Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
11079760 tn?1483386130

How do you know when it's over?

I am 5 weeks into my first known flare up. Some of my lesser symptoms have subsided; however, the most challenging problems continue with my dominant hand and arm. For those Dx'd, how do you know which symptoms are permanent and which will subside as the activity stops? I'm starting an IV Infusion this week - when that is done, are any remaining symptoms permanent?

Thanks.
Cheryl
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
11079760 tn?1483386130
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
Helpful - 0
11079760 tn?1483386130
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!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Glad you are progressing!  Honestly, I would contact a physiotherapist on your own rather than waiting -- this can be done locally and the sooner you start, the better.  Over the months I've been dropping less and less -- turns out I've been using my left hand preferentially more and more for everything!  Only realized this when my left hand was tied up with a cane recently :P.
5265383 tn?1669040108
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.
Helpful - 0
11079760 tn?1483386130
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
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
There are two processes in MS inflammation and nerve damage. With inflammation symptoms go away. How long that takes is very individual. Nerve damage is when you have the same symptom non stop for a long time like a year.
Avatar universal
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
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Top Neurology Answerers
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease