I have a few tells that will warn me of an impending flare. My left foot will drag, buzz, and hurt like my shoe is tied way too tight. My eyes will blur and my vision isnt as sharp or clear. it will darken too. Sometimes this is from a fever and you need to investigate if you have a bladder infection, tooth infection or some other reason your body wants to fight. If all those are fine, its normally flare time.

My MS center defines an MS flare as
1. any NEW or Worsening symptom
2. it must last for 24 hours straight with no breaks.
3. you then have 10 days to decide if you want steroids.
after 10 days the recovery rate of those who took steroids versus those who didnt is almost exactly the same, and the risk no longer outweighs the benefit.

Remember steroids too come at a cost. They are quite effective in helping calm the inflammation, but they rob calcium from your bones, and do other nasty things. its not so bad if you do it now and again, but those who do round after round end up having their MD worried just as much about the steroids as they do about the MS. EVERY drug has a good and bad side effect. Its a trade off.

I save my steroid treatments for visual stuff (dont want to risk my eyes) or a really bad flare. (cant walk, cant find my words)

MS is a learning game. its like a finger print. YOUR MS wont behave exactly like MY MS. I may go blind, you may just get buzzy feet. I may not be able to think of the proper words, or be unable to speak properly, and you may end up with the hug and be exhausted with constipation. Its always best to know your body, and your symptoms. What is your worst symptom?pay attention if it gets worse. pay attention if you get a new symptom.

Hang in there.