Signs of impending relapse??

[Natalie323]

Hi All,

I am very new to MS and to this forum.  I was just diagnosed.  I've was having symptoms such as tingling in my feet from time to time (I feel it in my legs and even in my groin sometimes), tingling of my mouth and tip of tongue, weakness and a little bit of pain in my left arm and dizziness. I'm 25 and my MRI came back with 19 lesions/spots and the LP came back positive with one O band I believe.

I haven't decided on a drug therapy yet or a regular MS specialist but what has been worrying me is that this dizziness/off balance feeling has been pretty constant in the last week or so.  It feels like the ground is moving beneath me just a little when I'm standing or laying still.  Also, I've been having problems with constipation for the past 2 months that just hit me (I rarely have problems in that area up until recently).

Could these be signs of an impending exacerbation? I haven't had dramatic symptoms yet, and I want to know how to gauge these signs?  The dizziness is a little disturbing since it's been mostly there for at least the last week or so.

Thanks,

Natalie

[sllowe]

Adding on a welcome to you, Natalie!

If you have never experienced this in the past, it could very well be your guage so to speak. But, like Lu says oftentimes there is no looming pending signs. And, on the other hand these problems could be chronic symptoms that you are going to experience with your course of MS (and they are not related to a relapse).

Since MS varies so much from person to person, it's important for you and your doctor to establish a baseline.

Definitely talk to the specialist about this - journal it when it started, what the symptoms are etc., and if it's brand new.  If your baseline is not so evident to you, the journaling may help you recognize any trends.

Glad to have you with us. Hope the constipation is just a coincidental to the MS. You can try cereal, adding fiber, some veggies like squash (it's delish fried!) and lots of water. Hope something gives in that regard - have had that myself - not fun.

You will find the answer to your question regarding dx and exacerbations in our health pages (located to the right of the page) - look for the McDonald criteria and diagnosising MS.  Please ask anything  - this can be confusing.
-Shell

[Natalie323]

Hi Lulu,

Thanks for letting me know.  I meet with the MS specialist again on Wednesday to talk more about these symptoms and drug treatment.

I'm going to look through the forums about constipation. I think I may start using Miralax for the time being since I hear it's safe.

Question:  Are people often diagnosed without a major/obvious exacerbation?  

Thanks again,

Natalie

[Lulu54]

Hi NAtalie and welcome to this forum.  I am so sorry you have become a member of this club that no one wants to belong to - but please keep in mind it could be worse.

There really isn't a sign of impending exacerbations - usually there isn't advance warning that is going to happen but you can always read your own body symptoms and know something isn't quite right.  You may already be in the midst of one and nopt realize that is what it's called - perhaps that is why you have all these different symptoms.  

You should give the doctor a call and discuss this with them - they may want to treat you now or wait until you see a neurologist.

As for constipation, it seems to be very common with MS - there are lots of helpful tips here in old posts that might help.  I've got to dress for work but will search for them later today.

Welcome again, I hope we'll see you around often.
Lulu

Right now you are going to be very aware of every change and ping in your body - I know I was when newly diagnosed.  After a while you get used to filtering out all those excess noises and symptoms.