would a urinary infection cause a relapse of MS symptoms

[deeaberdeen]

Hi all, small question for you, i had no symptoms for 5 months, which was wonderful, and then i got this urinary infection , and the next thing i knew i had severe face pain, particularly in my nose, where it feels lie i have been bashed in the face with a pan, i have buzzing in my ears, and just a general tightness in my neck and shoulders,
i got my eyebrows tattooed also, could this have caused trigeminal neuralgia ? or would it have been the infection, ? i am due to see my neurologist in 2 days , i am still just sitting undiagnosed with possible MS ......

[supermum_ms]

Technically a bad enough urinary tract infection (UTI) could set off an MS relapse but a UTI wouldn't generally cause a full blown relapse, it's not uncommon for a UTI to cause a pseudo relapse though. A pseudo is not a true relapse but what happen's to an MSer when exposed too external heat, rise in temperature due to an infection, menstruation, too much physical activity etc.

With pseudo relapses, previously remitted symptoms will return until rested and cooled down, and if it's an infection the symptoms can continue until the infection has cleared the system. Pseudo's do not cause 'new' symptoms, new is more consistent with a relapse.

No doubt about it, TN usually causes very severe pain but it should follow the nerve thats basically running along the jaw line, the main identifier for trigeminal neuralgia is sudden attacks of severe, sharp and shooting facial pain in the lower part of the face along the jaw, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to about two minutes, often mistaken for a dental issue or even an ear infection.......i've honestly never heard of trigeminal neuralgia described as "severe face pain, particularly in my nose, where it feels lie i have been bashed in the face with a pan, i have buzzing in my ears, and just a general tightness in my neck and shoulders" so to me it doesn't sound right for TN.

I probably wouldn't mention TN specifically by name to your neuro unless that is one of your existing diagnosed issues but you might consider telling him what you've been experiencing since you got a UTI........sorry not really sure how the eyebrow tat would cause what you;ve described, only thing i can come up with would be if the hygiene etc was questionable and it's caused a blood disease or infection but thats a complete guess,

Hope that helps........JJ  

[aspen2]

Infection or any increase in body temperature can cause a pseudo exacerbation (and exacerbations as well) of ms, however it can also worsen symptoms of other conditions as well.

I'm not a doctor - I don't imagine tattooing eyebrows could cause trigeminal neuralgia but I imagine it could set of peripheral neuralgias.  Any surgery or invasive procedure can nick a nerve.

The trigeminal nerve lies across your face, and you would generally have pain in other areas than your nose.  The pain also doesn't present as you described here.  Does your nose hurt when you sleep?

Hint.  When you see the neuro, don't use the term trigeminal neuralgia.  It speaks of online activity and neuros don't appreciate that.  Mention the tattoo, the uti, then describe the pain and when it started.

I hope you're able to find some answers at your appointment!

[aspen2]

Set OFF ... Pardon the typo :).

[supermum_ms]

lol great minds think alike :D

[aspen2]

LOL we're just that good ;).