Well, I'm back after two years.
I noticed on one of the posts that she was "too far into a flare" to do much. My recent "attack" (as my dr puts it) has only been happening for 10 days. Last one we think was 6 months ago and a good case of ON. I have such HORRIBLE insurance I didn't go to the dr after my cruise to see what was going on. Spent the money having the time of my life instead.
I have an MRI today and wonder if this is too soon or is MS something in which the damage occurs then the symptoms or vice versa? Kind of makes me think of which came first the chicken or the egg.
Glad for the support but not glad to be looking in the forum again.
Cordelia

Hi Cordelia! It is my understanding the "damage" (new lesions or old ones acting up) comes 1st and then the symptoms.

Glad you had a great time on your cruise and hope you start feeling better soon.

Anyone have a answer to this one?

I really do not understand your question. I think TK did answer it. Lesions may show up before the flare. A flare can last for weeks or months. You can experience severe damage or may completely recover. Or you can be somewhere in between. For example, I had my first severe flare three and a half years ago. It lasted several months. I did not recover completely. I did do a five day course of iv steroids. I do remember my neuro saying that perhaps I received the steroid treatment too late. I was not prescribed the steroid treatment until several weeks after first experiencing symptoms.

There is no 'time line' for when to treat with steroids. It won't make you 'better', just faster. The sooner you have them the sooner you are back to normal, but it could be your 'new' normal. There is no direct correlation betweens lesions and flares. You can have one without the other. For the most part it is pretty much a mystery.