MS Relapse: 6 Things To Do During A Flare-Up - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeMS Relapse: 6 Things to Do During a Flare-Up

Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Shane Murphy — Updated on April 7, 2022

Be prepared
Monitor symptoms
Contact your doctor
Treatment
Let people know
Understanding emotions
Takeaway

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be unpredictable. About 85 percent of people with MS are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), which is characterized by recurring relapses, or flare-ups, that can be triggered by things like fatigue, infections, and illnesses.

These relapses can last anywhere from a few days to several months and, depending on their severity, may be disruptive to your day-to-day life.

Beyond sticking to your treatment plan as prescribed and living a healthy lifestyle, there’s no proven way to completely prevent MS flare-ups. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take action.

These six strategies may help you to manage your symptoms and reduce your stress levels during a relapse.

woman on a phone call — Florence Goupil/Getty Images

1. Be prepared

The first step to managing a flare-up is to always be prepared in case one occurs. A good place to start is to make a list of important information like emergency contact numbers, medical history details, and current medications. Keep your list in an easily accessible place in your home.

Since MS relapses can affect your mobility, consider making transportation arrangements with trusted friends or family members in the event that you can’t drive due to the severity of symptoms.

Many public transit systems offer pickup and drop-off services for people with reduced mobility. It’s worth contacting your local transit service about the process for booking a ride.

2. Monitor your symptoms

A relapse can be minor or can have more severe symptoms. In some cases, especially if there are symptoms never felt before, you may need to go to the hospital.

Seek emergency care if you experience symptoms such as significant pain, vision loss, or greatly reduced mobility.

If you think you feel an MS flare-up beginning, take care to monitor your symptoms closely over the first 24 hours, if the symptoms are those you have experienced before. It’s helpful to make sure that what you’re experiencing is actually a relapse and not a subtler shift.

External factors like temperature, stress, lack of sleep, or infection can sometimes exacerbate symptoms in a way that feels similar to an MS flare-up. Try to stay mindful of any day-to-day fluctuations you’ve been experiencing in those areas.

Although the symptoms of an MS flare-up vary from person to person, some of the most common ones include:

fatigue
mobility issues
dizziness
trouble concentrating
bladder problems
blurry vision

If one or more of these symptoms is present for more than 24 hours, you may be having a relapse.

However, not all relapses require a hospital visit or even treatment. Minor sensory changes or increased fatigue may be signs of a relapse, but the symptoms can often be managed at home.

3. Contact your doctor

If you believe you’re having a relapse, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Even if your symptoms seem manageable and you don’t feel like you need medical attention, your doctor needs to know about every relapse to accurately monitor any MS activity and progression and to assess how well your MS medications are working.

It’s helpful to be able to answer key questions about your symptoms, including when they started, which parts of your body are affected, and how the symptoms are impacting your daily life.

Try to be as detailed as possible. Make sure to mention any major changes to your lifestyle, diet, or medication that your doctor may not know about.

4. Explore your treatment options

If the intensity of MS relapses has increased since your initial diagnosis, it may be useful to talk with your doctor about new treatment options. It’s also generally accepted that treating any new symptoms or exacerbation of symptoms can shorten the duration and prevent further nerve damage.

Some relapses are treated with a high dose course of corticosteroids, taken over a period of 3 to 5 days. These steroid treatments are typically administered in a hospital or infusion center.

In some cases, they can be taken at home. Plasma exchange may also be used if symptoms aren’t responding to steroids.

While corticosteroids can reduce the intensity and duration of a flare-up, they haven’t been shown to make a difference in the long-term progression of MS so far.

Restorative rehabilitation is another option that’s available regardless of whether or not you pursue steroid treatment.

Rehab programs aim to help you restore functions that are essential for daily life, such as mobility, fitness, work performance, and personal care. The members of your rehab team may include physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, or cognitive remediation specialists, depending on your symptoms.

If you’re interested in trying a rehab program, your doctor can refer you to other medical professionals for your specific needs.

5. Let people know

Once you’ve contacted your doctor, consider letting your friends and family know that you’re experiencing a relapse. Your symptoms may mean that you need to change some of your social plans or support needs.

If you need assistance with any household tasks or transit accommodations, don’t be afraid to ask. Sometimes people feel embarrassed about asking for help, but your loved ones will likely want to support you in any way that they can.

If you work, it can also be useful to inform your employer that you’re experiencing a relapse, especially if your performance at work might be affected. If possible, taking time off, working from home, or restructuring your break times may help you balance your career responsibilities with your health.

»MORE:Join Bezzy, a free MS community. With Bezzy, you're never alone.

6. Understand your emotions

An MS flare-up can be a source of stress and complicated emotions. Symptoms like fatigue can affect quality of life and cause feelings of sadness or depression.

People sometimes feel angry about the situation, scared for the future, or worried about how the condition affects relationships with others. If you’re experiencing any of these responses, remind yourself that the feelings will pass with time.

Mindfulness exercises like deep breathing and meditation can be effective ways to manage stress and anxiety. Local community centers and yoga studios often offer classes, or you can try guided medications through podcasts or smartphone apps. Even taking a few minutes to sit quietly and focus on your breathing may help.

Taking time to rest, caring for yourself, and getting some activity in your day can all help you feel better physically and emotionally. Your doctor can help you determine how much rest and how much activity for which to aim based on your symptoms and mood.

They can also direct you to counseling services if you start to feel overwhelmed by your emotions. Talking about your feelings with someone impartial can provide a new perspective on things.

Takeaway

Although you can’t predict an MS flare-up, you can take steps to be ready for changes in your condition. Remember that you’re not alone.

Aim to build a trusting relationship with your doctor so that you feel comfortable discussing any changes in your condition right away.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bazi A, et al. (2021). Efficacy and safety of oral prednisolone tapering following intravenous methyl prednisolone in patients with multiple sclerosis relapses: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211034820307148
Ciccone A, et al. (2008). Corticosteroids for the long-term treatment in multiple sclerosis.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18254098/
Developing a healthcare team. (n.d.).https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Comprehensive-Care/Developing-a-health-care-team
Kamel FO, et al. (2019). Factors involved in relapse of multiple sclerosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6753697/
Managing relapses. (2019).https://www.mstrust.org.uk/about-ms/ms-symptoms/managing-relapses
Managing relapses. (n.d.).https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Managing-Relapses
Marrodan M, et al. (2021). Therapeutic plasma exchange in MS refractory relapses: Long-term outcome.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34332460/
Multiple sclerosis: Hope through research. (2021).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Multiple-Sclerosis-Hope-Through-Research
Puhlmann LMC, et al. (2021).https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Fulltext/2021/10000/Contemplative_Mental_Training_Reduces_Hair.10.aspx
Relapsing-remitting MS. (n.d.).https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Types-of-MS/Relapsing-remitting-MS
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. (n.d.).https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/multiple-sclerosis-ms/relapsing-remitting-multiple-sclerosis

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Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Shane Murphy — Updated on April 7, 2022

MS Relapse: 6 Things To Do During A Flare-Up - Healthline

1. Be prepared

2. Monitor your symptoms

3. Contact your doctor

4. Explore your treatment options

5. Let people know

6. Understand your emotions

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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