Hi hope all are keeping well and doing the best we can in the circumstances.
I have been advised that I’m having a pseudo relapse. The only way I can describe this is that all my symptoms seem to be heightened. Pain is more enhanced, walking is more difficult and balance seems to have taken a holiday.
I had a minor car accident about 8 weeks ago and I am told this could have triggered the pseudo relapse. I don’t really know what this is but when I google the name it states it doesn’t last more than 24 hours. Mine has been going on for a few weeks now.
Does anyone have more information please so as I can understand this situation better and find ways to manage?
Thank you.
I don’t know anything about the technicals, but honestly I’m not sure that MS always pays much attention to the definitions as decreed by the boffins. In my personal experience, things like hot weather cause a predictable and temporary flare up of most of my MS troubles, and a good air-conditioned night’s sleep returns things to baseline. Fever does the same. But (again in my own experience) there’s a half-way house of a flare up that lasts longer than a ‘pseudo-relapse’ has any right to - just as you describe - and I’m not sure that there is an easy way to tell when the ‘pseudo’ bit needs closer questioning. Stressful events can trigger an actual relapse too.
Hi,
I think they might use the word “pseudo” to describe something that is like a relapse except that the symptoms are not new.
The definition of “relapse” is a “new” symptom lasting at least 24 hrs.
So the “pseudo” does not imply that it’s less serious or less of a problem for you. Perhaps the point is that it’s not a new area of inflammation.
Have you asked for a discussion about the cost/benefits of trying to treat these symptoms? If it’s not new inflammation they may not be looking to change your DMT regime but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be done to help…
Hi @Slimcea , Firstly I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I too have SPMS and my symptoms have been off the scale for month’s now, the fatigue in particular, my MS nurse describes this as a period of activity as I don’t have relapses and I/she doesn’t know how long it will last, I’ve had SPMS for nearly 19yrs and on and off had periods of activity and sadly the increase in symptoms have stuck around, ie so it’s progressing (sadly) I’ve also got new symptoms on top of the old ones.
I had double pneumonia and was in hospital for a week in Feb 2024 and I think this really set things off for me and it seems things aren’t going back, so I feel for you, sadly can’t offer any advice, other than stick with it, take care and look after yourself.
Jean x