Specialised Nurse
**Patient Concern:** Patient reports a sudden worsening of neurological symptoms over the past 72 hours, primarily focusing on increased weakness in her left arm and leg, accompanied by new-onset double vision. She is concerned about a possible MS relapse.
**Current Symptoms:** Patient developed new-onset double vision two days ago, which is constant and worse when looking to the left. Concurrently, she experienced a progressive increase in left-sided weakness, making it difficult to lift her arm above her head and drag her left foot while walking. She describes the weakness as 'heavy' and 'unresponsive'. Sensory changes include numbness and tingling in her left hand and foot, which started yesterday. She also reports a significant increase in fatigue, preventing her from completing usual daily activities. The symptoms represent a marked change from her baseline functioning.
No recent precipitating factors were reported.
The current episode is significantly more severe than previous relapses, which typically involved sensory disturbances only, without such pronounced motor deficits or persistent diplopia. Her baseline functioning involves mild left-sided weakness that is well-managed, but this new presentation is significantly impacting her mobility and vision.
**Review of Systems:**
**Related Symptoms**
**Vision:** Patient reports constant double vision (diplopia), worse on left gaze. No nystagmus noted on observation. Advised to alternate patching one eye if diplopia is too bothersome and to avoid driving.
**Balance and Coordination:** Increased unsteadiness and difficulty maintaining balance, leading to several near-falls. Advised to use her walking stick consistently and to request assistance for ambulation.
**Motor - Upper Limbs:** Significant weakness in the left arm, rated 3/5 on medical research council scale, making overhead tasks impossible. Advised to rest the limb and perform gentle passive range of motion exercises.
**Ambulatory - Lower Limbs and Mobility:** Marked weakness in the left leg, rated 3/5, leading to a noticeable foot drop and difficulty clearing the ground. Patient is now requiring a walking stick for short distances and assistance from family for longer distances. Referral to physiotherapy for assessment and aid provision has been initiated.
**Pain:** Reports no significant pain associated with current symptoms.
**Sensory:** Numbness and tingling in the left hand and foot. No allodynia or dysesthesia reported.
**Bladder:** No new bladder urgency, frequency, or incontinence. Her baseline mild urgency remains unchanged.
**Bowels:** No new bowel incontinence or constipation. Her baseline bowel habits are stable.
**Speech and Swallow:** No changes in speech clarity or swallowing difficulties.
**Cognition:** Reports increased 'brain fog' and difficulty concentrating, which is new and interfering with her ability to follow conversations. Advised cognitive rest and to break down tasks into smaller steps.
**Fatigue:** Severe fatigue, significantly impacting daily activities and rest. Advised to prioritise rest and practice energy conservation techniques.
**In Summary:**
* New onset diplopia
* Increased left-sided motor weakness (arm and leg)
* Left-sided numbness and tingling
* Severe fatigue
* Cognitive impairment ('brain fog')
No constitutional symptoms were reported.
**Past Medical History:** Patient was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) on 15 March 2018, following an initial presentation of unilateral optic neuritis. She has experienced two previous mild relapses in 2019 and 2021, primarily involving transient sensory disturbances in her right hand and leg, which resolved spontaneously without steroid intervention.
No other relevant medical conditions.
**Current Disease Modifying Treatment and Symptom Management Medications:**
* Ocrelizumab 300mg IV every 6 months (last infusion 1 August 2024)
* Amantadine 100mg orally once daily for fatigue
Patient reports excellent adherence to both her Ocrelizumab infusions and daily Amantadine. No recent changes to her medication regimen have occurred.
**Last Imaging:** MRI Brain and Cervical Spine
1 July 2024
New T2 lesions noted in periventricular and juxtacortical regions, with one new gadolinium-enhancing lesion in the left cerebellar peduncle, consistent with active disease. No new spinal cord lesions.
No new imaging requests were made at this time.
**Paraclinical Results:** Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) analysis
15 April 2018
Oligoclonal bands present in CSF, absent in serum. Elevated IgG index. This supported her initial MS diagnosis.
**Physical Examination:** Blood pressure 120/78 mmHg, Heart Rate 72 bpm, Respiratory Rate 16 bpm, Temperature 36.8°C. Oxygen Saturation 98% on room air.
Patient is alert and oriented to person, place, and time. She appears fatigued but is cooperative and able to engage in conversation. Speech is clear, without dysarthria. Affect is appropriate for situation, though she expresses frustration regarding her symptoms.
**Neurological Examination:**
Cranial Nerves: II: Fundi normal, visual acuity 6/9 OU. Confrontational fields full. Ocular movements full, but manifest diplopia on left gaze due to left abducens nerve palsy. Nystagmus absent. Pupils equal, round, reactive to light, no relative afferent pupillary defect. V: Sensation intact to light touch and pinprick in all three divisions bilaterally. Motor: Masseter and temporalis strength 5/5 bilaterally. VII: Symmetrical facial movements. IX, X: Gag reflex present, palate elevates symmetrically. XI: Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius strength 5/5 bilaterally. XII: Tongue midline, no fasciculations. Motor: Left arm: Deltoid 3/5, Biceps 4/5, Triceps 4/5, Wrist flexors/extensors 4/5. Left leg: Hip flexors 3/5, Knee extensors/flexors 4/5, Ankle dorsiflexors 3/5, Plantarflexors 4/5. Right arm and leg: All 5/5. Sensory: Decreased sensation to light touch and pinprick over left C6-T1 and L4-S1 dermatomes. Proprioception intact. Reflexes: Bicep, Tricep, Patellar, Achilles 2+ bilaterally and symmetrical. Plantar reflexes downgoing bilaterally. Coordination: Dysmetria on left finger-to-nose and heel-to-shin testing. Romberg sign positive, gait is ataxic with left foot drop.
**Assessment:** The patient is presenting with a suspected MS relapse, characterised by acute worsening of neurological symptoms involving new motor weakness, sensory changes, diplopia, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction, evolving over the past 72 hours. This presentation meets the criteria for a clinically definite relapse based on dissemination in space and time, given her established diagnosis and new symptoms.
The severity of this relapse is moderate to severe, significantly impacting her mobility, vision, and daily functioning, requiring assistance with ambulation and affecting her concentration.
**Plan:**
* Discuss with Neurology consultant for potential inpatient admission for IV methylprednisolone 1g daily for 3 days.
* Referral to ophthalmology for diplopia assessment and management.
* Referral to occupational therapy for assessment of activities of daily living and provision of adaptive equipment.
* Referral to physiotherapy for mobility assessment and exercise programme tailored to her current deficits.
* Review current fatigue management strategies and consider referral to MS fatigue clinic.
* Arrange follow-up appointment with MS Nurse Specialist in 2 weeks to assess recovery and treatment response.
* Discuss potential adjustments to disease-modifying therapy with Neurology team if relapse frequency or severity increases post-recovery.
**Patient Concern:** [patient's primary concern or reason for call or visit] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
**Current Symptoms:** [detailed description of current symptoms including onset, duration, progression, severity, and characteristics] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
[description of any precipitating factors, triggers, or recent stressors] (If precipitating factors, triggers, or recent stressors are mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, describe them. Otherwise, state that no recent precipitating factors were reported.)
[comparison to previous episodes or baseline functioning] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
**Review of Systems:**
**Related Symptoms**
**Vision:** [vision issues and interventions, advice, or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Balance and Coordination:** [balance and coordination issues and any related advice or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Motor - Upper Limbs:** [upper limb motor symptoms and any related advice or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Ambulatory - Lower Limbs and Mobility:** [lower limb motor symptoms and mobility issues and any related advice or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Pain:** [pain issues and interventions, advice, or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Sensory:** [sensory symptoms] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Bladder:** [bladder issues and interventions, advice, or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Bowels:** [bowel issues and interventions, advice, or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Speech and Swallow:** [speech and swallow issues and interventions, advice, or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Cognition:** [cognitive issues and interventions, advice, or referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Fatigue:** [fatigue symptoms and any related advice] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**In Summary:** [neurological symptoms documented] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)
[constitutional symptoms] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)
**Past Medical History:** [diagnosis date and initial presentation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Do not invent or infer a diagnosis. Write in paragraph format.)
[previous episodes with dates and symptoms] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
[other relevant medical conditions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
**Current Disease Modifying Treatment and Symptom Management Medications:**
[disease-modifying therapies with dosages and duration] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)
[symptomatic treatments and other medications] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)
[medication adherence and any recent changes] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
**Last Imaging:** [type of imaging] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
[date of imaging] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
[imaging findings] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
[imaging requests] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Paraclinical Results:** [relevant laboratory results] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
[date of results] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
[context of results] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this line completely.)
**Physical Examination:** [vital signs] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
[general appearance and mental status] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
[detailed examination findings including relevant neurological assessments] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
[functional assessment scores if performed] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
**Assessment:** [clinical impression regarding current symptoms] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Do not invent or infer a diagnosis. Write in paragraph format.)
[severity assessment and functional impact] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraph format.)
**Plan:** [treatment recommendations including any interventions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)
[diagnostic testing] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)
[follow-up arrangements and monitoring plan] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)
[medication adjustments or disease-modifying therapy considerations] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List as bullet points.)