Relapses, Exacerbation’s and Flares

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I was sitting on the couch watching TV with my then boyfriend, now husband, on a Thursday evening. I absentmindedly scratched my right leg and thought to myself “that feels a little funny”, but I went on with my evening and didn’t think anything else of it.
When I woke up Saturday morning, I couldn’t feel the entire right side of my body. I was having my first relapse. 

Relapses

Relapses can come in many forms, from not being able to feel parts of your body, to having significant weakness or fatigue, to not being able to see. Regardless of the symptom experienced, they all have one thing in common, they are downright terrifying. When some parts of your body that previously worked fine all of a sudden malfunction, no amount of knowledge can prepare you for that initial shock. Yes I knew what was happening, yes I knew what my next steps would be, but that didn’t make up for the fact that I couldn’t feel half of my body.
Relapses occur when there is active damage being done to the myelin coating the neurons. The specific neurons that are damaged will determine which symptoms are experienced. For example, damage on the optic nerve will cause optic neuritis and damage in the cerebellum may cause issues with balance and coordination. During a relapse there maybe one acute symptom present due to one spot of inflammation or several symptoms due to several spots of inflammation.  Symptoms must be present for at least 24 hours and at least 30 days after a previous relapse to be a true relapse.

Pseudo-Exacerbations

When I was first diagnosed, and learned about the concept of “having a relapse”, I thought oh that will be easy to tell when that’s happening. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. On top of my 3 actual relapses, there have been numerous situations where I thought I was having a relapse, but wasn’t. I experienced a new-ish symptom, and felt terrible, but no relapse.
There are several things that can contribute to a worsening of symptoms that do not include a relapse. This situation is called a “pseudo-exacerbation”, and can be brought on by heat, stress, fatigue and illness. A pseudo-exacerbation is a worsening of symptoms that is not caused by actual disease progression. Just because the word pseudo is used, doesn’t mean that anything about this is fake. These are actual symptoms, that are actually worse, they are just not caused by an actual relapse. Usually the symptoms subside when the trigger subsides. For example, when it’s super hot outside or if my body temp rises, my left leg gets really uncomfortable and starts to burn. But when I cool down, that feeling goes away.

Diagnostic?

So how do you know if it’s an actual relapse or not? The only definitive way to actually know (sorta) is by doing an MRI. When you do an MRI, with contrast, the active inflammation and spots of damage will show up. The spots are called “enhancing lesions”, these are the white spots that light up brightly on an MRI. However, MRIs are not perfect. You can still be having a relapse even if “enhancing lesions” do not show up. How frustrating is that!
Relapses can be a very scary event, especially if it’s your first one. During a relapse is a great time to make use of your support network and reach out and ask for help. This is not the time to be adding more to your plate or try to do everything. If you think you’re having a relapse, or are experiencing new symptoms, your best bet is to contact your doctor and discuss options.

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

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This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

20 5
Open
This is how I slowly helped myself the most: Making small changes to my life, * Intentional awareness to my morning * Noticing when I’m being mean to myself * Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight.. Some “small” ideas for you too: * don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go * drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too) * get up and move every hour * say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean * step outside for a few minutes a few times a day Small changes add up to big steps forward, don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”, they absolutely are. Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies? I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!! ...

20 5

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

26 4
Open
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals. You just have to show up. You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡 *after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna. ...

26 4

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

13 0
Open
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year. It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title. Did you see?? Pre Orders are open! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

13 0

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

31 3
Open
Struggling to start with exercise? Try this tip!! Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were. Because we’re trying to do something different after all. This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process. Become who you want to be in your mind first. Does this help? What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!! ...

31 3

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

33 15
Open
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS. This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey. It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better. ““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive” So… drumroll please… Pre orders are officially open!! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

33 15

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

32 2
Open
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass! This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!! You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park! Share with anyone who also might like this!!

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!! ...

32 2

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

22 0
Open
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments. But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too! This is rewiring your brain in action. You notice you’re doing something you always did, Then do something different. And boom! A new pathway is born. It needs some love and attention to grow, so keep practicing!

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing! ...

22 0

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

38 2
Open
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should. Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too? I see you. Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2! ...

38 2

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

16 1
Open
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!! Come on in… Let me show you around! This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends! Wanna join us? Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

16 1

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

32 9
Open
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you. Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment. But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments. Just a reminder. Keep going. ❤️

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️ ...

32 9

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately?

60 8
Open
Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶 Regulation is found in the micro moments. Which of these have you done lately?

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately? ...

60 8

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