First of all, 20 years is a long road — and finally having a clear answer, even if it's bittersweet, can bring some relief. It's completely understandable to want to know what a relapse actually looks and feels like.
A relapse (also called a flare-up or exacerbation) is when new symptoms appear, or existing ones get Show Full Answer
First of all, 20 years is a long road — and finally having a clear answer, even if it's bittersweet, can bring some relief. It's completely understandable to want to know what a relapse actually looks and feels like.
A relapse (also called a flare-up or exacerbation) is when new symptoms appear, or existing ones get noticeably worse, lasting more than 24 hours — and occurring at least 30 days after any previous episode. It's not just a "bad day."
Relapses typically:
- Develop gradually over 24 to 48 hours
- Reach their worst point within a few days
- Can last days, weeks, or even months
- Look different from person to person — and even from one relapse to the next Common signs that something may be a relapse include:
- New numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Vision changes
- Balance or coordination problems
- Increased fatigue beyond your usual baseline
- Cognitive changes like memory or thinking difficulties
- Muscle spasms
One MyMSTeam member shared, "My relapses sort of creep up on me slowly, making it difficult to know if it's a relapse or not." So you're definitely not alone in finding it tricky to identify.
It's worth noting that a temporary worsening of symptoms due to heat, stress, or infection is called a pseudo-relapse — and it usually resolves within 24 hours once the trigger is addressed. A true relapse is caused by new inflammation in the central nervous system, not an outside trigger.
If new or worsening symptoms last more than 24 hours, reaching out to your neurologist is always the right move. They can help determine whether it's a true relapse and discuss next steps.
April 25
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