Hi everyone... Hope you all are doing well and having a nice holiday season.

I'm feeling really funky. About a week ago I started noticing a worsening of my balance. Normally (hahahaha....) I walk like a drunk person, no straight lines for me, but in the last several days it has gotten worse. If I turn my head while standing I almost fall over.

Yesterday my throat started feeling scratchy and by bedtime I had a full-blown sore throat. Can getting sick like this effect my MS symptoms? Is it a relapse? Do I need to contact my dr or just ride it through?

Thanks in advance for your responses... you guys always come through for me!

Happy Holidays!

It is probably a Pseudo Exacerbation, increase in symptoms caused by a fever from the cold. Maybe call your PCP or just wait it out.

Hi Kim

As u probably already know, everyone reacts differently, but w/me almost everytime I get a cold it turns into a sinus infection. With that said, I also run a temp. Anytime I have an infection of any kind, I run the risk of an exacerbation if it isn't treated.

Make sure u get plenty of rest and keep yourself well hydrated. If u run a temp for more than a day or two over 100, call the doc ASAP. That's my advice based on my experience.

Get well soon!

Hi Kim!

I'm in the same boat you're in.....I've had something - either a really bad cold or the flu - since last Thursday. I'm taking an antibiotic (since yesterday) so we'll see if it helps. If it's viral I don't imagine it'll help.

I don't get sick like this too often so we'll see if it causes a flare up of sx. My balance is usually the first thing I notice to be "off" and so far it's been fine. I have noticed, though, that the skin on my legs (mainly thighs) is super sensitive....almost like a sunburn. I've never had that sx before. It hurts to rub up against anything...or move/turn over in the bed. Very strange sx I've not had before.

I hope you feel better soon!

a cold or flu almost always brings on a temporary worsening of symptoms for me.

especially if a fever is present, like FG mentioned.

or maybe I just notice the sx more because I feel cruddy, and can't tune them out?

but... they're symptoms I've already *had* (a pseudo exacerbation)

if these are NEW symptoms for you, Blondi (and not just old ones rearing their ugly head), then I humbly suggest contacting your neuro.

and hope you're feeling better soon!

(((Blondi))) I am sorry you aren't feeling well and hope you feel better soon.

Everyone has given great advice. I always have a worsening of symptoms when I am sick. I don't run fevers as most people do so for me it is not fevers that cause the worsening, it is the illness.

Again, I hope you are able to get plenty of rest and feel better soon.

yes, getting sick can increase sx's and cause a pseudo-exacerbation as others suggested. the stress on your body of being sick can be a reason and/or an increase in your body temp.

MS'ers can be very sensitive to increases in body temp, as evidenced in summer months. the heat slows down nerve impulses and can make you weak.

i would suggest with the sore throat that you get in to see your pcp, hopefully by the end of the wk. just to make sure you don't have something like strep throat. if it's viral and you need to ride it thru at least you'll know.

taking something like tylenol (always follow the directions), keeping up on fluid intake and resting will all help you heal.

if the sx's con't after you're well i would call your neuro.
and, you might need to use a cane temporarily to help with your balance.

i hope you get well soon.

Absolutely, Blondi, it can and does.. Probably not a real exacerbation, but even that happens. Check with your Doc to see if it's more than just a simple cold.... you may need ABs. Keep your fever down, drink plenty of fluids, take a couple of Asprin and call me in the morning.

How are you feeling today?

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm finding with this disease that sometimes it just helps to have other people understand exactly how I am feeling.

I contacted my neuro and I'm going in for a brain mri tomorrow morning. He wants to rule out any new lesions before blaming it on my cold. I have a bad feeling about this. My balance isn't just a little off... it is WAY off. I can barely stand up or walk. It was like this when I had my first attack over three years ago. I know I'm worrying before I really need to, but if it is new lesions, I guess that means my Rebif is no longer working.

Just when I seem to accept and get used to this disease, it throws me a curveball.

Thanks again for replying, you guys always come through when I'm freaking myself out.