The Gabapentin allows me a bit of reprieve - but once it fully wears off, I'm back to square 1. I'm trying to be patient...
Thanks for the information and suggestions. Hopefully understanding my body gets easier over time. Right now, I feel like I've been invaded by aliens.
Cheryl
Thanks, aspentoo -- rehab exercises are top of my list of questions when I see the MS neuro in about 10 days. I imagine I've lost strength in my hand/arm from barely using it over the last 5.5 weeks; however, my biggest complaint is lack of coordination, inability to sense a grip (or mis-cues -- I feel like my hand is being electrocuted when I hold objects, forcing me to drop stuff), and feeling like my hand and fingers are about 4x their normal size when visually they are not. I'm trying to force myself to use the hand as often and normally as I am able. Today, I have seen some small progress..which I will gladly take!
With respect to weakness, I found that during a flare, physio exercises were impossible. When it was done, I was able to slowly start up and regain strength.
Over time I've got better of figuring out when the flare is over, then I jump back into physio. If you don't consciously work on restrengthing muscles, they may stay weak even after the flare is over. Very important to get into physiotherapy ASAP.
Please keep in mind that I am in limbo, but I have lots of experience in this particular area, with my dominant hand, whatever my dx is :P.
Well that stinks! I'm really struggling with how to manage my job. My productivity has been awful, no ability to concentrate, and then there's the pesky problem of significantly reduced fine motor skills and pain in my right hand/arm. I manage a team of people - mostly remote - and have thus far kept everyone thinking this is extreme carpal tunnel. My boss tried to downsize me just 2 months ago, and I'm expecting he is going to use my reduced performance to outright fire me now. I know stress is bad, but how is one not supposed to stress with this totally unpredictable disease??? The only predictable part is the need for insurance and never-ending medical bills.
Rant over. I'm still adjusting and really need those last few blood tests to come back so I can move on with an official Dx. I also would appreciate it if the aliens who took over my body and brain would return to their planet ASAP!
Cheryl
Unfortunately, you don't know when it's over. Some symptoms may totally resolve, some may stay at their worst, and then there are all the gradations between. After a while you have reached your 'new normal,' an expression I loathe because of its 'brightness.' To complicate things, one flare may end one way, and the next one entirely differently.
You're kind of late in the process to start the steroids, but they may still help. For me it's been a mixed bag (hah). Also my flares have generally come on very gradually and left the same way--To quote TS Eliot, not with a bang but a whimper. But of course everyone's MS is different, so it's wait and see.
Good luck,
ess