Seasonal MS attacks

[L]

Hiya

I have had one MS attack every year since the condition first appeared six years ago. And it always happens in spring (except one summer when a lumbar puncture brought a huge attack on.)

I know that some conditions can be seasonal. Autumn, for example, is a bad time for men with heart conditions owing to the changes in hormones that are experienced when the weather changes (or so I read once).

Does anyone else get seasonal attacks? Perhaps it's all one big coincidence. Any ideas on why it might not be?

Thanks!

[whyRwehere]

We have noticed that my husband seems to get worse in the Spring or the Autumn. I don't know if it the stress from work at these times, or the change in weather.

[CureOrBust]

....except one summer when a lumbar puncture brought a huge attack on...

I know it wasn't the point you were making, but I have never had an LP, and this is just one more reason not to!

[lyndacarol]

L--I have a friend with MS who has attacks in spring and fall; she thinks her attacks coincide with her allergies and allergy season. Could this be increased mucus again?

[carolew]

I don't get real attacks but in the spring, I often have 'lows' I call them and I think it is because the winter has been so rough that my body complains by giving increases in my symptoms.

[ssmme]

I don't get what I consider real attacks either...it's only in hindsight that I realize that what I've been experiencing could have been an attack. The worst time I ever had was after my lumbar puncture. I have lasting damage from that period that has never faded away.

As my neurologist told me - the only thing predictable about ms is it's unpredictability. It manifests differently in those dx'd and different people respond differently to each drug whether off-label or fda approved. There is no treatment that works for the masses. Finding a treatment for yourself is pretty much accomplished through trial and error. Stay away from witch doctor approaches but keep an open mind to what's out there.

I've never been on any of the CRAB drugs. Instead, I chose to be a Tovaxin "lab rat". Since starting the trial back in March of '07 I've had no outwardly physical deterioration of my condition but no improvements either. Maybe I will start to see improvement now that I'm in the extension study but it'll be a while before I'll be able to tell.

Good luck finding the regimen that works for you.

Marcia

[DavidR]

I have seen some suggestions that attacks are more frequent in the Spring because that is when Vit D level is lowest. You might want to get your Vit D level checked in Jan/Feb and then adjust your supplements if necessary.

[L]

....except one summer when a lumbar puncture brought a huge attack on...

I know it wasn't the point you were making, but I have never had an LP, and this is just one more reason not to!

It was the worst experience I have ever had (I think)

I don't get what I consider real attacks either...it's only in hindsight that I realize that what I've been experiencing could have been an attack. The worst time I ever had was after my lumbar puncture. I have lasting damage from that period that has never faded away.

Just like yourself it was a huge attack that was brought on by my lumbar puncture. by far and away the biggest ever, lots of damage stayed. Luckily the tinnitus went after a couple of months, I could sit straight after a few weeks and eventually my one dilated pupil returned to normal. It was awful. I have never felt so wretched in my life. I am almost tempted to recommend that anyone due for one should turn it down but it's useful to uncover worse illnesses and get those treated quickly, right?

[L]

L--I have a friend with MS who has attacks in spring and fall; she thinks her attacks coincide with her allergies and allergy season. Could this be increased mucus again?

This makes sense. I have always had allergies - hay fever, a tendency to eczema if I use perfumed soap or washing up powder... And some ecxema has accompanied MS flare ups and attacks in the past.

Thanks so much for suggesting this. Next Spring I shall take lots of the steroid medication Beconase for sure. Very interesting...

[MaggieMae]

My husband's attacks were mostly in the spring (from the very beginning over 30 years ago). I too noticed that they coinsided with allergy season.

I also wondered about the Vitamin D. By the end of the winter, Vitamin D would be lower. My husband is on 4000IU daily for the past couple of years and his levels are still not that high. Just had his 25(HO)D checked last month and it was only 33. But, I did notice that since he started the Vitamin D, he doesn't get his yearly winter cold (that lasted for months).

[chriscoxrox]

I live in Texas and when winter hit last year as soon as the hot turned to cold overnight my flare up started. That was after 2 years almost to the day of my first attack.