Question... - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

curious11 · 02-08-2006, 03:03 PM

Why do some "sclerosis" heal, and some don't? (If that makes any sense!) I am wondering what makes some areas after an attack go back to "normal" and some have lasting residual effects?

(I just came back from my neuro-opthamologist appt. where they said everything with my eye is back to normal after the bout with ON 6 months ago. So I began to wonder... why did my eye heal back to status quo, but I still have lasting effects in other areas from that attack?)

Just curious!! Thanks for any ideas

KelliD · 02-08-2006, 07:46 PM

Hi Curious11! Envision the lesions on your brain as recurring wounds on your arm. Those wounds will usually scab over and heal and leave no traces of their one-time existence.However, if you keep injuring your arm in the exact same places enough, those scabs will ultimately fall away and leave scar tissue.

This is how it is with the lesions. Our bodies will fully repair them until the nerve(s)have demylenated so often that scar tissue is left where there was once a healthy nerve. This is why some side effects linger and others disappear. The ones that havehealed leave no lasting effects. The ones where there are now "scars" cause some measure of permanent damage.

curious11 · 02-08-2006, 08:15 PM

Thanks Kelli... I can grasp that aspect of MS... but more specifically here is my question... I had a lingering attack involving ON, stiffness, spasticity, numbness, weakness in my legs and hands. My hands are back to normal. My eye sight is back to normal. But my legs are still very much affected. So all from one "attack" why did some areas heal, and some did not? I can understand if I had multiple attacks over a period of time, it would be like wear and tear on the specific nerves and that would leave residual effects. But from one attack... some areas fully healed, some did not. I just wonder how they differ and why recovery wouldn't be the same throughout the body?

Does this make sense? I know what I am trying to say... just can't find the words to get right to the point it seems.. hope this covers it. Thanks so much

KelliD · 02-09-2006, 04:42 AM

It does make sense and your neuro is waaaay better qualified to answer than I, but my guess would be that you possibly have more than one active lesion and perhaps the problems are due to the one that has not repaired itself? But this begs another question that I don't understand (so I am glad you brought it up)....why can we seemingly fully recover from a flare....but the symptoms experienced during the flare appear again if we become overly tired? Crazy disease!

curious11 · 02-09-2006, 06:56 AM

Thanks Kelli. This whole notion just popped into my head, and I wasn't sure if I was missing a piece of the puzzle that would better explain it. But I guess it's just part of the mystery of this disease... but I will certaintly as my neuro who specializes in MS in a few weeks. If anyone would have more insight on this, I would think it would be him! I will make sure to post if I get any clarification.

Take care