pregnant wife with severe MS attack-HELP?? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

red guy · 04-16-2005, 09:58 PM

My wife was diagnosed with MS in march 27, 2004 (two days prior to our one year anniversary). She had a lesion the size of a lemon in the front right portion of her brain. After an 8 day hospital stay and 4 months of steroids, she was mostly back to normal as of march 2005. During this time, our veteran neurologist gave us 6 months to get pregnant, and we were blessed(conception on 11-11-04)

. Her symptoms were consistent with a frontal lobe lesion (spatial problems with dizziness, impulsivity, left sided weakness).

It was to my understaing that MS typically goes into remission during pregnancy...

On the morning of march 16, 2005, my wife awoke and said, "somethings not right, maybe we should go to the hospital?" She has been diagnosed with a relapse. Her symptoms are very severe this time: right side neglect, low tone on her right side(paralysis on her right upper extremity), poor safety, poor proprioception(limb position in space), severe gait disturbance, cognitive changes...It has been 31 days in the hospital and her progress has been very slow(she still needs 24 hour care).

1. Question: Everywhere I have looked, I have not found anyone with such severe symptoms. Has anyone seen such a severe new case? What happened?

2. I have found limited information relating pregnancy and MS. Anyone?

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I sincerely thank you all for your help.

Dazee2100 · 04-16-2005, 11:22 PM

So sorry to hear about your wife.

10 months ago I had a beautiful lil girl ! Found out I was pregnant during one of my relapses..and was in the hospital.

I did alot of reading up on PG and MS. And it is true most go into remission, however, is your wife experiencing morning sickness? That can trigger a relapse (that is what I read..sorry can't give you the site..wish I could).

How far along is she? And yes I have heard of relapses that severe, and it take that long to recover..and longer.

How is the baby? Has her OB checked all hormone levels? Most reading I did states they believe women go into remission during pregnancy is because of the surge of hormones during different stages of the pregnancy.

There isn't much out there to read, I am afraid. My OB was at a loss about it, I was the first patient she had treated.

Hold strong and try not to go crazy, which I am sure is hard to do.
Because after pregnancy, a relapse can occur, because of a severe drop in hormones. 3 days after I gave birth, I went blind in my left eye and had left side weakness and walking problems. My OB and Neuro were ready for it and expecting it, just not that soon after the pregnancy.

Get her Neuro and OB to work together. Mine did and it really helped!

Take care and all of you are in my prayers.

Dazee2100

red guy · 04-17-2005, 07:25 AM

thank you dazee2100 for your response.

So far, my wife appears to have been spared the hardship of morning sickness. She is about 5 months along, and according to all reports, the baby is doing very well (steroids for the MS are actually helpful to the baby-they are often used for premature babies).

Our OBGYN has been practicing for ~15 years and has little first hand experience with a patient as complex as my wife. I will have to follow up to see how her hormone levels are doing. Even our neurologist, a 20 year veteran, who is also the head of neurology for the cleveland clinic (for the Ohio city of Lakewood) keeps saying my wife continues to be atypical.

If you come across anyone like us, please have them contact us. our e-mail address is: [ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ]

thank you.

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Jewel2 · 04-17-2005, 08:12 AM

Hi,
My daughter's MS was worse during her pregnancy. She fought symptoms the entire time and she ended up totally blind and paralyzed from the neck down. I mean completely paralyzed where we had to spoon feed her, use Depends because she had no idea of bladder and bowel function, etc.

We carried her on to a plane and took her to Dallas where she was cared for by an Internist and his wife who is a nurse. They took care of her and administered 5 days of IV steroids. She responded very well to the steroids so well that she could walk again by the time she was done. She was 7 mos pregnant at the time.

When she gave birth her MS went crazy again, both during the labor and delivery and afterward. She ended up almost as bad, but not as completely paralyzed. But she went blind again. Once again she responded well to steroids. It is my understanding that an attack after giving birth is not unusual.

So, your wife is not alone in having MS difficulties during pregnancy. I'm very sorry she's going through it.

What does her neuro say about using steroids during pregnancy?

Best wishes to you and your wife!!
Julie

moderator2 · 04-17-2005, 11:56 AM

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