WHEN PEOPLE WITH MS become overly tired, or their bodies become overheated by exercise or a fever (caused, for example, by a viral or bacterial infection), they may experience what are called pseudoexacerbations. The episodes can feel like true attacks of MS because old symptoms may become more active - such as blurry vision or increased feelings of numbness or pins-and-needles. Or a new symptom may briefly rear its head. Unlike a true exacerbation, however, these symptoms disappear as soon as the body cools down again, usually lasting no more than an hour or two following intense exercise, or as long as the fever remains elevated.
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| Pseudoexacerbation Of Multiple Sclerosis |
These brief changes are thought to occur because an elevation in core body temperature interferes with nerve conduction, which disrupts the transfer of messages within the central nervous system that controls the body's normal feelings and functions. It is important for parents and children to realize that these pseudoexacerbations are not dangerous, and do not represent a change or increase in underlying disease activity. They are simply the body's way of announcing that it is overheated. Children who feel well enough to be active, participate in sports or other hobbies, and keep up with their friends, need to be encouraged to do so. Their bodies will tell them if they need to slow down for a little while. They can also learn various cooling strategies to use during sports activities or when the weather is very hot.
Dealing with Progressive Disease
IN THE ABSENCE of treatment, most people with MS are likely at some point to transition from a relapsing-remitting disease course to secondary-progressive (SP) MS. SPMS is generally characterized by steadier disease progression, with or without exacerbations. This progression can be relatively slow and uneventful for some, and more problematic for others.
The hope among MS experts is that the injectable, disease-modifying medications will help to delay this transition and/or reduce its impact. If at any point the physician decides that the injectable meal at on your child is taking no longer seems to be effective in managing the disease or slowing progression, there are other medications that can be prescribed.
Managing the Symptoms
ONE OF THE challenges of living with MS is that the symptoms it can cause are so varied - and so variable from one person to another. MS can cause fatigue, vision changes, stiffness, weakness, sensory problems such as numbness and tingling or pain, tremor, imbalance, changes in bladder or bowel function, changes in sexual function, emotional changes including mood swings and depression, and problems with thinking and memory.
Fortunately, most people do not experience all of these symptoms, and some may experience only a few of them. While no parent likes to think of a child having to deal with any of these problems, the good news is that there are a variety of strategies for managing them.
Recognizing What's MS and What's Not
THE LIST OF possible symptoms is so long that it is sometimes hard to figure out what is caused by MS and what is not. Having MS does not protect a child from the regular illnesses and injuries of childhood, and your child will look to you to help sort out what's what. Knowing the symptoms that MS can cause will help prepare you; your child's healthcare provider will want to know about any new symptoms, or changes in old symptoms, that last longer than a day or so.
For a detailed description of the various symptoms that can occur, you can read about them on the National MS Society website (www.nationalmssociety.org/symptoms.asp.) To find out more, you can check out Pseudoexacerbation Of Multiple Sclerosis.