Longest flare

[DeAnna7069]

I am wondering how long of a timeframe you have experienced to get over a flare?  I know this is a strange disease and no two people are ever the same so one can never tell. I was diagnosed almost 4 years ago-my first initial symptoms were left leg weakness/heaviness, being very tired , facial numbness and tingling in my rt arm. I started avonex and the flare lasted about 3 months. I did fine until about 2 months ago-I have no feeling in my right hand or fingertips at all ( I can feel poking and temperature but it has not helped since I am a labor and delivery nurse-I am unable to start an IV or check a cervix) so as you can understand it is really messing with my mind. I am also really really fatigued and just plain do not feel very good. My nerologist is testing me for neutralizing antibodies and is considering putting me on Tysabri-Scary! If I don't start getting better I may go for the tysabri.

I am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

[Deb61]

Welcome to the forum!  I'm sorry that you're going through a flare right now--MS stinks!  Don't be scared about Tysabri--the odds are way in your favor.  I hear great things about it.  My sister is getting infusions and can tell a huge difference in her fatigue.  Right before she is due for her next infusion, she crashes, so that shows how effective that it is.  

How on Earth are you able to keep up with such a fast-faced, stressful job?  Oh my goodness!  I bet you love it, though.  

Hoping that this flare ends, soon . . .  

Deb    

[jensequitur]

Personally, I haven't had a flare last longer than a month.  However, it's hard to tell, because at first I'm never sure I'm in a flare.  I just start feeling worse and worse, until I decide that I must be flaring.  Then it's a week to three weeks, and I start feeling better again.  Then it takes about two-three weeks for me to fully recover from the flare.

Switching to a stronger drug like Avonex or Tysabri is done only if the doctor thinks that you're progressing faster than you should be.  From what I understand, typically the neurologist sets you up with another MRI and checks your lesion load.  If the lesions are multiplying faster than they should be, he will want to put you on something that will slow things down.  

Good luck!  It ***** to have hand numbness - mine started with numbness, and now both hands are weak and numb!  (But not as numb as they used to be, so that's something.)