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TN relapse

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
London, UK

In February when I was 6 months postpartum I suffered TN MS relapse. It faded away about Mid-May but not entirely disappeared but I understood I was on the trajectory of recovery Last night in Early July my TN pain returned like it was in the beginning almost. This morning it has abated but I can't put my teeth together. The symptoms I have been having in recovery is facial pain and tension headaches which I think is the TN manifesting itself like that as the nerves heal. Why did this happen… read more

July 8
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A MyMSTeam Member

Hello @A MyMSTeam Member 👋 it can take a few months to recover from a relapse, especially postpartum due to hormones. Hang in there 🤗💜

July 8
A MyMSTeam Member

No it is the same relapse. I never achieved full recovery. It was slow but improving but last night gave me my worst pain in 2 months. I believe I have been recovering already for two months. How long can recovery last?

July 8
MyMSTeam

What you're experiencing sounds really exhausting, especially with a baby in the mix. The fluctuating pattern you're describing — improving, then flaring back up, then improving again — is actually recognized in MS recovery.

Relapses don't always follow a clean, straight path to recovery. Nerve healing is slow and uneven Show Full Answer

What you're experiencing sounds really exhausting, especially with a baby in the mix. The fluctuating pattern you're describing — improving, then flaring back up, then improving again — is actually recognized in MS recovery.

Relapses don't always follow a clean, straight path to recovery. Nerve healing is slow and uneven, and symptoms can temporarily worsen before settling down again. This is sometimes called a "pseudo-flare," where existing nerve damage causes symptoms to resurface, often triggered by:

- Fatigue or poor sleep (hello, new parenthood 👋)
- Stress
- Heat or temperature changes
- Hormonal shifts (postpartum hormones can fluctuate for months) The fact that last night's pain abated by morning is actually an encouraging sign — it suggests your nervous system is still in recovery mode rather than a full new relapse.

However, since your symptoms returned significantly and you're having difficulty closing your teeth, it's really important to contact your neurologist soon. They can help determine whether this is:

- Continued recovery fluctuation from the February relapse
- A new relapse requiring treatment As for "when will it stop" — recovery timelines vary widely from person to person. The good news is that your 15-year history with mild MS and no disability is a meaningful indicator of your resilience. Many people do achieve meaningful recovery, though it can take months.

Be gentle with yourself. Rest, stay cool, manage stress where possible, and lean on your care team. You're not imagining the ups and downs — they're real, and they're part of this process.

July 8

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