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Hi
now is the time when my brain goes to mush and all the strategies I normally have, I forget. Fear sets in.

Noticed a heaviness in my limbs last week, now I see the familiar strong reddish/purple colour under my eyes - that always happens just before a relapse and it's unrelated to lack of sleep. My arms and legs feel leaden, numbness is creeping back to my right side, and I know that the MS is starting to rev up again. I can never seem to get through Aug/Sept without a flare-up. Dammit!

Anyone any advice for minimising the flare up or averting it?


Oh and practically-speaking I have a large 6-month old boy to mind fulltime - not easy to get the kind of sleep or rest I'd have taken in the past to help a relapse go. I will be accepting all offers of help from family and friends!

WW--I have always heard of "dark circles under the eyes" as being indicative of allergies or sinus conditions. At this time of year, could these conditions be part of your story? Are you clearing your throat frequently?

Having your little boy now, you are very wise to do as you say,

I will be accepting all offers of help from family and friends!

Children are LOTS of work, but it doesn't last long--enjoy the time you have! (My boy is now 26 and lives a thousand miles away!)

Thanks for the reply Lynda. No my sinuses are ok at the moment. I usually get hay fever in June, and I get a reaction to damp houses but no sinus problem at the moment.

The autumnal equinox, and the month that precedes it, seem to be serious triggers for me. I know that vitamin D is supposed to be highest in late summer, but for some reason my MS nearly always flares at this time too.

I am really enjoying my little man - every day brings something new and I've never been as happy. It is hard work but when he beams out his mega-watt smile my heart just melts. That's what has me so worried - if I get a bad relapse I have to rest for weeks and babies don't do "resting" on that scale. Fingers crossed this will pass in the next few days without getting worse.

I think I have been fighting off a relapse for two or three weeks now. I have had some bad days where I was sure that any minute my brain would switch into full-on vertigo but it hasn't happened yet. At times I almost wish it would happen so I could just get it over with already. It seems to be dying down now.

The only thing I've been doing differently is making sure I get lots of sleep and lazing around on the weekends.

I hope things pass for you as well...

At times I almost wish it would happen so I could just get it over with already.

I can't believe you said this, Punchy. I have had this thought many times and I think, gee, that is a crazy way to think! BUT, it IS really hard to be toyed with over and over, isn't it?
In reality, we are much better off being toyed with than being taken down. I know this and I know you do too. I appreciate your honesty- nice to know I'm not the only one to have had this thought.

I think deep down we all may feel the way Punchy does. It was just seeing it in writing that seems odd. I have also felt this.... Just come on and hit me and get it over with, the sooner it's here the sooner I can get over it. Which is always easy to say but never easy to get over.

Thanks for your honesty,

CF