Flares.....Re: Re: New to group - running out of hope [Symptoms - sorry its so long!]

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When I say "flare" or "attack" I am using that term interchangeably for "exacerbation" which is the term most docs use. Here a snip from WebMDhttp://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/features/when-ms-attacksCall it a flare-up, call it an exacerbation -- whatever you call it, you

can't call it fun. Exacerbations of multiple sclerosis are the

periodic, sudden worsening of symptoms that so many people with

relapsing-remitting MS experience on a regular basis. You're walking along fine

when you notice numbness in your right leg. Or suddenly you have double vision. If those symptoms last at

least 24 hours, you're going through an exacerbation.

"Exacerbation is a more rapid evolution of new symptoms or worsening of old

symptoms than just the overall progression of the disease by itself," says

Richert, MD, vice president for research and programs with the National

Multiple Sclerosis Society. "It comes on over a period of hours or days,

as

opposed to a slow progression that occurs over months and years."

Inside an MS Flare-Up

What's going on inside the brain when someone with MS experiences

a

flare-up?

Generally, when you experience relapse symptoms it means that "there are new

lesions forming in the brain or spinal cord that disrupt neural transmission --

literally, new disease activity," says Coyle, MD, professor of

neurology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and director of

the Stony Brook Comprehensive MS Center.

But not all symptoms are tied to brain lesions. Fatigue, for example, usually

doesn't signal a flare-up in the brain. Although extreme fatigue accompanied by

a worsening of other neurological symptoms might be, says Coyle.

Sometimes, what feels just like an MS exacerbation really isn't one. An

infection or fever can cause a temporary

problem with nerve conduction in previously damaged areas of the brain,

explains Coyle. So if you have the flu, you might experience

symptoms that seem like a flare-up. "It's not actually a sign of a new lesion,

but rather temporary disruption in areas of old damage where nerve impulses

were conducting normally," she says. "If we treat the fever or the infection,

then we should see a complete reversal to where the patient was before." SharonThis email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. To: MSersLife Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 2:59:08 AMSubject: Re: New to group - running out of hope [symptoms - sorry its so long!]

Thanks for sharing that, Reb; it's so reassuring to have found people who (unfortunately) have some "real life" knowledge with these kinds of symptoms. I'm sorry to hear that your wife has gone through so much; I hope she's doing alright. You used the word "flare" - which others have also; I assume that means a "flare-up"? Does that refer to symptoms that just become really intolerable or start suddenly? Thanks,Debbie "I was told by one neurologist years ago that it "couldn't be MS" > because myextremities weren't going completely numb. Is that true?"> > > That's a very strange thing to say! Numbness is not an on-or-off thing. If > you're numb, you're numb even if your extremities

aren't going "completely numb" > (whatever that is...). I don't have MS, but my wife has. In the flare that > brought her to the dx she was numb from the waist down, more so further down, > with the feet being the most numb. But I don't think she was completely numb in > even her feet (if that is unable to sense anything whatsoever), she did say it > felt like she was wearing something thick and rubbery. And even if her feet > would/could have been called completely numb in that flare, she has had episodes > of being somewhat numb or partially numb too. > > The bottom line is, if you are numb at all, without an obvious explanation (like > "my foot went numb because I was sitting on it" or "I was outside in freezing > weather, and soon my face was numb and had a rubber feeling to it"), then there > is something going on with the nerves, one way or the other. Doesn't

necessarily > mean it's MS, but something is off. It's like the ER-orthopedist (who was the > one admitting to hospital in that flare that brought her the dx) said: "The > only real question is if I should admit you to the orthopedic clinic, on a > suspicion of a possible dislocated disk, or if I should refer you to the > neurologists for further investigation along that route. What is absolutely > clear is that legs shouldn't just go numb like that, and if they do, we need to > look into it and fix it somehow"> > I am, Reb, by the way. Living in the south of Sweden, with my wife , who is > the one with MS in the family. Welcome to the list! And Best of luck on your > journey!> > love> /Reb>------------------------------------

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Interesting....I was always under the impression that you neededto have 3 events, i.e. numbness, optic neuritis, bladder issues--to be considered in a flare. Doesn't have to be the 3 that I includehere, just a combo of 3 symptoms. Anyone else hear that?love to all of us dealing with MS, Kate Re: New to group - running out of hope > [symptoms - sorry its so > long!]> > Thanks for sharing that, Reb; it's so reassuring to have found > people who > (unfortunately) have some "real life" knowledge with these kinds > of symptoms. > > > I'm sorry to hear that your wife has gone through so much; I > hope she's doing > alright. > > > You used the word "flare" - which others have also; I assume > that means a > "flare-up"? Does that refer to symptoms that just become really > intolerable or > start suddenly? > > > Thanks,> Debbie > > "I was told by one neurologist years ago that it > "couldn't be MS" > >> > because myextremities weren't going completely numb. Is that true?"> > > > > > That's a very strange thing to say! Numbness is not an on-or-> off thing. If > > you're numb, you're numb even if your extremities aren't going > "completely > >numb" > >> > (whatever that is...). I don't have MS, but my wife has. > In the flare that > >> > brought her to the dx she was numb from the waist down, more > so further down, > > with the feet being the most numb. But I don't think she was > completely numb in > >> > even her feet (if that is unable to sense anything > whatsoever), she did say it > > > felt like she was wearing something thick and rubbery. And > even if her feet > > would/could have been called completely numb in that flare, > she has had > >episodes > >> > of being somewhat numb or partially numb too. > > > > The bottom line is, if you are numb at all, without an obvious > explanation > >(like > >> > "my foot went numb because I was sitting on it" or "I was > outside in freezing > > weather, and soon my face was numb and had a rubber feeling to > it"), then there > >> > is something going on with the nerves, one way or the other. > Doesn't > >necessarily > >> > mean it's MS, but something is off. It's like the ER-> orthopedist (who was the > > one admitting to hospital in that flare that brought her > the dx) said: > >"The > >> > only real question is if I should admit you to the orthopedic > clinic, on a > > suspicion of a possible dislocated disk, or if I should refer > you to the > > neurologists for further investigation along that route. What > is absolutely > > clear is that legs shouldn't just go numb like that, and if > they do, we need to > >> > look into it and fix it somehow"> > > > I am, Reb, by the way. Living in the south of Sweden, with my > wife , who is > >> > the one with MS in the family. Welcome to the list! And Best > of luck on your > > journey!> > > > love> > /Reb> >> > > > > ------------------------------------> >