MS Relapse - what should i take to hospital?

[monkeymobocracy]

First relapse that I have noticed and I am going to the hospital but unsure what to pack. The doctor just said to pack a bag?

How long will I have to stay in?

Is there anything I should not take?

Phone charger and a long cable
Lounge wear (i.e. Something a bit more substantial than flimsy nightwear. Or even just a hoodie to wear over PJs)
Refillable water bottle
Lip balm
Money
Book and an easy-to-read magazine.

Good luck x

As well as the above I found a neck fan from Amazon amazing. You aren’t allowed big fans but they let me use it and I ran it off a portable mobile battery. I would also organise things at home if you’re well enough so it’s easy to get people to bring in stuff. Also headphones so you can watch stuff on your phone or iPad

I'm sorry to hear that

I have ms and know how hard things can get

When I went In for a relapse I had steroids in a drip which kept me awake at night so I'd take headphones/iPad and charger

I'd take comfy clothes, pjs, wash bag, wipes, wine gums, bottle of squash and if you have them slipper socks with grips on the bottom

I also like to take my own blanket & pillow if In for a week or so

Second the lip balm. Also, hand cream; hospitals are very arid environments. Ear plugs, the times I've been in overnight, I got little sleep because of other patients having obs done several times. Non-perishable snacks or fruit, if you're normally a snacker, because mealtimes are often far apart.

I hope you're not in too long and get home and recover from the relapse soon

Oh no. I have MS and this is the nightmare scenario. I hope you recover quickly with no lasting effects.

I get very tired when I have a relapse but the main thing for me is phone charger and comfy clothes. I was too tired to read or anything but I’d still take my kindle x

I am so sorry to read so many of us have MS. I literally no no one in real life who has it. Thank you for the help and advice. I have no idea what is going to happen - was completely fine two days ago so its a big shock

theres lots on these lists I didnt know I could even take so thank you so much!!

They'll pop you on the neurology ward and you'll have some great nurses to help

Just take things slow, I had physio when I was there then when discharged was offered a few weeks in a specialist rehabilitation centre

Take some money as there's often a trolley with drinks & mags

Hand hold OP, I have MS too good luck.

I have MS and I went in hospital for my first big relapse to have iv steroids. Was stuck on a lung ward with old ladies with copd which made me very maudlin as I felt so bad for them. Couldn't sleep for noise, stressed out about my kids and home. Got infected arm from drip site.

Next relapse I chose to stay home with steroids by tablet. Was able to sleep and relax without being reminded of everyone's mortality iykwim. I recovered the same amount and at the same rate after both relapses.

Just something to consider op. Unless something has changed drastically since my last relapse there's nothing spectacular that hospital can offer that you couldn't get in the comfort of your own home. All the best for your recovery, take it easy

Thank you so much. literally just waiting for them to say i have a bed

i havent been given an option to stay at home but I think i may need hospital treatment as the spinning has made me quite sick and i think im dehydrated

I am sorry to hear this. My mum had this horrible condition and I wish it would her lost so no one has to go through what she did

I hope its nothing to serious and you are out after a few days.
Maybe a pair of headphones
Download some TV in your phone like amazon prime
A book
Magazine
Pen if you fancy a puzzle
Do you knit or sew.
Water
Snacks maybe as they serve meals early and you might want something later then they serve. Nothing big but something wrapped like a kitkat or biscuits. Take your own tea bags as they might use differnt to whar you like
Maybe a pair of slippers or socks that you are comfortable with.
A teddy I know it might seem silly but at night if your in pain and are fed up something to cuddle works wonders

Keep well

Sorry to hear this lovely. They'll likely give you steroids which give you a horrid metallic taste in your mouth. So some of your favourite sweets if you have them in or can get someone to bring them in for you. As @superstar84 said, the steroids can make you feel bouncily awake so audio book, headphones, download a box set if you can. There's plenty of us on Mumsnet but if you want to chat with lots of MSers Shift MS is a pretty good site

Hand hold from another MS'er here as well. Hopefully they'll get you on some good DMT. I had Alemtuzemab and it's been life changing. (And cured me hayfever)

Ps take some sweets to get rid of the nasty metallic taste from the steroids.

Hope you’re feeling not too bad @monkeymobocracy - another one here with ms. Hoping they get you in soon

Hi fives @Toddlerteaplease on the sweeties and the Alemtuzumab. Life changing for me too.

Hopefully they'll get you on a kick-ass DMT too, OP

Slippers, water bottle, your own blanket, snacks, chargers and phone/kindle/ipod whatever you have. Headphones and audio books are great too.
Moisturising cream and nice pyjamas and lounge wear.
Good luck!

I find Sliders or flip flops better than slippers as bathroom floors in hospitals can be a bit grim. Hope you feel better soon.

ok thank you.

I have zero idea about medication etc - honestly had my head in the sand.

Will they do a scan etc? im not very sure how they have even worked out this is MS related to be honest

Much love .. I have ms too. I found on my relapse audiable on my phone ( so charger and phone and headphones) really helped. Could watch tv with my double vision, shattered so listening to podcasts or books was brilliant.
Take comfy clothes and try and rest rest rest ! Xxx

I’ve just been discharged from hospital (orthopaedic surgery - not MS related). I’d absolutely take some nice snacks as the kitchens may still be running on a reduced menu due to covid. I really wish I’d had some crackers, crisps, cereal bars etc. I was not allowed any visitors because of bastard covid but I was only in for 3 nights so not too bad. I also took one of those little squeezy bottles of squash,

Baby wipes were my salvation for a quick freshen up. It was also air conditioned so a fleecy blanket and plenty of moisturiser / lip balm was helpful.

The long phone / iPad chargers are a game changer.

I really wish I’d had ear plugs!

All the very best x

Just to say .. I'm on tsaybri now and find it life changing it's been amazing xxx

Let us know how you get on, hang in there and we are all here to chat whenever needed xx

The dizziness/vertigo is a fair common symptom so I imagine that there's a good chance it's ms related, but it could be unrelated and I think you should ask them how sure they are.

From the sounds of what you've said, I'm assuming you're fairly recently diagnosed and not yet on any medication? The steroids, if you have them, are just to treat the symptoms of the relapse. They don't do anything to treat the MS but can help you recover quicker. There are possible side effects so they only usually give them for relapses that are making your life unpleasantly difficult.

Once you're feeling better, it'd be a good idea to look into the DMTs (disease modifying treatments) available to you. They are not a cure, but there are a lot of good options out there that can really make a difference to how much the bastard can affect your life.

PS I totally get the head in sand thing. That was me too but the earlier you start, the better outcomes you're likely to have.