How do I distinguish b/w a relapse and flair/new symptom

[FindingAnswersMaccy]

Please help me understand how do I distinguish b/w a relapse and flair/new symptom

[FearlessMsMimi]

I have been told and from my own experience, relapse or a flair may be considered the same if the issues return to the same location. Like my right leg pulls and get very painful when I’m having a relapse or a flair. A new exacerbation would cause issues in a location that you haven’t had before. Like optic neuritis, or a limb going numb and staying numb. I have permanent damage on the balls of my feet that I have no feeling on them.

[twooldcrows]

i think they are the same but if last longer than several days then it is something to worry about ...not sure ...ask the MS society ...

[kdali]

If it lasts more than 24hrs then it's call your MD worthy. My issue with this a few times has been that symptoms improve with rest, but happens again for days until something new joins in. Very confusing, but I let my MD sort it out.

[NorasMom]

Anything new that keeps coming back after a period of rest. I realized my last relapse was occurring when I developed numbness in new parts of my body. I'd change positions, it would go away, and then it would come right back.

I want to say that getting IV steroid treatment within 2 weeks will stop the relapse in its tracks. If you wait longer than that, you just have to ride it out. Hopefully, you have a good doctor who takes you seriously.

[Tazmanian]

My neurologist has prescribed me a dose pack of methylprednisolone in case of a relapse

[NorasMom in reply to Tazmanian]

I'm envious. Mine told me he wouldn't "keep" prescribing steroids for me. I've only ever used them once!

[Tazmanian in reply to NorasMom]

I have been on iv steroids 3 times and oral steroids 3 times I guess he got tired of me telling him about problems after the fact

[Frances_B]

"Relapses" and "flairs/flares" are basically the same thing, so is an "exacerbation". You will find this article useful:

msfocusmagazine.org/Magazin...

A "new" symptom is one you haven't experienced previously - check the information on the many MS organisation websites - they will have info on how to decide if you need to call your doctor or go to the emergency department at your local hospital. With an identified relapse steroids are not used as often as they used to be because of the better knowledge about how even relatively limited use of the high doses used in MS can result in some of the bad side effects such as avascular necrosis of the hip. Neuros who are still handing steroids out like sweets need to get their practices up to date, especially as clinical studies have shown that steroids can shorten the duration of a relapses, but they don't actually make any difference to the amount of damage that relapse may have caused.

[NorasMom]

Basically, yes. I started getting unusual numb patches in my legs and arms while I was sitting at my computer. Get up, move around a bit, they go away. Sit down again, and they come back. I thought it might be the chair, so I tried different things, including laying down. It was always the same result. This was a different numbness than I'd had before and in new parts of my body, so after about a week of this I realized it was a relapse.

I've had no issues with those things since getting IV steroids.