Hi. I’m new here and looking for some pointers on what others do when they have a relapse that’s sensation based. At the moment I have numbness in my right hand and forearm, and as of this morning, now on the right of my neck and jawline. I feel like the disease is running rampant and I feel so powerless to know what will help and what won’t. I’m trying to take it easy and rest more but it’s not practical to just pause life/ work until it gets better. At the same time, it’s not like I can’t function, numbness is just weird and uncomfortable so it’s tempting to just push on normally. But will that make it worse?
I’m almost 8 years diagnosed and have kept pretty well until recently, and I feel like these are hard to answer questions! But I’m just not sure what to do when things take a turn for the worse. Been having a tough time recently so I’ve no doubt this is stress induced (my mum is terminally ill with months to live) but feel there is not a whole lot I can do to reduce my anxiety around that.
Anyone got any advice on handling similar relapses? How can I change how I live everyday to get through this?
I am sorry that you are having such a difficult time medically and personally. It sounds like you are doing all you can to deal with the relapse that is resting as much as you can within the inevitable constraints of daily life. Beyond that there’s not a fat lot that you can do.
Relapses being easier to avoid than they are to wrestle with, I have tried to fend them off with as strong a disease modifying treatment as I need to keep my MS quiet. If you feel that your MS is switching up a gear you may want to review your medication needs with your advisors.
Sorry to hear you’re going through this at the moment. Also so sorry to hear about your mum.
I had a loss of someone very dear to me which prompted my last relapse. Similar to you I had strange numbness, in my arms and legs along with a bone pain feeling and then difficulty walking. I actually continued with strength training, but used a lot lighter weights due to overall weakness. I don’t think I rested anymore than usual but I wasn’t doing anything fast at the same time.
I think it’s important to eat well and exercise and rest when you feel you need to. I don’t think anything is going to make it worse apart from overdoing it.
You’re going to be going through a very stressful time in your life, just make sure that you talk to people, keep in contact with your ms nurse. There’s no way of avoiding grief, just have to work through it and remember to eat regularly and take your medication. I know it’s very easy to fall apart and stop eating/overeat but you’ve still got to manage your health.
I really hope your symptoms improve soon for you. Keep reaching out, take care
I live with numbness, pretty much all of my body is affected. It’s not compete numbness just varied. I’ve learnt to live with it yes it’s uncomfortable and I was partial to a back stroke once upon a time, but you live with it. The worst is my hands because that does have an effect on my day to day life, gauging temperature, dropping things, rooting in my pocket and playing roulette with what I might pull out.
Definately speak to your ms team as it’s a new symptom and they could help with steroids or DMT’s
The numb hand is doing my head in, I know what you mean about rooting through pockets and dropping things. I’m sorry to hear you experience that full time and in multiple parts of your body at once, helps me put this in perspective.
Thanks for your reply, really helpful to hear what you do with exercise as I also mostly do strength training and wasn’t sure whether continuing would be a bad thing. Lighter weights is sensible. Sorry to hear you lost someone you loved. These times really test the disease skill take your advice and be conscious of looking after myself every day (even when this relapse is over and the threat is less obvious)
Thanks so much for your message. My consultant already had a switch up of treatment on his mind, as I had a relapse 15 months ago. I’m seeing him in April and that’s what we’ll be discussing. I’ve been on Tecfidera since 2017 and it’s served me well but I’m open to whatever he recommends, which seems to be the CD-20 route either by outpatient infusion or self administered injections monthly.
I’ll continue to rest and keep my fingers crossed my symptoms don’t worsen before I can start on something new
