Relapse already?

Diseases & Conditions Multiple Sclerosis
1
Hi all,
 
I hope everyone is doing okay today.  As most of you know, I was diagnosed in April after having symptoms for a very short time.  I have been feeling hopeful as my left arm/hand numbness has finally been subsiding, it's about 60% better.  My neuro kept saying "wait", and she was right... apparently it can take even up to a year for some symptoms to ease.  
 
However, the last couple days I now have numbness spreading down my right arm, where I had none before. confused    I guess this is a new relapse?  I'm scared of what I'll wake up with tomorrow morning... and if it will ever go away.  Being a long weekend, there is no one I can call.
 
With a lifelong anxiety disorder, MS has got to be one of the worst diseases to get because it's so unpredictable.  I'm trying so hard to stay positive for my boyfriend who is battling his own chronic illness, and his Mom who is very ill right now and has no one but us to take care of her.  I guess I will learn soon how strong I really am, or the impending nervous breakdown I feel will tell me it's too much.
 
Thanks for listening
Shar   
2
I'm sorry. Indeed, it could be a new relapse starting. Or perhaps just a numbness, reminding you that you do have a chronic illness. You should call your doctor when you can, to report it, especially if it worsens -- extends further down your arm, or appears elsewhere.

Yes, the unpredictability of MS is a challenge for us all.

...I am not a doctor, nor health professional, and don't pretend to be one, here.....

3

Hi Shar,  I am so sorry your going through so much and have so many things to worry about.  When you have anxiety and then discover you have an illness such as this it is most hard to cope with.  Not only the physical interruptions that your body is going through but the mental ones as well.  The only thing I can say from my own experience is stress and anxiety regarding "what ifs" can increase your physical symptoms.  I just try to take one day at a time, and even sometimes one hour at a time as I can look beyond that without making myself crazy... :-)

Please post and let us know how your feeling and I hope it gets better for you real soon...Take care

Elisha

http://www.healingwell.com/donate


 

4

Thank you both for your replies.

I called the nurse at my MS clinic and she thinks it is a relapse, and to call if it gets worse.  I have a feeling the relapse must be stress related as it's been crazy around here, and I've been overdoing it.  A few nights ago my boyfriend got some numbness in his face and we ended up at the hospital... sad   we think now it was an allergic reaction.  We seem to take turns with our ailments like a messed up game of ping pong (he has kidney disease and is on home dialysis). 

I am supposed to be going back to work sometime this month, but now this relapse is making me think twice, and am still waiting to see a psychiatrist to get my head under control before I do.  Meanwhile his mom is suffering from malnutrition and crohns disease and is not well.  UGH.  I keep thinking things HAVE to get better at somepoint... we are living in an absolute pigsty, and neither of us has the energy to do anything about it, and I'm too anxious to have someone come in.  I want to go home and see my family for my well-being, but don't want to leave my boyfriend alone trying to rescue his mother from this downhill slide when he's not well himself.  I wish someone could come and take care of us for a while, or take care of her at least and get her to eat! sad

I thought 10 minutes on the exercise bike we have might help something, now both my legs have been vibrating for the past hour.  I hope that isn't a bad thing. confused

Anyway, thanks for listening to me vent.... I keep thinking of that saying.. when you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.. I hope I made the knot tight enough!! yeah

Shar