When is a relapse not a relapse?
 

The way I think about things is that when there is a symptom e.g. tingling face, that means the myelin has been destroyed in area xyz and the message has failed finally to find an alternative path around the damage.
Failure to re-route and consistent damage in the area = symptom.

With time and dmd's (?), the area 'repairs' or finally a signal finds its way around the damage and the symptom lessens.

With me so far?

So when we're in remission, symptoms have improved and signals are getting through as best they can.

Question; IF the same symptom comes back after a year, is that indicative of new damage in the area surrounding the 'old' damage?
OR is it new damage elsewhere that appears as the same symptom?
OR is it something else that my little brain cant work out?

IF it's an 'old' symptom that comes back after a year, is it a new relapse? Or an old unhealed scar that's playing up?

What do you reckon people? :cool:

Oh dear. Am I heading for a no reply thread ? How depressing. :(

While I really do not know the answer to your question, I do not want you not to have a reply. :D

I had my first major flare (and perhaps my only) in March of 2007. I was dx within three weeks of the flare. I did not have any obvious symptoms prior to that. My major symptoms have not really improved much since then -- spasticity on left side of my body. I have had to use a cane since that attack. So I assume I have permanent damage. I do have some other symptoms that come and go (vertigo, burning on the top of my head and left arm, numbness). So I am not even sure if I am RR.

I assume if you have a symptom that disappears for a long period of time and then reappears, that it is a new relapse. So I think it makes sense that there is new damage in the same area. Maybe? I am confused too:)

What you're talking about here pud's friend sounds like a pseudo-exacerbation.

A pseudo-exacerbation is a temporary inflammation of a nerve already damaged by a prior flare. They can lead to the same type of symptoms that a full exacerbation causes, but in a pseudo flare, the symptoms will only last 24 hours or so.

Pseudo-exacerbations are usually caused by temperature rises, and can be triggered by fevers (as in those caused by infection), by the environment (e.g., sun exposure, a hot bath), or exercise (e.g., mowing the lawn). Once the cause is removed, symptoms quickly disappear.

Although the word "pseudo" brings to mind "fake," the symptoms are quite real. The major differences between a true exacerbation and a pseudo-exacerbation is the time the symptoms last, and the latter does not represent any progression of the disease. No new lesions will be formed during this time.

Here's one of many articles about the condition: http://www.healthcentral.com/multipl...67078/24256/ms

Hope that helps.

That's exactly what I would have said PF..:D

This. I'm having this exact pseudo flare in my previously bothered areas of my head and ear... I know this too shall pass. :cool:

Keep cool and level headed, and things should level out. Here's a :hug: to get you there PF :)

The advice the others gave is good. Those little scares can happen if we push too hard, get a fever, get overheated, etc. I have some symptoms that come when the temps out are cold, and others pop up when it gets hot. I often have to ask myself "Is this worse than last year?" If not, it's just my MS being normal (for lack of a better term. :rolleyes:). If it is worse and doesn't improve after a few days, that's when I call the doc.

I've only had one symptom fully remit, and the rest went into what I call my "MS grab bag". Some I can pinpoint why they come and go. Others just pop up to say "hi" from time to time with no reason I've figured out yet. Never boring.

We have tons of water on hand because of the extreme weather changes between hot and cold this spring. Water helps a lot when it's hot out. (for me that's anything above 75). The extreme weather changes have also been making my symptoms be all over the map this spring, so it's been a tad on the fun side.

Hope this helps. :hug::hug:

Thank you all.

Yes, that's what I'm getting. :)

When is a relapse NOT a relapse?
When it's an Ice Cream Sundae :icecream:.
Oh..Sorry. Not a trick question. Just a totally random answer :o.
I know it's just stoopid old sx's popping up if it's
A: A symptom I've had before.
B: If cooling down my core temp or removing myself from stressfull situations will get rid of it.
C: If I have even the rumor of a temperature above the norm, possibly caused by an infection.

I'm sure there's more, but those are the first three things I try..