How to decipher if you are in a flare...
 

I don't get it... I think I do, but I just don't....

I know if you are doing too much you will become symptomatic and seem like you are in a flare, but really it's just a pseudo-exacerbation, your body saying stop, and if you rest you're back to fine...

And I know that when you are in a flare that old and new symptoms come to life...

Here's the thing.. I have at least one of my symptoms everyday (usually more than 1) whether it be neuropathy in different places of my body, poor balance, weakness, spasms/spasticity, optic pains and vision problems, cognitive issues, the irritable for no reason then crack up laughing and have no reasoning for it, cognitive issues and so on.. I am guaranteed to experience spasms and spasticity everyday,and usually neuropathy, those have been things that seem to always be there..

So I am having a hard time telling when I am in a true flare. I said the time before last that the next time I went into a flare I would know for sure, well, I thought I just was having some bad days a couple months ago and the neuro said that I was in another flare and did a prednisone taper... I honestly didn't think I was in a flare, it's almost like my MS manipulates me to make me think I am not as bad as what I really am..

I believe I am in one now, I don't want to call my neuro though because I know he will say steroids. I don't want to do steroids. I have had enough of them. Until I am not walking again I' not doing them.

So I am asking
how you distinguish a true flare?
can you naturally come out of a flare?

I know when you're flaring that damage being done is permanent, and that's bad, but I just don't like what the steroids do to my body and mind, they change me as a person for about a month or so, and I don't like who I am at that point..

I am currently experiencing my old symptoms but I've got this new symptom.. burning/freezing sensation in the bottom section of my left arm/hand.. Pain in my 'good' eye and my energy level is terribly poor in my opinion.

Is there anything I can do besides the drugs to not feel so ick? and would you say I am in another true flare?

MS is so lame. Thankfully, I have you guys!!!! :grouphug:

also to throw in there....

about 2 weeks ago, the pressure in my head got so severe in my sleep that it woke me up, kept me up for about 2 hours with the pressure/pain getting worse. It ended up causing me to vomit. I have had the pressure in my head before when I was in my first flare and for about 3 months after but what's scary to me is the pressure has never got so severe to induce me into vomiting. Has anyone else experienced this?

My MS center has a criteria that must be met.

Any NEW or return of an old Symptom that stays for at least 24 hours straight with NO break in the symptom. If it comes and goes over the 24 hour period its a flare, not a relapse.

If your sx lasts for 24 hours, you have 10 days to start steroid treatments, and get it sorted. After 10 days the rate of recovery from a replapse is the same as those who refused steroids.

I do hope you feel better. :hug:

It can take time and experience for you to distinguish what may or may not be a relapse...for you.

It is common to have symptoms that never go away or that come and go. For many of us, living with MS means dealing with daily symptoms. There are symptom management medications that are used to treat symptoms.

This is a list of medications and what they are used for in MS:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ons/index.aspx

If your normal symptoms start to increase and/or new symptoms show up and nothing is decreasing or stopping/starting but is consistant for at least 48 hours then you might be having a relapse.

Relapses CAN improve without the use of steroids, not all relapses require steroids. I have had 5 relapses -- 2 of them I used oral prednisone and the other 3 I have waited out. One of the relapses I waited out was quite severe.

Having said that, this disease is different for all of us as are our relapses and recovery.

Your neuro is a great resource. You do have the right to decline using steroids if that is your choice. You also have the right to ask for medication that might help with bothersome symptoms.

There seems to always be confusion about this. An exacerbation (flare-up, attack, relapse) all mean the same thing...there is no difference, just different words.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ons/index.aspx

Execellent point!

I have had several episodes of new of the return of old sx that lasted past the 24 hour mark and recovered just fine without steroids. The use of muscle relaxers, and PT or other avenues have helped greatly. Its really rare that I agree to steroids. I save them for my visual stuff. Since I have big issues with optic neuritits I dont want to play with going blind, and NO medicine is without side effects and consequences including steroids.

That is why I phrased it as MY ms center uses that criteria.

:circlelove: ((((Aynadee)))) :circlelove:

When my MS started getting to the point of no full remissions, I figured I had slipped into SPMS.:mad:

If your symptoms are new, intense and last, then you are having an attack/flare/exacerbation. If your symptoms are not new or intense and they don't last, then you are probably have a pseudo flare, brought on by the weather, added stress, a flu bug...etc.

Thank you for all your responses!

I would have to say I am in another flare then. I have my old symptoms present, but this new symptom started about 3 weeks ago and has not went away, it's rather annoying as well.

I just don't understand what I am doing wrong.
I try my hardest not to over-do it.
I try to stay on top of my shots.
I changed my job as a server because I knew that was breaking me down.
I just don't get it...

I have been diagnosed since 2-8-09. Since then I have had probably 10 flares. That's why I say I don't want to call my neuro and have him put me on the roids. I feel like I have taken faaar too many steroids in the last 2 years...

Has anyone else experienced alot of flares in the beginning of their diagnosis?

It scares me because I know that this disease is only going to get harder to deal with as I age, and what worries me is that it seems I keep progressing at a relatively fast rate...

POOP ON MS!!!!!:mad:

INDEED!!!:p