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This past week I started exercising again. By that I mean brisk walking, no weights or anything. I started getting headaches since starting and there is some pain in my ears as well. It feels like an earache but the pain comes and goes. My ears are perfectly clean so I know its not an infection. Could this be another symptom rearing its ugly head? I had awful symptoms the whole summer of 2009, up until I got pregnant in the fall. I haven't had any big problems with MS since then. Does exercising usually cause relapses?

mrsjitters, I'm no doctor, but exercise typically doesn't cause relapses. If it was an existing symptom made worse by exercising, I'd guess that you're having a heat response (body temperature rise leading to activation of symptoms, but not a relapse). I have no idea whether your headaches / ear pain are MS related. Do you feel the pain only while you're exercising?

Anyhow, exercise is actually a good thing for us, so I hope you can continue. Below are some references to research on MS and exercise. I hope you don't get any more head/ear aches.


The impact of regular physical activity on fatigue, depression and quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis

Nicole M Stroudcorresponding author1 and Clare L Minahan1
1School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
corresponding authorCorresponding author.
Nicole M Stroud: n.stroud@griffith.edu.au; Clare L Minahan: c.minahan@griffith.edu.au
Received March 27, 2009; Accepted July 20, 2009.

Background
The purpose of this study was to compare fatigue, depression and quality of life scores in persons with multiple sclerosis who do (Exercisers) and do not (Non-exercisers) regularly participate in physical activity.

Methods
A cross-sectional questionnaire study of 121 patients with MS (age 25–65 yr) living in Queensland, Australia was conducted. Physical activity level, depression, fatigue and quality of life were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Health Status Questionnaire Short Form 36, Becks Depression Inventory and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale.

Results
52 participants performed at least two 30-min exercise sessions·wk-1 (Exercisers) and 69 did not participate in regular physical activity (Non-exercisers). Exercisers reported favourable fatigue, depression and quality of life scores when compared to Non-exercisers. Significant weak correlations were found between both leisure-time and overall reported physical activity levels and some subscales of the quality of life and fatigue questionnaires. Additionally, some quality of life subscale scores indicated that regular physical activity had a greater benefit in subjects with moderate MS.

Conclusion
Favourable fatigue, depression and quality of life scores were reported by persons with MS who regularly participated in physical activity, when compared to persons with MS who were classified as Non-exercisers.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article ... ool=pubmed



Combined exercise training reduces IFN-γ and IL-17 levels in the plasma and the supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in women with multiple sclerosis.

Int Immunopharmacol. 2010 Nov;10(11):1415-9. Epub 2010 Aug 24.
Golzari Z, Shabkhiz F, Soudi S, Kordi MR, Hashemi SM.
Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder in which lymphocytic infiltration mediated mainly by pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we examined the effect of combined exercise training on the levels of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17 in the plasma and the supernatant of peripheral blood lymphocytes in women with multiple sclerosis. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), VO(2)max, muscle strength, and balance tests were obtained at baseline and post-treatment follow-up.

Combined exercises training was designed for 24 sessions during 8 weeks. Each session was started with 5 min warm-up and was followed by 10 min stretch training, 20 min aerobic exercises and 20 min resistance-endurance training.

The disability score was significantly decreased in test MS subjects after 8 weeks combined exercise training. Muscle strength and balance were increased significantly after the training program in test group. In this study, plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) IL-17 and IFN-γ production was significantly decreased after 8 weeks combined training.

Our findings suggest that combined training has useful anti-inflammatory effects by decrease in PBMC and plasma IL-17 production.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20797460



Effects of a 6-month exercise program on patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized study.

Neurology. 2004 Dec 14;63(11):2034-8.
Romberg A, Virtanen A, Ruutiainen J, Aunola S, Karppi SL, Vaara M, Surakka J, Pohjolainen T, Seppänen A.
Masku Neurologic Rehabilitation Centre, PO Box 15, FIN-21251 Masku, Finland. anders.romberg@ms-liitto.fi
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To improve walking and other aspects of physical function with a progressive 6-month exercise program in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS: MS patients with mild to moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale scores 1.0 to 5.5) were randomly assigned to an exercise or control group. The intervention consisted of strength and aerobic training initiated during 3-week inpatient rehabilitation and continued for 23 weeks at home. The groups were evaluated at baseline and at 6 months. The primary outcome was walking speed, measured by 7.62 m and 500 m walk tests. Secondary outcomes included lower extremity strength, upper extremity endurance and dexterity, peak oxygen uptake, and static balance. An intention-to-treat analysis was used.

RESULTS: Ninety-one (96%) of the 95 patients entering the study completed it. Change between groups was significant in the 7.62 m (p = 0.04) and 500 m walk tests (p = 0.01). In the 7.62 m walk test, 22% of the exercising patients showed clinically meaningful improvements. The exercise group also showed increased upper extremity endurance as compared to controls. No other noteworthy exercise-induced changes were observed. Exercise adherence varied considerably among the exercisers.

CONCLUSIONS: Walking speed improved in this randomized study. The results confirm that exercise is safe for multiple sclerosis patients and should be recommended for those with mild to moderate disability.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15596746

Hi Mrs jitters,

Yes I believe exercise can worsen MS symptoms or even bring on an attack - but only if you are not used to it. So many people live sedentary lives and then suddenly resolve to start exercising. This is perfectly okay if you are young and healthy - but not if you have MS.

Most people agree that stress can bring on MS but studies show that physical stress can have the same effect as emotional stress. If your body and muscles are not accustomed to exercise, then it can place trememdous stress on the body. If you have been unable or unwilling to exercise for a while I would advise you return to "brisk walks" very gradually.

When anyone is unused to exercise they may get hot and even red faced quite easily - this is because the body is unused to controlling the heat (calorie release) caused by exercise. Many with MS find heat a problem.

If you have MS avoid being mentally OR physically run down at all costs, even if it is the end result of doing something you initially enjoy. I believe MS is linked to the herpes virus, which is famous for erupting when we are mentally or physically run down...but that's a different story.



gainsbourg

hey there,

maybe make sure you're hydrated - don't know if your case is the same but when i used to get headaches during exercise it was chronic dehydration.

you could be losing electrolytes while exercising, that are known to be low in ms patients. have you had all your bloodwork done and know you are not sitting in the ms part of the 'normal range' for the ms-relevant nutrients?

it would be interesting to see whether you could get rid of the headaches by upping your intake of magnesium. if your level is low similar to other ms patients, then even the relatively modest losses of magnesium in sweat could be problematic.