Am I having a relapse

Everyday living
1

Hi

How do you know when you’re having a relapse? I’m still fairly new to all this at the moment. I was diagnosed with RRMS in April this year and started taking Avonex at the end of July.

Over the last few days my balance has gone to pot, every time I go round a corner or up and down the stairs it’s all I can do to stay on my feet. My right arm and leg numbness is worse, pins and needles are worse and the tiredness is overwhelming.

I work full time as a deputy practice manager in a local surgery and it’s really busy at the moment (flu clinic season!) so I really don’t think I can take a few days off but if things don’t improve over the next few days I might have to. I just cried when I got home yesterday evening, I was so stressed and tired. We were on holiday in Spain two weeks ago and it was so relaxing and I felt really good. But within a few days of being back at work I could feel myself going slowly down hill. So I’m not sure whether it’s stress or a relapse.

I’ve left a message for the MS nurse and I’m waiting for her to call me back.

Lynne

2

Hi Lynne Sounds very much like a relapse, fatigue is the worst part of MS and getting stressed can aggrevate a relapse. Try listening to your body and rest whenever possible. Hope you start to feel better soon Sue xx

3

Hi Lynne,

Sorry, I’m not going to be a lot of help to you because I dont know whether you are having a relapse but I too work in a gp practice (finance) and can relate to what you are saying about stress. I do know that stress makes my symptoms far worse and feel at the moment my life is one round of going to work and coming home and flaking on the sofa, weekends are spent recovering from the week only to start all over again on Monday. I really hope its not a relapse for you…

Suex