@EllieSmith 

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EllieSmith

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So I had the varicella vaccine 5weeks ago and the previous on 6weeks before that. Well first dose was okay. Definitely had a small flare of symptoms a few days. But second time round. Straight away very unwell. (The nurse isbbejgn very careful as to what she's saying so that really worries me that they're just pushing towards starting the next DMD rather than helping much with the issues). Anyways.. After a week on time come a flair. Drop foot both feet, gladly inahve enough energy to atleast lift my right leg when I walk(most days not all) where I can't lift my left at all when I walk. Fatigue is most definitely through the roof, days spent just in a haze of pain trying to stay awake. (My baby sister kept commenting on my dropping face while I was fighting a fatigue crash). Also headaches are most definitely ruining me much more the past few weeks? My mental health went through the floor, mood swings through the roof and just struggling generally. I spoke to my psyc two weeks ago and she was certain it wasn't actually my normal mental health and certainly more likely ms related. And worst of all spasm attacks. I've had them for years but not ally I'd only have a handful a year. Compaired with the past 4weeks where I'm having them every day if I'm lucky I get a day in-between. Had two back to back on Wednesday night. One right torso and shoulder then the single worst one I've ever had. My neck. We tried to up my Baclofen but it made zero difference to these attacks... Confused because nurse put in a referal to physio but she said I was lower body spasticity... When I never even mentioned my legs once cause it's all my my upper body majority of the time. Compaired with my big standard spasms which are everywhere. It took me two weeks before nurse was available (last Monday)... So last week we were trying the upped dose of baclofen, and she called on friday, nae luck. So that's why she's sent in a physio referal. They've got me in to finally start Gilenya next Monday. It seems they don't want to slow down to get this 'flair' (I'd say it's obviously a relapse at this point) under control. I'm most definitely feeling very lost right now. Not that I ever feel not lost these days.
@Stumbler

@elliesmith , it seems that the Varicella vaccine is a live vaccine so there is always the risk that our MS will "play up". This is due to the vaccine activating our compromised immune system, which causes our MS to flare up. This should be a "pseudo-exacerbation" so should return to your normal once the vaccine is accepted by your immune system. You just need to rest up whilst this process happens. The physio referral is a good idea, to help you get things working again. I wouldn't worry about being referred for lower limb weakness. The physio will work with your specific problems. Be patient whilst these troubled waters settle, then you can get started on the Gilenya, to give you some protection moving forward.

@EllieSmith

@stumbler yeah I knew the risk. My immune system is still too active so knew even more so the risk of a flairs and or relapse. But they gave me no choice but to have it. Problem is at this point I'm 5weeks down. With zero improvement. I should have seen improvement by the end of week 3. I most certainly did with the previous dose (albeit it was much less of a flair). Yeah I'm glad she atleast said anything about physio at all cause it's clear things are setting off. She basically said because I was going into hospital so soon anyway that it was best to just wait and then 'if' it's still a big issue I can mention it there... But like they'll be setting me up for the Gilenya. They haven't even ordered bloods to check the vaccine has taken. My psyc and my gp are concerned (have been since week 3) that there's been no improvement at all if anything it's getting worse when it shouldn't. And that's why I'm most certainly starting to get nervous.