Hi, I have been numb from the waist down for over 2 months now. I was diagnosed with Benign MS and put on Modafinil (Alertec). Just 6 months after that I had my 2nd serious attack in 18 years. Along with the numbness, I am exhausted, but I have a lot of trouble sleeping. I am also experiencing lack of coordination in my arms and left leg. There seem to be cognitive difficulties as well.
I know that the attacks are highly varialble in duration, severity, permanence etc, but I was interested in some idea of how long they tend to last without steroid treatment. Thanks

Welcome to the board, Olympia!

My first two "big" attacks lasted about 18 months. I got progressively worse over 6 weeks, did most of my recovery in the next 6 weeks, then I continued to recover over the next 15 months. Those two big attacks were 12 yrs apart.

I had "little" attacks in between, but nothing very difficult to contend with.

After my second big attack, I had three "medium" ones. They lasted about a month each, and I had considerable difficulty working through them (even though I worked flex-hours, from home).

I have never used steroids, and they weren't recommended to me either. My doc and neuro do not like the risks associated to using steroids, and I went along with that.

Short term use:
- allergic reaction
- insomnia
- psychiatric disturbance
- stomach upset
- fluid retention
- increased appetite
- acne
- bone damage/avascular necrosis (although rare, it can occur even after a single dose of steroids)

Long-term use:
- weight gain
- high blood pressure
- cataracts
- hardening of the arteries
- diabetes
- life threatening infections
- osteoporosis, or other bone damage

Steroid Warnings: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/methprd_wcp.htm

Steroid Side Effects: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/methprd_ad.htm

Cherie

My attacks lasted from weeks to 2 years. Never thought I'd recover with the 2-yr one, but with lots of PT and steroids, I was walking again, and that damned, overwhelming fatigue finally subsided.


It's easy to get discouraged, but there really is hope.

Olympia,
My attacks go about 10 weeks. You will get through it, try not to worry. Hang in there.
Sheila

I've never responded to steroids. I saw a new neuro yesterday, she said next time I get an attack, she will put me on IVIG instead of seriod IVs. I have seen IVIG mentioned, but, have never paid much attention to the details since I've never been approached with my possibly using it. She said those she has put on IVIG have seen good come-backs and feel quite good.

I noticed you had said you had lots of PT and steroids over a 2 year exac., do you think steroids are working for you? If you (or anyone else who reads this) know anything about IVIG, (what is it? what are the possible downsides from using it?) please let me know, thanks.

I am confused...and new to MS. When I asked if Copaxone would help me, I was told that all it would do is keep it from progressing. But...here it is...this thread is talking about the length and sizes of attacks. Could somebody please explain this to me?

Attacks/Flare-ups/relapses/exacerbations are part of MS. The length and severity can differ for each person. The DMDs (Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, Betaseron) are supposed to decrease the length and severity of relapses and slow progression however, there is no gaurantee with or without drugs.

This will help explain relapses......
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/spo...cerbations.asp

Welcome Olympia,

I have had 5 exacerbations (3 severe, 2 mild). I have only used steroids for the first two and waited out the rest. With or without steroids my relapse are 6 to 6 weeks for the severe ones and 2 or 3 weeks for the mild ones.