Hello, after living with relatively mild RRMS for 24 years (for which I am so grateful) I had a relapse back in May and it has left significant effects on my health.
I am now taking Gabapentin, which has finally reduced the pain, and Vumerity.
I am however left with walking issues: I now use a walking stick, I am extremely slow and my gait goes heywire after about 10 minutes and recovery time is increasing.
I used to keep relatively fit, hand weights, yoga and strolling most days but this is no longer possible and I am still not back at work my full hours.
This relapse has not only caused strain on my physical health but has impacted me mentally. My life has ground to a halt somewhat.
Just wondering how others have coped with the limiting implications of a big relapse?
Thank you
Sarah 
Itās horrible and thereās really nothing good to say about it. It is many years since my last big relapse before starting Tysabri, but it was the end of proper walking for me, and thatās a tough one to take. These days Iām just happy and grateful to get about as well as I do, but truth be told it took a while to get there mentally.
I am sorry that you are having a bad time.
Thank you Alison for your kind and honest words.
Sending love your way x
Hi Sarah, my sympathies to you. For a long time I wasnāt able to walk for more than 30 mins or so, itās now down to around 15mins. The decrease took place over the last year or so and Iāve had a bit of time to adjust.
A couple of years ago I bought myself a small folding mobility scooter that i could put in the back of a car and e.g take into a restaurant folded up. Using it for the first few times was a bit upsetting - and I definitely felt a bit defeated and self conscious in public. Iām not fully ver the defeated and self conscious stuff but e.g in parks and and the like I actually quite enjoy it and get off to sit on a bench or in a bird hide (Iām a birder) enjoying such things as ānormalā.
Iām sorry that I canāt offer any tips on adjusting mentally and emotionally other than to allow yourself to grieve for a while and to think about things you would like to do and can do.
Hi Sarah, Iām not sure if Iām having a relapse or just the MS has upped a gear?
I am still having tysabri infusions although Iām not sure if they will continue as Iām awaiting the MRI results from 2 weeks ago.
Things have definitely changed and I am currently off work but truly hope to get back one day.
For me I think itās about adapting, once again to the ānew meā and if that means rollator or whatever is advised I will do it. I want to continue as long as albeit a lot more unsteady and wobblier.
Cannot thank all the great people on this site for their help and guidance on this MS journey.
Hope things settle for you and you find what is the best outcome for you.
Much love
Maryx
Thank you so much for your reply. It is really good to hear how other people are getting on with and adapting their lives.
I am sure things will be easier to cope with in time even if I can never fully accept them.
Enjoy your bird watching and ride that scooter with pride!
Thank you once again x
Iāve seen mobility scooter that look like they are three wheeled Harley Davisons. Not practical for me but sometimes I think - why not? Get the whole outfit , leathers , shades and as you say ā ride with prideā.
One day at a time is my mantra at the moment.
I have always been a āglass half fullā thinker and try to look for the positives.
But sometimes my resolve is as wobbly as my legs!
I really hope things pick up for you Mary amd thank you for replying x
Iām with you and the āglass half fullā.
Onwards and upwards always. I will let you lovely folk of the result as soon as I do
Much love
Mary x
Hello Sarah, how are you?
Iām a fellow RRMS-er of 22 years now.
I was still quite spritely and active earlier on in the disease too.
Since the big-ish relapse in January, Iāve still been off from work.
Just recently started on Kesimpta treatment but will have to resume after Iāve shaken off this clingy Covid-19 virus.
My graded return to work will have to wait, until after Iāve had surgery on my throat also, whenever that will be?
I just see 2023 as a time-out year for me, with next year just around the corner, I think it will be the ideal opportunity to release a 2.0 version of myself in 2024.
Best regards,
JP
Thank you for replying JP.
It sounds like tou have so much on your plate at the moment.
Hopefully version 2.0 is up and running as soon as possible!
Iāve had relatively mild relapses over almost the past three decades, but this latest relapse ground my normal life to a halt, and I struggle with mobility issues and pain most days now.
I too was always a āglass half fullā person but through the last few months i have felt like someone has taken the glass, poured it down the drain and smashed it to pieces! My mental state has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but things seem to be improving.
I think you have to allow yourself to feel emotional when the mood takes you, but the good days do come around and we have to make the most of them.
Hope things improve for you x
Thank you so much for your message.
Your story sounds similar to mine in sone extents.
My thoughts go out to you for an improvement in symptomsā¦still trying to think that glass is half full!
I am full of mantras at the momentā¦āone day at a timeā being my main one.
I oive in hope with a bit if realism, so I am plodding on woth my walking stick and seeing where i get to.
Sending love 
Honestly- I cry everyday. I ended up being off legs from pseudomonas which nearly killed me, took me a year to learn to walk again using a sara steady, was starting to use a frame ( my life was on the up) and THEN the electric wheelchair I was in malfunctioned, catapulted me through the air, slamming me onto our brick driveway and head into exterior of our propertyā¦ 12 hours of surgery, huge mess up with blood transfusions, anaphylaxis and covid all on trauma ward!! More metal, 2 rods,.plate, nails etc ginormous leg mutilated and here I am again, I have ptsd medical anorexia and few other bits- that accident was 14 months ago and im exhausted BUT still trying to stand, even though Community physio have left me on my own. My point being is grab what you have, you are still able to walk with a gait, but please keep going, because at the age of 45- im starting to give up any form of hope. Sending much love.x