What can you tell me about Multiple Sclerosis? (health issue, heart, nerves)

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by JenLee

Some relapses are gentle and some are humdingers, Naohma. I'm glad that this has been a mild one for you.

For my DH; the sooner he caught on that he's having one and got in for treatment; the better he felt and the less permanent problems he had.

I dont get any idea that I am going into one. I literally wake up in the morning full blown into one lol... it can be quite intense

[Pikantari]

I am glad you are coming out of it, Noahma.

[crazyma]

I have no earthly idea what a flare, relapse or any of it is. As best I can tell I haven't had anything 'new' since diagnosed. How do you know??? I read all this stuff but can't make heads or tails of it!

[Pikantari]

My boyfriend seems to be in a flare x about 2 months or so. What brought it on? I think a tattoo did. Since getting a tattoo he has been back and fourth with the MS problems. Of course, no insurance, no treatment.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by crazyma

I have no earthly idea what a flare, relapse or any of it is. As best I can tell I haven't had anything 'new' since diagnosed. How do you know??? I read all this stuff but can't make heads or tails of it!

relapse is a set of new symptoms that you have not had before, a Flare is a return of old symptoms.

I know I have a relapse when say this one, my left arm and leg were hard to control, they felt like I had 7lbs of sand attached to them at the joints (this can happen with just about anything from burning, to pins and needles ext. some even see things as if they are cartoons, it is different for everyone) I have little flares occasionally, I had a relapse (attack) on my right arm earlier this year, and sometimes it gets stiff which would be considered a flare, they rarely last over 24 hours. I am very very happy you have not had any relapses, I have had 3 in the past 4 years, they usually happen every other year for me.

[jillz]

Originally Posted by JenLee

jillz, you do NOT sound like a wanker! You are coping with a chronic disease and (from the sounds of it) those around you aren't as willing to understand that fact. In some ways, that's the problem with M.S.: others always say "You look so good!" and they don't understand how the disease affects you.

And concerning my Hubby; we took vows 34 years ago to love each other "in sickness and in health" and we both have taken care of each other through some pretty tough times. My being a nurse helps him; his knowing how to cook helped me when I've been too ill to care for myself.

Thank you JenLee! I certainly FEEL like one! I saw my neuro today and I am going to keep trying Avonex for the time being and see if the side effects get any better. They weren't as bad this weekend as the last weekend so hopefully they will end up being tolerable. I asked for smaller needles and that made the shot less painful (not that it is heinous, but anything helps).

He gave me Lyrica for my eyeball pain which has been getting worse and Provigil for the fatigue. He had to give me samples of the Provigil since it isn't automatically approved for MS anymore (it is a narcolepsy drug) while the pre-auth stuff gets sorted through.

Does anyone else have eyebal issues? My sight has only gone out of one eye about 2-3 times in the last 4-5 months but the pain is still there.

Jill

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by jillz

Thank you JenLee! I certainly FEEL like one! I saw my neuro today and I am going to keep trying Avonex for the time being and see if the side effects get any better. They weren't as bad this weekend as the last weekend so hopefully they will end up being tolerable. I asked for smaller needles and that made the shot less painful (not that it is heinous, but anything helps).

He gave me Lyrica for my eyeball pain which has been getting worse and Provigil for the fatigue. He had to give me samples of the Provigil since it isn't automatically approved for MS anymore (it is a narcolepsy drug) while the pre-auth stuff gets sorted through.

Does anyone else have eyebal issues? My sight has only gone out of one eye about 2-3 times in the last 4-5 months but the pain is still there.

Jill

the eye stuff is a comon symptom with MS, it is called optic neuritis (sp?)

[jillz]

Originally Posted by Noahma

the eye stuff is a comon symptom with MS, it is called optic neuritis (sp?)

Do you have it and if so, what do you do to help with the pain? I am going to try Lyrica but if there is something else I can do in addition to it I am all up for trying it.

Thanks!
J

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by jillz

Do you have it and if so, what do you do to help with the pain? I am going to try Lyrica but if there is something else I can do in addition to it I am all up for trying it.

Thanks!
J

I have not had ON, although many people on MS World - Patients Helping Patients! have, and they might be able to help you with the pain. Basically your optic nerve is getting attacked, which causes swelling and the pain. The pain is probably neruopathic pain, so there is a whole classification of drug used to treat that pain, your Neuro might be able to help as well.

[crazyma]

Just curious...have any of you had cataracts, peridontal (teeth) issues or high cholesterol?? I seem to be a walking poster child of poop