This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi everyone,

I've been newly diagnosed, I was hospitalized a week ago tomorrow for my symptoms (difficulty urinating, numb torso, back, left hand and numbness/weakness in legs). I did 3 days of steroids and was out of the hospital 3 days ago. I've been having mild symptoms for about 2 months before I was diagnosed but the severe numbness started a week ago. The nuerologist sais this has all been one attack (from my mild symptoms 2 months ago til now). How long does your typical attack last? I'm praying for this numbness to go away and I know I need to have patience, I'm just scared. I know alot of people with MS have flare ups and then go back to feeling mostly normail I think, so I'm hoping for that. I don't know alot about it all yet so I'm looking for information from others who experience it first hand. I'd appreciate any stories, info or advice. Thank you all...

Hi hlm -

You have every right to be scared.

Remember that MS is a very persnicketty desease. Although many symptoms are similar to all who have ms, Symtoms, active lesions and relapses are expressed different in each individual. On person could have a relapse that last months and others a day or so.

You have come to the right place for support. There are many positive stories, and information on Thisisms as well as a place to vent your frustration.

hi hlm,

I had numness and strange feelings (burning...) in my legs for several months (but no other symptoms).

That relapse started in october 2006, in december i was diagnosed in hospital and they gave me steroids for 3 days. My feet were still burning and the legs felt "strange". The diagnosis and the hospital didn't help me to relax at all, as you can imagine... I had to wait till march 2007 and everything was ok again... > 5 months!

Still some time left to recover...

All the best
Sandrine

To answer your question, about how long "your" relapses lasted.... Well, I can tell you mine lasted for about a week real strong then took another two weeks to taper off, unmedicated. However, every single case and person is and will be different. I wish I had the answer you are wanting to hear. Truth is, it sucks when you look to your doctor for an answer and they cant give you one. MS is a weird creature. I know this answer dont make you feel any better, but it's the truth.

hlm,

Your fear and desperation are coming through loud and clear and it reminds me so much of what I was going through in Jan. of this year, after an onset of optic neuritis and severely impaired vision. I knew nothing of MS at the time and failed to grasp the big picture, I somehow felt that MS was secondary to the primary issue...my eyes. I wanted so badly to hear from people who'd had EXACTLY the same symptoms. The doctors told me it would pass. I didn't know whether to expect gradual improvement or just wake up one day and see fine again. You're probably wondering that too. For me, the first improvement came about 3 weeks after the hospital stay and a steroid i.v. It was a drastic, overnight improvement and I was thrilled. It took about 3 more weeks of gradual improvement before I felt like I could function normally. I know you're trying to stay calm but I also know how utterly impossible that is. Anyway, I'm glad you found us and hope you'll keep us posted.
Kara

Thank you all so much for your heartfelt responses. I have felt better since the steroids (am able to urinate on my own again, although sometimes it takes much concentration, I am walking without any aids, however I'm still very numb in my torso and left arm/hand) Mostly its the numbness that I'm worried about and am praying to make a full recovery so that I can function normally (driving, working, using my left hand because I'm left handed, etc.) I sometimes can't tell if I am feeling better or if I'm just learning to better function and feeling happier so that affects it too positively. It is such a relief though to hear people say that it took a little while to get better, as strange as that may sound, it's just sometimes I fear that if I'm not better already, it might not work, but I'm trying not to think that way and be optimistic, and listen to all of your advice, and I am so grateful to have found this site for support! It has only been a week since I was hospitalized so I'm trying to have patience and hopfully get better each day. IO do wonder though what is best to heal quickly - resting a lot or trying to go on with your day to day activities? Its a little hard for me to rest alot with a toddler on the go, but I do have family support and try to take it easy, I just don't want to push too hard and slow down my recovery, do you think thats possible? I want to do whats best...

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