Flair Up - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

SHAWN2426 · 01-04-2007, 10:04 AM

This Maybe A Silly Question, But How Do You Know When You Are Having A Flair? I Feel Bad Most Of The Time And Have So Many Aches And Pains Anyway...just Asking

MSHekele · 01-04-2007, 11:41 AM

Hi,

No question is silly.

I have had MS for 3 years now and sometimes I am not sure if Im having a flair. I guess it just depends on your symptoms. Most of the time when I have a flair I get optic neuritis, and when you have that you know. My eye hurts really bad and Im sensetive to light and I loose some of my vision. With MS affecting so many poeple so differently you just have to listen to your body. Generally I always have aches and pains and it sounds like you do too. But if it gets to the point where my legs feel heavy and normal activity becomes difficult then generally I will think its a flair. Sometimes its hard to tell though because you can feel extra bad one day. Sometimes if you overdue somthing you can feel worse if the symptoms dont go away after resting then it could be a flair. I would suggest calling your neuro. Thats what I usually do. Im lucky I can call and usually get answers pretty fast or they set me up to do steriod treatments.
I hope this helps I feel like Im rambling.
Best of luck to you
Feel Better
Heather

SHAWN2426 · 01-04-2007, 12:14 PM

My Legs Are Whats Bothering Me, They Feel Heavy And Extremely Tired. Just Dont Want To Move. Also If Youve Read The Board Much I Have Complained Alot About My Right Hand, Well Now My Left Hand Is Aching And Hurting Some Too. Not To The Extent Of The Right But Hurting. Im Going To Get In Touch With The Dr. But Unlike Yours It Usually Takes A While To Get A Response. Thanks For The Coment From You Though.....shawn

MSNik · 01-04-2007, 12:35 PM

Shawn, sometimes, but not always, a flair up is a new set of symtoms...with me, I too, have all the time pain in my left hand and left foot- but when I had my flair up a month ago, both my eyes as well as both my legs were involved..it was MUCH more noticable, I had a gimp as well as a drag in my foot, and my eyes hurt all the time. MINE was NOT optical Neuritis, as I went as far as seeing a Neuro-Opthalmologist who ruled it out, however after the most thorogh eye exam of my life, he ruled the pain as MS pain, and said there is NOTHING wrong with my vision or eyes, there is nothing he can do, beyond prescribe pain pills, which I choose not to take. I take an occasional sleeping pill (ambien) when it gets rough, but on a daily basis, I try not to take anything besides my MS medication (3x a week, Rebif).
When you are having a flair up, or episode, youll notice more than usual symtpoms and pain...talk to your doctor...and also, get rest...sometimes that is all it takes to ward off a full fledged relapse!
Nikki

bama girl · 01-04-2007, 02:25 PM

Hey Shawn-- this is the former Alabama Fan--I couldn't log in so got a new name!! I've missed posting on the board but with the holidays I've been extremely busy!! I have asked our neuro the same thing because I can't tell what might be a flare and what is just "old age" (at 41!!). One time I had severe back pain and couldn't raise my left leg for a couple of days but he said better safe than sorry and started me on a round of steroids. They helped but he said steroids would also help if it was something other than MS.I didn't really like that answer because I don't want to take steroids unless I have too. He also said a flare would be new symptoms that get worse over a period of a couple of days and don't get better. Hope your having a better day!!

Bama Girl-- roll tide---Yeh!!! Sabin!!!!