigue.....I will agree with you in that you are:   still waking early, mommy to several children, home all day w/ the responsibilities of taking care of the home as well as one of your husband's family members, and are Mentally fatigued  w/ the possibilities of  having a chronic disease, and very in tuned to your body, which also mentally exhausts you as well as possibly making those sx even more heightened.  I hope that make sense :)

       I am hoping you get some answers soon. Keep your chin up and rest during the day when you can. And try and take a "Mental Break" on your body.  if you have MS, it is going to show one way or another....So stressing and keeping constant watch on sx that may or not be related will not change the outcome.......This is what I was told by a very wise Medical Professional.....And sure enough, right when I started to realize that what will be will be and relax a bit, I wound up w/ a positive DX of MS!   Just a thought.
hope it makes sense and helps in some way.

     Have a GREAT week!
~Tonya
    

[lovemy6monkeys]

Thanks for the replies!

Dennis (that's my hubby's name too!), yes, the fatigue is hitting me hard. But, then I get so overtired that by 7 or 8 at night I'm wide awake again. On the one hand, that is nice because then I can spend some quiet time with my husband after the kids are in bed, but on the other hand I probably should be trying to go to sleep when the kids do.

Tonya, I totally get what you are saying. I really need to stop and just try to relax. As much as I hate to admit it, I think my husband is right and I have control freak tendencies...is it possible to be a laid back control freak? LOL Part of the reason I'm finding Limboland so difficult is I'm so scared of having a big issue start up, one that I will have to deal with forever. The other reason is that without a diagnosis I just don't know what is or could be MS, or if it is from something else. If I had a diagnosis, and the burning/tingling started up, then I wouldn't really worry about it. I'd be able to say "Oh, I'm just having an MS day today". Does that make sense? I need to stop. I know I do. But, then I get confused because my neuro stresses that he wants to see me for any issues...and then I start to wonder and second guess on if this *is* an issue. I was really hoping you would be feeling better :-( I'm so sorry that the exhaustion and vertigo have been so bad. I really hope you feel better soon! You are so strong, and such a friend to so many of us. ((hugs))

~Jess

[landainc]

Jess,


Closure really is a big thing! I started have pins & needles feeling with pain in my hand, and stressed everytime it happened because I didn't know what was wrong, but now that I've being diagnosed and know what's wrong, I worry less, if ever. I too feel pain and tingling under my feet (like if you're on your feet too long...that feeling) and the fatigue I feel, especially in the evenings. But because I know what's wrong and what to expect at times I'm better able to deal with t.

I hope that you get some closure, so you know exactly what you're dealing with, I'm sure it would bring you alot of relief, but until then, try not to stress too much, take it one day at a time and I hope you feel better.

Have a good one and if you're in the US have a gr8 Memorial Day (long weekend) :-)

Hugs & Kisses
~Landa~

[jensequitur]

I learned to sleep and rest when I was tired, and be up when I was up.  On my down days, this was a four hour nap in the afternoon, then I'd be up at night until I fell asleep again on the couch.

Your body knows what to do - just keep up with your vegetables, sleep, and take care of yourself.

[tonyad]

   I too am such a "Control Freak". I guess that is why I still sometimes have a hard time w/ a dx of MS!  "Hey, I am the one that is supposed to be in control of ME!"  Not this MS Creature!

     So, I totally know what you mean :)  I feel you my friend!   I soooo remember being in your shoes.....And the "What If" thoughts, and the "But what about the kids" thought.
i truly feel that you are going to get answers sooner than later :)   And, like you said.....And like I (used) to think, At least NOW I KNOW!.......For me, having the same  'Control Issues" as you do.....it is hard some days still for me not to be able to control this stuff!

      Please know that when you do get a dx of whatever it is going to rear it's head into...I am hear for you!!!!  :)   And Thank You for the Kind words Jess....You too are so kind hearted.

<<>> to you  :)
~Tonya