This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[hayley930]

Hi there, I am in diagnosis limbo and looking for information. I am aware of the long list of MS symptoms, but I can't find any info about how long those symptoms should last in order to be considered abnormal. For example, I get dizzy sometimes, but it passes pretty quickly. I experience a lot of numbness/tingling in my toes and fingers, but it's gone with in an hour. I consider those to be negligible occurrences, they can happen to anyone! How long do these things have to last in order to be classified as an MS "episode"?

Thanks in advance to anyone who is kind enough to answer =)

[gtg287y]

I'm in diagnosis limbo, so I know what you mean.

From what I understand a MS "flare up" lasts at least 24 hours and is a sign that you have new lesions. But, there are also things called "paroxsmal symptoms" which are a lot shorter (seconds, minutes, whatever). These are basically existing lesions being aggravated by something.

It's one of the reasons why I'm so confused what does or does not indicate a possibility of MS.