Does a relapse/attack always cause a new lesion?
If you have a flare up, which I'm thinking means your existing symptoms get worse, does it always show up by leaving a new "lesion". Or is it just that the pre-existing symptom just gets worse due to something, like weather, or stress, or sickness, etc?
Funny, I don't recall "flare" being used for MS relapses/symptoms when I was DX in 1990, verbage, but it can mean either, new lesion or more destruction and axon death of already affected area. Most of my attacks (oh, see, I use "attack,") were of areas that had bothered me before, weak left leg, stars in eyes, and those attacks could be stopped by moving to a cooler room or resting the area. Now, after 19yrs DX, the same areas are the same---weak left leg, contracted fingers, loss of sensations. The inflammation has supposedly calmed down and the symptoms live on. Vague answer but it isn't so cut and dry.
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No, old nerve damage can be attacked again. This is what I have seen. But only looking inside can tell you for sure. Heat, illness, stress can all exaccerbate symptoms, but get cool, relax and heal, with RR you should improve.
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glowing4times
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 06:43 AM
Lisa Emrich
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 02:58 PM
In answer to your question, no, lesions and relapses do not always correlate. You can have a relapse, undergo an MRI, and not find anything new. Conversely, you could undergo a series of MRIs and see lesions come and go, but never experience new symptoms or a relapse. This is something my neurologist often says. With MS, nothing is one-hundred percent predictable and explainable.
No, old nerve damage can be attacked again. This is what I have seen. But only looking inside can tell you for sure. Heat, illness, stress can all exaccerbate symptoms, but get cool, relax and heal, with RR you should improve.
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No, old nerve damage can be attacked again. This is what I have seen. But only looking inside can tell you for sure. Heat, illness, stress can all exaccerbate symptoms, but get cool, relax and heal, with RR you should improve.
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I will say one more thing, just throw it out there (and PS, glad you are better), an MRI only shows damage to brain and spine, ALL your nerves are at risk and the demyelation can be anywhere from your toes to your boes. (Yep, a word I made up, but use frequently.) Since it resolved fairly fast, it probably was just an over heated or T-cell slapped wire, er, nerve. I used to keep a map of body nerves on my wall. Came in handy, I could almosr guess exactly where my "issue" was. WWF goes on inside us now and then. LOL Now if only I could figure out what part of my braid can spell, or in my case NOT spell. (But I HAVE "spells" does that count? LOL Take care!
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glowing4times
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Thanks I am so glad I'm better! That was the scarriest episode I've had to date. I'm learning more here than I am with my doctor. I like my doctor but this disease has so many facets to it and the doc only has so much time to be with you, there's no way I can ask everything! So thanks again for responding to me.
I had about 4-6 weeks where I couldn't walk, was very weak, and very depressed. Normally the MS is on my right side but I seemed to be weak all over. I did have an MRI of my cervix b/c my neurologist thought if there was any new activity this is where it would show up. But no new "spots" or enhancing of old ones. So I'm guessing I had an attack, which didn't show up on the MRI? I'm much better now, I can now walk with my cane in and around the house, but if I go outside for shopping or anything I tire easily and have to use a wheelchair. So that's why I asked if I really had an MS attack, or flare up b/c it didn't show up as a new lesion or an enhancement of older spots. Thanks for responding!