Multiple Sclerosis Arm Relapse Recovery 21 months later..

Relapses are all part of Multiple Sclerosis, but what happens when you have a relapse that lasts for months or even years?!! The answer is not really simple - it wasn't in my case any way. Initially no-one even suspected that it was a relapse, I had test upon test which came back suggesting that there was nothing wrong until eventually after about 10 months my symptoms pointed towards a MS relapse.
The symptoms were PAIN!! sensory loss, feeling like my arm was on fire and just basically having a left arm that was incapable of doing anything. It was hard going.
This video is for anyone out there who might be going through something similar because I know how difficult it feels at times (if not all of the time) but there is hope at the end of the tunnel and in my experience I have seen it twice now. Experience tells me that there is hope so that is what I must believe.
I hope this video helps you in some way , even small. My mission is to share as much information with you as I have learnt over these past 13 years to help anyone going through similar things with their MS.

[@lauraironstalksms]

When a relapse seems to go on forever and you can't see the wood for the trees.. Just know that it can get easier with time and a little patience. This video is the last update I'll do on my arm, but I'm hoping that it will help to encourage anyone going through any difficult time with their relapses to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel 🧡

[@Salvatore-1980]

Hello Laura...Yes, I'm learning that one thing about MS (good or bad) is the DAMN waiting game.😟 It so draining mentally and physically. We have really try to keep a positive attitude and not let MS get the best of us. (You seem to be doing that very well) Also I've read that sometimes a relapse is not always shown on a mri.😒 On a positive note, Im happy to hear about the issues with your hand are improving.👏👍 Also I wish you the best of luck on going back to work in whatever job you choose! 👍😘

[@lauraironstalksms]

Hey! Oh yes this waiting game is such a pain and yes like you said so draining. That is true that a relapse is not always shown on an MRI, this was the case with my relapse now or maybe it wasn't caught in time, who knows? Thank you very much! I applied for a job on Sunday, and I have an interview today! Wish me luck 😊🍀 hope you are keeping well and having a lovely day

[@johna9543]

Honestly you are the 1st person I’ve seen on KZbin who experienced any problem connected with MS & the arm. I was diagnosed in 2001 after pins and needles started in my left sided index finger and travelled up to my head over a 2 week period. Doctors kept telling me I was stressed but the stressing thing was that happening. My left hand went claw and unable to use which resulted in being sent straight to hospital. 2 weeks in hospital il never forget. Scary being age 20 and that happening. Diagnosed 2 weeks before my 21st birthday. Sent me in wild depression and loss of hope. Wasn’t funded by the nhs then so felt I was just thrown out to the world to deal with it. Took me 2 years to normalise, if that’s the right wording. My arm remained numb and I had to learn to use it over again. Hand still feels like it has an invisible tight glove from the wrist down. 2019 go through another event for the 1st time since. Flashback of it starting over again but didn’t worsen like the 1st time. Started going through some extreme vertigo. Referred again by the docs to a neurologist. Referred in July 2019, April 2020 was my 1st contact with a neurologist by telephone. Pandemic lockdowns just began. Doc said my medical records were missing and that I would have to go through the process of being diagnosed over. The world was so confusing to me. Lost hope again, went into a depression waiting. Self medicated by starting to smoke weed for the 1st time in over 10 years. It’s all I could do and felt like it was better than drinking myself to death during lockdown. Earlier this year get told my medical records were found again. It brought real hope Things haven’t worsened which was a peace of mind. Just something I’ve refused to accept to myself for 20 years but I thought things could be worsening was in the back of my mind. This year has been me learning about it all for real this time & accepting it. I start physio in October now so things are moving forward for sure this time. Was stuck in a long dark tunnel and now im seeing light. I’ve totally quit the weed. Probably wasn’t helping in reflection but I was numbing out the disconnection I had from everything. I lost a lot that last time in the process. Job, dog died, seperation from the Mrs. I moved back in with my mum age 40, how embarrassing lol. Relationship with the Mrs is healing, she’s stuck by me but we have been living apart, staying together twice a week like teenagers. We love each other but I know I’ve been going through some shit I need to come to terms with. She knows, part of our relationship I’ve never spoke about with her me having MS. Sometimes you just feel alone in the world. 2020 was supposed to be my healing but the world was sick and I was bottom of the list. 2022 will be my new year things ‘normalise’. You lose goals in life going through these burdens. I’ve never cried so much as an adult. Now my tears are of happiness. I can’t believe I’ve made it. Things aren’t over but im in a better place. Sleeping routines are a mess but it’s something il overcome All I can say to anybody is stay strong, things get hard but they don’t get worse even if it feels that way. It’s a lonely place to be but there’s people there if u can connect and accept yourself. I’m Scottish so must be something in the water that makes you stubborn. It’s not cool being open about your feelings as a man but people must learn to realise or forever become lost and disconnected. Now I can talk about things so that’s a step. Baby steps, don’t lose hope yourself. Something very positive you’ve done just doing some videos for other people ❤️ subscribed & il work my way through your channel back catalogue 👍 be safe

[@lauraironstalksms]

Hi John, thank you so much for taking the time to write and share bits of your story with us. You are so right, it's difficult being open with our feelings and especially as there is a stereotypical way that a man is 'supposed' to deal with his feelings and emotions. I do think that you get disconnected from society that way though and if we don't talk we don't help our emotional self evolve. Talking doesn't help with the pain, but it can help share to experiences and maybe others have solutions to help. Yes I've not seen many other videos of people who have upper limb issues but I know that there are many people out there who do and are suffering! These videos are to hopefully help, like you there wasn't any support or help around me when I was diagnosed and as you said it can be such a scary and lonely place. It sounds like you have been working though things slowly and you are in a better place now it definitely all takes time and I think time to learn and understand your own MS. Thank you for joining my channel too and good luck with everything

[@heathermyronyk3134]

Thanks for mentioning me! I couldn't believe what I was hearing at first, so touching to hear! Thanks Laura. I still can't get over that we were both diagnosed in 2008, I was ok for 11 years too then had increase lesion activity in 2019, then got hit with a major attack June 2020 in my left hand/arm that I'm still reeling from. It's been one year. Thank you for your encouragement 🙏 One day at a time that's for sure. You said some great things "less pain snd less discomfort equals less mental problems", isn't that the truth! If kids were facing the exact same issues, they wouldn't be expected to be ok, yet somehow as adults we are. Also "you can do more than your imagination thinks it can". That's the truth too! I think I'm never going to get through the day, and the next thing I am - it's almost better not to listen to the self-doubt, fear, catastrophizing the immediate future and major frustration and worry.

[@lauraironstalksms]

Hi Heather 😊 I've been thinking about you and everytime I have a struggle with my arm I think I wonder how you are doing? I also kind of thought that in one video I was complaining of pain in my arm and the next I was juggling oranges 😂 but honestly, it's kind of the way it went. I'm praying that it will 'come right' for you too and that your body will keep pushing through the repair and healing process because I know what you are going through. Sounds stupid really, but I never knew how much I am dependant on my arms /hands. I can't believe how crazily close in comparison our stories are! You are so right in what you say about kids, and deep down we have a childlike side and we get scared too and want support and guidance. People just think we can suck it up, that's why I have evolved a strong mental attitude otherwise I wouldn't get through half of it. You can get through it, you've already proved a year. Have faith the body and mind is absolutely incredible 🧡

[@heathermyronyk3134]

@@lauraironstalksms That's how it goes, one minute you're begging for mercy and the next minute you're juggling oranges (not that I'm juggling oranges but I know what you mean, I just figured you were doing it with pain and dysfunction). I agree with you that the body is fascinating, but it is also unfascinating how it can almost destroy you, the inflammation is so powerful it can give your CNS the same injury as your hand getting slammed in a car door or runover by something. This makes me wary of trusting it, but I hear you! It's the ultimate test of the human spirit, to have faith in something that fails and is so utterly complex. We are a society built around achievements, success and just set your mind to it. But this is a whole other story.. and a test of tenacity at its best.

[@lauraironstalksms]

I love what you write, it gives me such a different view point on things. Like I've never thought of it being something so powerful to inflict the injuries you mentioned but you are right, it is like that but without having or being involved in the accident. I know exactly what you are saying about the trust thing, hence the negative speak I always give myself about it never getting better but if I don't have tenacity or faith I'm afraid my MS will always win and I don't want to be in that position. It is absolutely the ultimate test of human spirit, it's the biggest test that I've ever been through but then I think to myself if I can get through this, then I can get through pretty much anything life has to throw my way.

[@heathermyronyk3134]

@@lauraironstalksms you are right, it's the biggest test I've been through too. I sometimes think of people who were born with these health challenges, how do they do it? I'm pretty sure they'd have some neat lessons to share. For us its the shock if witnessing it happen, grieving the loss, trying to adapt, and the strange chance it could get better. Perhaps that's what makes it so much more challenging? The pressure that you could influence the outcome but may not. Isn't that a definition if insanity? You keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Well, folks that is a CNS and spinal cord injury. Give us the strength to keep doing it over and over and hope for a different outcome 🙏 and the tenacity to keep going regardless.

[@lauraironstalksms]

The pressure that you can influence the outcome but may not.. That surely is a definition of insanity! And we are doing it - does that mean I'm a bit insane?! Sometimes I think it.. Yes give us all the strength and let us all have the best outcome possible 💙🙏

[@velociraptorwolf447]

Hi there. I have the same diagnosis of MS as you. RRMS, I have had x3 relapses in the last 12 months. Each one has significantly effected my eyesight. The first two relapses lasted around a month and the third about three months. I have not experienced and physical relapses like you have. I think I may be ready to tell my story, if you remember I chickened out earlier this year.

[@lauraironstalksms]

Hey, there is no such thing as chickening out. It's a big deal sharing your story especially when maybe you are still dealing with coming to terms with some aspects of your MS. The eyesight thing is bad enough and scary so that is still difficult to go through. You've just gone onto your ocrevus treatment haven't you? Maybe it would also be good to share that. But whenever you want, no pressure I'm here not going anywhere

[@velociraptorwolf447]

@@lauraironstalksms Yes I have had my two half bags of Ocrevus. I do not really feel any better but also not any worse either. It is difficult coming to terms with my MS diagnosis. I have started CBD oil a few days ago, in the hope it will help somewhat. Ignorance is bliss with me im affraid. My wife tends to read up about it and then gives me the less icky and disturbing parts. I think I would like to share my story, I do actually enjoy talking about what has happened to me so far. Like a badge of honour so to speak.

[@lauraironstalksms]

Not feeling any worse has got to be a bonus. Let me know how you get on with the CBD oil I've heard lots of good things about it but never tried it myself (except for munching on the smallest piece of chocolate) yep, talking is good, it's been my best medication to date 😊

[@irenerebollomesa5797]

Thank you for sharing ❤️. So helpful.

[@lauraironstalksms]

You're welcome 🧡

[@Wholeplantfoods_Lucie]

Thank you for this perspective. I have known instinctually this is true but the waiting raises doubt!

[@lauraironstalksms]

I hope it was of some help to you 🧡

[@brucevecranges6438]

Hello hope you're well may I ask did you take any pain medication thanks from Melbourne

[@lauraironstalksms]

Hello Bruce, I hope you are well too. Initially no-one knew what my arm issue was and because it happened just before Covid, my MS had suspended seeing people so at first it was diagnosed as tendinitis. When it was finally diagnosed as a MS Relapse 10 months later, I was prescribed pregabalin but after one tablet the side effects were horrible for me so I stopped them right away. They switched me to Gabapentin for the pain relief but again the side effects were too much and I come off them. I went through the whole 21 months medication free, possibly if the right medication agreed with me it wouldn't have been so painful but who knows!? I think the body recovers over time, I just took so much longer as I didn't take any medication.

[@brucevecranges6438]

@@lauraironstalksms thank you