I’ve just got out of hospital after 7 days, a relapse and emergency MRI revealed a new lesion. I also managed to acquire mrsa and rsv during my stay. Is it normal to be a sponge for infections with ms? In the last 13 weeks I’ve also had renal sepsis and cellulitis it seems never ending. I feel so woozy I’m not sure if that’s an ms thing, infection or iv steroids. My first appt at the ms clinic isn’t for a few weeks so I don’t really know what I should feel in terms of recovery. Any reassurance is welcome the fresh lesion came as a real blow to me as I only had an mri in August which also showed changes.
Hello there. Sounds like you have been having a rough and unfortunate time!
So far as I know having MS doesn’t make you a sponge for infections. I do tend to be careful to avoid crowded places in winter but e.g at the beginning of October my wife and her daughter came back from a short break and brought Covid with them. With care and even though both were coughing away for a week or so, I escaped infection.
I do know that many MS treatments can lower white blood cell counts and the effectiveness of your immune system. As I recall some of the more recent treatments can have a significant impact. Might be worth talking with your MS Nurse.
Hi thank you for response. I am very early days, diagnosed a couple weeks ago. The only treatment I have had is IV steroids for this relapse. I will definitely mention it as maybe it’s a separate thing to my ms. I know ms flares when we have infections which explains why I’ve had so many on the bounce. 
Yes, as you say MS can flare up with infections and for these reasons I am pretty cautious about going to crowded places particularly in the winter. Bit of a nuisance really. My wife and I used to go to the theatre for plays and stuff but the ones near us can get very airless and, as old style theatres, the seats are pretty close to each other. A shame but better safe than sorry
I have two little ones so bug avoidance is impossible 
I’m sorry though that your illness has took you away from the things you love. That’s my biggest fear the thought of not being able to potter about my allotment, but I guess we adapt and find new ways to keep us sane 
Hi @Fatgirlthin83
How’s this latest R-R going? I had a mini one starting last weekend and I feel I’ve almost shaken it off now, I just took the usual painkillers (anti-inflammatories) and stepped up the physiotherapy exercises, I think the trick is to keep on moving like trying to get your endorphins going which is the body’s natural adrenaline rush. 
Regarding vulnerability to illnesses, apart from my 3 MS relapses/flare-ups within the last 2 years, I’ve caught twice covid + pneumonia + rsv. I know multiple sclerosis depletes the immune system and those powerful DMDs have near enough obliterated my lymphocytes. 
Having a good rest, plus healthy diet is key to recovery,
get well soon,
JP
Oh - two little bug -carriers 
. There is a good cinema near us with tons of space and, being retired, we go to afternoon showings at which the number of empty seats far exceed the occupied ones.
It’s over 18 years since my MS diagnosis and, aged 70, I still potter in the garden - manage some hedge cutting , pruning, a bit of lawn mowing and weeding so - long may your allotment days last !
1 Like
Oh my goodness, I am sorry to read this. How awful for you.
I’m not sure about an MS link. Steroids do suppress the innate immune response, certainly. But most of us with RRMS have had courses of high dose steroids and - me included - and I doubt whether many have been as unlucky as you. No wonder you’re feeling bruised by it all.
Hi jp I’m sorry to hear you are in a flare but I’m glad it’s settled. The steroids gave me a boost and some things are better but some have returned and tbh I feel very groggy and not quite cognitively with it lol I’m hoping once I am infection free everything settles and I can get better
I do feel like someone is out to get me it’s just bad timing I had the a-typical post birth relapse pretty much three months to the date which is what I read could happen. I’m sure once I have a treatment plan and make some adjustments to my lifestyle I won’t be so bad. I hope all is well with you
1 Like
I’m grumpy sitting out a mild chest infection, thank you. An amateur-hour affair in comparison to your impressive list of ailments. 
Absolutely not chest infections are horrible and exhausting too! Hope you get well soon