Attack or relapse?

Everyday living
1

I understood an m.s. attack to be a ‘new’ part of the body being affected and a relapse occurring when that part of the body ‘seizing up’ again after making a full or partial recovery,

So shouldn’t we be talking about attack and remission as well as relapse and remission?

2

As I understand it, attack and relapse mean the same. They are a flare up of any symptoms at least four weeks after the last relapse has subsided. So someone with RRMS might suffer difficulty walking. After a while this problem clears or partially clears. If they suffer the same problems six months after the end of the previous relapse, it’s a relapse with the same symptoms. On the other hand, the person might have trouble with their eyesight, but this is also a relapse even though the symptoms are different. It’s the MS that’s relapsing, not the symptoms.

The problem I’ve had with talking about MS to people is the number of terms that seem to describe the same thing. I’ve seen references to relapses, attacks and even exacerbations. They seem to be interchangeable. I’d be interested to know if there is a difference between them.

3

No there really synonymous; other words you could use are a flare up, an episode, a blip or an exacerbation.

To be considered a new relapse:

  • it must last for at least 24 hours but more commonly for a number of weeks
  • it must occur at least 30 days after the start of a previous relapse
  • there must be no other explanation for the onset of symptoms such as an infection or a rise in body temperature

George

4

I do not believe there to be any difference.

5

I understood the term ‘attack’ was used for an initial problem. If that problem re-occurred then it’s classed as a ‘relapse.’

If, for instance, your left leg packs up you call it an attack. Things recover and left leg is functioning again, then it packs up again then I’d say that was a relapse.

6

What ever word ,phrase,you use all I ever say is “no here comes that s&!#? Thing again” how the hell can it be my elbows,knees, leg ,it was somewhere else 4weeks ago