How long does a multiple sclerosis episode usually last? Weeks? Months?

Question

I know there are so many variations and everyone is different. But what is a typical episode like?

Answer 1

As with everything involved with MS, an episode (or attack or exacerbation) can be just as varied as its symptoms and how it affects each individual.
There are different types of MS as well. A person with relapsing-remitting will have clear relapses (exacerbations) followed by a period of remittance, where the symptoms mostly clear up. A person with primary progressive will not experience the exacerbations, but instead experiences a steady worsening of the disease and their symptoms.
An MS exacerbation is defined as the appearance of new or recurring symptoms that last more than 24 hours. For instance, my MS exacerbations have been mainly numbness in certain areas of my body. These particular episodes have generally cleared up within three weeks. Some physicians will prescribe a steroid treatment during an exacerbation to make the inflammation go away faster.
When I had optic neuritis, it took about two weeks for the blind spot and the pain in my eye to clear up. However, I was left with a deficit in my color vision, where everything was a little more dull when viewed just through the eye that was affected by the optic neuritis and that took about 10 months to clear up.
Sometimes a patient can experience a "pseudo" exacerbation, usually brought on by the heat. If you begin to experience symptoms, such as numbness or paralysis, after being outdoors or exercising, get to a cooler place. Drink a cold drink and rest. If these symptoms clear up on their own in a few hours, it was not a true exacerbation.
I wish there was a guideline to refer you to but that's just part of the inconsistencies with living with MS.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How long does a multiple sclerosis episode usually last? Weeks? Months?
I know there are so many variations and everyone is different. But what is a typical episode like?

Answer 3

there is no usual/typical episodes. Some have said a few days of COMPLETE misery, others mild symptoms for several months depending on how long the attack . My mother is progressive. But in my childhood, I rarely saw her "down for more than a few days at a time. She never gained what she lost during those attacks, but she would even out and find a new normal. Plus the pain or issues during an attack would stop, or let up, but left her weaker or less strong. Hers would plateau for long period and drop to lowering levels of functioning for many many years, before it became as bad as it is now. I was wondering how long the actual blindness lasted for people? For most, the visual issues are the first real marker of this disease, so I wonder if a short attack of blindness might only be a day? parts of a day for several days? I know my own mother had blindness, and it passed but I don t think she can remember the details now.

Answer 4

Multiple sclerosis is one of the most debilitating and discouraging conditions anyone can have. Waking up day after day knowing you are stricken with MS that gradually drags you, healthy young person, toward chronic illness and maybe shorter life. Suddenly you no longer expect to enjoy many of life's greatest experiences. The inside story on Dr. Gary remarkable Multiple Sclerosis cure

Read on to discover what really causes your multiple sclerosis!

Answer 5

Ms Episodes

Answer 6

I was just diagnosed 4 months ago after my second episode. In the second one, I went blind in my left eye...it took about 10 weeks, but my sight eventually crept back. I think the episodes can vary depending on where and how the symptoms manifest...

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

There is no limit. Everyone is different.
My mother had and basically kept getting worse. People have remissions for weeks, years or months, it depends on what type they have.

Answer 9

I dont know if they are diagnosed by episodes. My husband is an Epileptic when he has a seizure it last about 3-5 minutes. MS is different I belive, and once you have it, you have it for life, there are meds they can give you to help you. You need to talk to your doctor regarding this to get the appropiate answer you are looking for, not on answers. You may try webmd.com, or try googling MS and research it.