Help... What exactly is an exaberation? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

whatsmyname · 08-01-2004, 12:52 AM

I am in the process of finding out if I have MS. My first 2 brain MRI's showed lesions and the third MRI was "normal"; the lesions did not show up. Despite this my memory, cognitive, and balance problems continue to worsen.

I keep reading that in order to diagnose MS you have to have had exaberations. I don't understand what this means. I have my symptoms all of the time but I do have days here and there that they get much worse. For instance this past week I had 3 days where I felt invisible bugs on my head, face, and legs. I could literaly feel something crawling on me. only there was nothing there. Then yesterday it just stopped. My scalp is still irritated from where i scratched it so much.

I always have trouble with my balance but it's nothing major then a can go through a period where I can hardly hold myself up.

Can you help me to understand this?
Thanks.

elecchic1022 · 08-05-2004, 02:38 PM

Hi Whatsmyname,

My MRI showed only one lession. Six months later, the lession was gone. I was told that this is common in Relapsing Remitting MS, which I was finally firmly diagnosed within 22 months of my first episode.

I had my 2nd "spell" or exacerbation this past Feb. An exacerbation as I know it is a "flare-up", "spell", or "episode" where either old symptoms worsten, or new ones pop up. If someone out there knows more about this let us know.

Meanwhile, try to go on about your business, try to stay stressfree (easier said than done, I know), and keep yourself cool. Heat will mimic an exacerbation. Stress could bring one on. Try some of the MS websites to educate yourself (I don't think I can publish them here, but you can use a search engine). The more you know about the disease, the more you can rule out MS, or cope with MS. Either way, becoming more knowledgable about this disease will help ease your mind and maybe eliminate some stress about your situation.

I wish you the best, and take care of YOU!
Chrissy