Just recieved tests results

[Lauren1025]

On May 27th I got my spinal tap results from my neuro, came back positive for ms. I will not receive and medications or treatments until July 10th when I go to the ms clinic in rochester ny. I was wondering how do I know if I'm having a flare up. I'm exhausted and having constant pins and needles in arms, legs, hands and feet. Also my memory is worse and my words get a little mixed up at times. This happens so often that I don't know if it's considered a flare up or not.

[PeninaD]

What area are you in, perhaps some folks here have recommendations of doctors that they have found more helpful to MS patients?

[Guitar_grrrl]

Whew - well, I'm sorry you got the MeSsy diagnosis, but glad you're going to an MS clinic. And that you now have answers as to why you feel like you do!    A month is going to pass by quickly. Maybe the neuro who diagnosed you can give you some symptom management meds until you go to Rochester?  Just a thought...

Big Hugs,
Lisa

[nyangel60]

This helps me too JJ as my neuro refuses to treat me claiming I have not had any new attacks. Since June 2012 when I got ill I have had old symptoms come back that had gone away and they last for more than 24 hrs. I never had bowel accidents and I have had a few yet he says that's not new because I already had lesions on my spine at the outset. He is not an MS Specialist but I cannot find one

[kwarendorf]

As Ess mentioned, there are drugs used to fight MS and drugs used to relieve symptoms.

The Heavy Artillery of symptom treatments is IVSM, intravenous SoluMedrol. Solumedrol is a corticosteroid and can be very effective at reducing inflammation in the central nervous system. During my last relapse it was a huge help.

There is no reason to wait until July to start IVSM. The first neuro I saw, 6 weeks before my official diagnosis, prescribed it for me. It will not impact you diagnostic process. You may want to ask your current doc about it.

Kyle

[essdipity]

Hi, Lauren.

It will take a while for all this to get sorted. When you see your neuro next month (which I know seems like forever), have a list of the symptoms you've been experiencing, because most of them can be relieved by various medications.

This is not to be confused with MS treatment-- one of the drugs we take to reduce relapses and (we hope) slow disease progression. They don't help with symptoms so are 'future-oriented.'

Many symptoms are helped by one of the nerve pain drugs such as Lyrica or Neurontin, which might relieve the constant pins and needles, which are a paresthesia. If this is unfamiliar territory, please see below for the Health Pages. There's lots of great info there.

Feel free to post with any questions you have.

ess

[supermum_ms]

Wow Lauren,

I really did not expect you to be dx with MS from what you've mentioned in your posts...............hugs!

I'm kind of gob smacked actually, considering your other test results (MRI's, nerve conductor tests etc) not being suggestive of MS, sx's being sensory, symmetrical, in all limbs and your neuro's opinion that it was peripheral nervous system too........gosh your probably breaking all the basic red flags here, so i'm at a loss on what to think or say.......your head must be spinning,  i'm sure you didn't expect your LP results to be positive for Obands and totally change everything, again hugs!

Unfortunately your question is not easy to answer, your basically untypical but generally the rule of thumb to working out if it is an MS relapse is.......a relapse is the 'return' of previously remitted sx's and or the 'worsening' of your sx's and or experiencing a 'new' sx for not less than a period of 24/48 hours.

Added to the complication is pseudo's exacerbations, which are basically a temporary worsening of sx's and its caused by the rise of external/internal temperatures - over heating (Uhthoff's), infections eg UTI's, fatigue from over doing it, sleep issues etc etc. pseudo's are not a true attack/flare/relapse etc

Relapses vs pseudo's can be very difficult to work out in the beginning, it gets easier the more you understand how MS specifically effects you, working out your tipping point so you don't keep pushing your self beyond your limits, not over heating, getting enough rest and keeping on top of infections etc all helps you work out what's happening but until you do understand your bodies signs of relapse, it might help if you contact your neurologist to see if he thinks he needs to see you.

Hugs...........JJ