Hi guys, need a little help. I was rushed into hospital 2 weeks ago with a paralysed arm and slurred speech and treated for a stroke. After 2 weeks they have told me it was not a stroke and probably MS. My neurologist has identified demyelination lesions and I have been given 3 doses of steroids IV. But still my hand does not worK. I can partially move my fingers but its entirely useless. My arm feels like a suitcase is hanging off it, my vision is blurred and I’m short of breath. I can cope with most of it but I need 2 hands. What are the chances of my recovering?
Hi Sam,
I’m sorry to hear about this. I’m afraid the not-very-helpful answer is “it depends”. Firstly, on what type of MS you have. From the suddenness of onset, it sounds as if it’s probably relapsing remitting, and that this was a relapse. Most people DO improve after a relapse, but it varies as to (a) how long it takes, and (b) how complete the recovery is.
Signs of improvement may be so gradual at first, you don’t even notice them. You may find it’s only on looking back, after several weeks, or even months, that you realise: “Hmmm, I’m a lot better than I was”.
I think there’s certainly room for optimism that you will recover, but it may take a lot of time and patience.
Tina
Hello and welcome to the site
I would say it is really early days so chances are good that you’ll recover somewhere between some and all function in your hand. Relapses tend to last about 6 weeks on average, but many last longer than that so I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient and hope that the steroids will work to shorten yours.
As the inflammation dies down, your hand and other symptoms should slowly get better. It’s rarely a straight line recovery though so some days will be better than others and it may be this time next year or even longer before you know what the permanent state of your hand is likely to be.
I realise that it is terribly frustrating as well as being very scary, but try and stay hopeful - the odds are in your favour.
I hope you start to notice improvements very soon.
Karen x
Hello and welcome from me.
If you are new to here you will soon learn that anything Karen says makes good sense.
I am afraid patience is a thing you will have to learn,aswell as adaptation to accomodate symptoms.You will slowly come to realise though that you are not adapting as much as before because things are returning more to normal.
Relapses for me seem to hit hard and recover slowly,but you do get better. Make sure you get medication appropriate to your symptoms. Being able to explain your type of pain is important eg as you do on here a heavy dragging pain, or a burning/pins and needles etc shows that over the counter meds wont work it needs to be nerve related meds.
I wish you well
Pip
Hi Sam & welcome
I just wanted to say hello and wish you a speedy recovery. I had iv steroids the first time I had ON. I regained the sight in that eye fairly quickly and as time went on my sight and colour vision improved quite dramatically. Steroids continue to work for a while afterwards.
Everyone here has a different story to tell and will offer help, support and a listening ear when you need it so don’t be afraid to ask anything.
Hard as it is to do try to stay as positive as you can and remember you’re not alone - we all understand what a scary and worrying time it is.
Debbie xx
Thank you so much! It’s such a relief to know someone understands.