WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?

A description of my recent MS Flare.

Oh, happy day! I just finished the fifth and final Solu-Medrol steroid infusion for an MS Flare. I have no clue what precipitated it but as with everything MS, it’s a mystery.

Two weeks ago, I was sitting in my scooter working on my laptop, listening to the TV and all of a sudden it felt like there were a 1,000 rubber bands being tightened around my right lower leg. It felt like it was “asleep” and numb. At the same time, my left hand and fingers went numb. (There’s always and underlying numb sensation, but it was more pronounced.) On top of it, my ENTIRE BODY WAS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN!!!!!! AND, I had been unable to sleep for days. Not good! You know what happens with lack of sleep?????

Multiple sclerosis (MS) flare-ups are distinct, sudden episodes of either new symptoms or a worsening of existing symptoms. They are characteristic in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), which is marked by recurrent acute flares (relapses) followed by partial or complete recovery (remission).[1]

A flare-up may consist of one or more symptoms that last for at least 24 hours and up to weeks or months. To be a flare-up, symptoms must be specific to MS and not due to other factors, such as an infection. Two distinct flares-ups are separated by a remission period of at least 30 days.[2]

[Flare-ups also are known as attacks, relapses, episodes, or exacerbations.]

Since the symptoms need to last for at least 24 hours, I had to wait to reach out to my neuro until the next day to discuss the issue with her. I did. Unfortunately, she was out of the office until MONDAY! ARGH!!!

She was reactive and jumped right on it. She set the wheels in motion and got the script and home health ordered to start the five-day infusion.

The home health nurse arrived to start the IV. I tend to be a hard stick. This time was no different. I ended up with a blown vein on my left forearm and giant bruise. Boy does it hurt!

She had to call her supervisor to come out to start the IV. She got it on the first try. For five days, I had an IV needle in my right forearm. Not the most fun but definitely better than being stuck every day.

After the first infusion, I felt a difference. AMAZING. By the end of the day, the pain was subsiding and that night I was finally able to sleep. My right leg is feeling much better.

Unfortunately, one of the lingering effects that is driving me crazy is a headache! It feels like the old migraines I used to get. Nothing is helping.

The only way we’ll know if this was a true relapse with progression is when I have my next MRI.

Considering this is the first time I’ve had to undergo a round of steroids in over three years, I think I’ve done pretty darn good.

Now to get rid of this stupid headache!