Having A Flare Up! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[ProfessorGAC]

MS really kicked into overdrive the last day and a half. Pain in my legs has hit 9.5 on the "i can't stand it" scale. Wrists, back of hands, and both little fingers feel like i've stuck them in a light socket.

Nothing we can do, i guess. Just wanted to complain in empathetic company.
The Professor

[SiouxJ]

1. Complaint recorded ;-)

and acknowledged. Sorry Professor. I've heard that changing seasons, especially winter to spring and summer to fall, can trigger flares in MS. I used to always have my flares this time of year - right around March/April. Since on the meds, I haven't had any (knocking on wood here).

Here's hoping your flare is a short-lived one. Feel free to complain all you want ;-) .

As an interesting side note, it dawned on me yesterday that it was the 5 year anniversary of my diagnosis. I'm doing so much better now than I was then and I never thought that would be the case, so it is worth noting.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Ten Years For Me This Month

I got mine on the day McVeigh blew up the Murrah Building. I took a sick day to stay home by the phone and get the call. About one hour after all the commotion took place in OKC, i got my call. Pretty easy to remember the day, given the confluence of events.
The Professor

[SiouxJ]

3. That's quite a marker. Mine, well I remember hearing

that is was David Cassidy's 50th birthday that day (April 12, 2000). I remember feeling quite resentful that he hit 50 and was still healthy, while I was only 35 and just found out this. Funny the thoughts that run through your mind when you are told something like that.

[deek]

4. My trick:

Begin the countdown to the end of the day: "Only 10 hours until this day is done....only 9 hours until this day is done..."

Usually I find this mantra helps me realize I can sustain those hours. It helps override my inner ("I can't take this. I'm going to feel rotten forever.") voice.

Empatheic vibes to you, professor.

[mr blur]

5. My full sympathy...

My latest flare up has been going since the beginning of December, which is a record for me and quite disturbing because I feel that when it dies down I won't get back to the stage I was at before this one, or anywhere near it. God, I miss driving. And walking, for that matter.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Thanks Everyone. And An Update

The pain in my hands went away last night. The legs are still on fire and heavy as heck, but at least the hands feel better. The hand thing was really worrying me, since i play piano and guitar and do a lot of work at a computer keyboard. I'm less freaked out now!

Thanks for the empathy.
The Professor