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MONTHLY MUSINGS
Flare. Exacerbation. Attack. Acute episode. These are a few of the different terms used to describe a multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse—which can last anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks to even months.
MS isn’t the only condition that has exacerbations, however. This pattern is also common with fibromyalgia (FM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, IBS, depression and more. Just check out all the threads tagged with either “flares” or “relapses” across the forum.
How do you get through an attack? In a recent discussion in the MS forum, suggestions included lots of rest, watching movies, a pinch of good humor, letting go of guilt, accepting help, pacing yourself, having easy-to-prepare food on hand, talking to your doctor and trusting that “this too shall pass.”
And in the FM forum, one patient has shared her unique trick: a “bad day box” full of uplifting items.
Got your own coping techniques? The forum is all ears.
– Kate, Emma, Liz, Jeanette & Sharry
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What’s happening in the forum? Check out some of the recent threads about flare-ups below. Then jump in with your own questions and answers.
- The link between flares and weather changes (FM/CFS/ME Room)
- Off meds for surgery – will I have an RA flare-up? (Immune Room)
- Having a major flare today and can’t leave work (FM/CFS/ME Room)
- MS, pregnancy and the possibility of relapse (PatientsLikeMe Room)
- I’m newly diagnosed. How long can a FM flare last? (FM/CFS/ME Room)
Need help with something on the site? Visit the PatientsLikeMe Site Help Room for answers from veteran members.
LABS, LABS AND MORE LABS
Things have gotten a lot more lab-tastic at PatientsLikeMe. Thanks to your requests and suggestions, we now offer some 200+ labs to help you monitor your health conditions. Here’s a sampling of some of the new labs and tests you can add to your profile:
- Vitamin B12
- Total Testosterone
- Breast Cancer Gene 1 & 2
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
- Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance (LP-IR)
- Bone Mineral Density Test (T-score & Z-score)
- Levetiracetam Blood Levels
- Hand Grip Strength Test
- JC Virus Antibody
Wondering about another lab? Search for it here.
Many thanks to Jeri Burtchell for her post and blog about her speaking part at the conference in Boston earlier this year. It was a surprise to learn that panic attacks can be classed as MS ‘relapses’. A few years ago, completely out of the blue, I began having panic attacks and never knew why. What she said about her own panic attacks has alerted me to the fact that I wasn’t going mad and can blame MS for yet another example of what a nuisance it can be.
Thanks Jeri – I’m sure your talk at the conference was well received, your post and blog most certainly were!! BTW – you and I began our MS journey at about the same time as each other, 1998/1999.
Take care, love and regards to all who read this post.
Marie, aka Squirrel Nutkins